Ó Ceallaigh


Ó Ceallaigh is the most influential dynasty of the ancient túath of Uí Maine, and the original Irish Gaelic name for the surname commonly Anglicized as Kelley, Kelly, or Kellie. It is a name meaning "Descendant of Ceallach," "bright haired," or "troublesome." Though some have linked it to the old Irish "ceall" for "church."
Ceallach was the son of Finnachta, a chief of the Hy Many people around A.D. 874. Another notable chieftain, Tadhg Mór Ó Ceallaigh, was killed at the famous Battle of Clontarf, where he and his ally Brian Boru defeated the Viking raiders.
Many members of the Ó Ceallaigh clan are directly descended from the Kings of Uí Maine, and the clan itself is the largest and senior-most ruling family of Uí Maine.
The earliest parts of the O'Kelly genealogy are contained in the Book of Hy Many, which was written in the 14th century. Its compilation was the idea of William O'Kelly, a chief of Hy Many. The book is now kept in the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin.

Castles & Structures of the Ó Ceallaigh

Counties associated with the name include: