Re: What is the FEENEY history
-
In reply to:
What is the FEENEY history
Ashley Feeney 6/09/01
Ned Cully's response to your question is an excellent and informative reply.To add a bit more the name Feeney(the O seems to have been dropped by most) in its earlier form was O Fiannaidhe which is translated by some as soldier and by others warrior (warrior seems to reflect the meaning more closely).Feeney is/was a Sept of the Ui Fiachrach of Connacht. As Ned noted its origin is usually attributed to the County Sligo area but is now associated with County Galway where it is quite common, and I believe County Roscommon has a couple of BallyFeeneys.It is said to have been a more common name prior to England's "Good Queen Bess" and her efforts to thin the native population in girth and numbers.