O'Davoren

The O'Davorens were an important family, or sept, of County Clare since medieval times and were based in the Burren. Known for their sponsorship of schools and knowledge of history and Brehon law, they were known throughout Ireland as a literary family and held estates in the Burren down to the mid seventeenth century at the time of the Cromwellian confiscations.[1].

The O'Davoren law school at Cahermacnaghten has been the subject of archaeological and historical interest and its remains are still extant. The law school operated in the sixteenth and seventeenth century, with a Giolla na naomh og O Dabhoireann being recorded as one of its chief owners in the seventeenth century. The O'Davorens were recorded as still holding Cahermacnaghten in 1659, along with 13 Irish tenants. [2]

Early Origins

The O'Davorens, like the O'Hehirs and some other septs west of the Shannon in County Clare Ireland, belonged to the Eoghanacht stock claiming name and descent from the son of Aengus, King of Cashel, slain 957. The family settled in Burren in mediaeval times, exact date unknown. We first hear of them as hereditary ollamhs to the O'Loghlens of that district, who are of the race of Fergus mac Roigh, of Ulster. The earliest reference to them in print is in the Annals of the Four Masters under the year 1364, where the death of Giollananaomh Ua Duibhdabhoireann, ollamh of Corcomdhruadh in Brehon law, is recorded.

There is little reason to doubt that members of the sept held this high and responsible office continuously down to the general debacle, which followed the rising of 1641. They were scholars by descent and profession, and their glory was achieved by the pen, not by the sword.

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