`Cead Mile Failte`
                                    [Gaelic]
                              `A Thousand Welcomes`
                              [english translation]

Cuimhnigi ar Ar sinnsir
                                     [Gaelic] 
                              Remember our Ancestors
                               [english translation]

History of the Family Name
                 
                                    O`Leary
                               Gaelic: O`Laoghaire
  
  Spelling variations include O`Leary, Leary, Lary, O`Leery, O`Laoghire,  O`Laoire, and O`Laeghairi.
  
  The surname `O`Leary` is obviously of Irish origin, meaning `Son of Leary`.  It originates from one of the best-known personal names from ancient Ireland,  the Gaelic `Laoghaire`, meaning` Calf-herder`. First found in county Cork  where they held a family seat from ancient times. Like many Gaelic sept`s they  were driven from their original habitat at the time of the Anglo-Norman  invasion at the end of the twelfth century. They did not migrate far only from  Corca Laoidhe in the southwest of Cork into Inchigeela in the same county, a  remote mountainous territory with the lofty Kerry mountains in sight to the  west of them. Here they long ruled as chiefs and possessed several castles,  including those of Carrigafooky, Carrignaneelagh, Carrignacurra, Dundarierk,  and Drumcurragh under the paramount Muskerry Mac Carthy`s. This area remained  the home of the Clan right up to the final destruction of the Gaelic Order in  1690, and although many of the individual families emigrated to other lands,  there has always remained a substantial core of O`Leary`s in this Parish today.  The O`Leary name is believed to be traceable back to the third century to Luy  Maccon, king of Ireland, and founder of the Corca Laoidhe tribe who occupied  the South West corner of County Cork. By the twelfth century it is believed  that the Corca Laoidhe tribe can be divided into seven sub-kings under the  provincial king. One of the seven sub-divisions is called Tuath Ruis in  Dolaich. Its chieftain is O`Laegaire and its territory is around the present  city of Rosscarbery.