Sloinnte Gaelacha i logainmneacha bharúntacht Chúil Raithin

The creation of the baronies of Ulster and their subsequent consolidation dates to the late 16th century and the Plantation of Ulster of early years of the 17th century. Current demographics reflect this significant change in the religious and cultural make-up of population of the barony since the 17th century. Before its creation, however, this region called Firnacreeve (Ir. Fir na Craoibhe the men of the branch) and had been controlled by the Cineál Eoghain since the 9th century. By the beginning of the 12th century, the Ó Catháin (En: O’Kane) had become the dominant family of the Cineál Eoghain and controlled what would be known as “O’Cahan’s Country”. The purpose of this article is to explain the derivations of the now anglicised townland names of the barony which come from Gaelic surnames extant in the area during the pre-Plantation era. Dominant surnames of Cineál Eoghain such as Ó Catháin (En: O'Kane) and Ó Maoláin (En: Mullan) appear respectively in Ballycaghan (Ir. Baile Uí Chatháin The territory of the O'Kanes) and Ballywoolen (Ir. Baile Uí Mhaoláin The territory of the (O')Mullans). The article provides important insights into the social composition of the region in pre-Plantation times and also discusses population trends in early Gaelic society.