Hingertys on the Move in 1602

Hingerty is one of the anglicised forms of the Gaelic name Ohiongardail which was often anglicised to Harrington.

A map of the clans of South West Ireland in the 12th century presented on the County Kerry Website  ( from MacLysaght More Irish Families p 236) shows O'Hingerdill (Harrington) occupying lands close to those of the O'Sullivans in County Cork (look just under the letter C in CORK).

In 1577 John MacTeige O'Hingerltye of Dunbeacon, County Cork is granted a pardon on payment of a fine of one cow.

When the Hearth Tax lists of 1667 are compiled in County Tipperary, there are Hingurtie, Hingortye, Hingirdill, Hingerville and Hingortye listed.

How and why did the Hingertys move from Cork to Tipperary between 1577 and 1667?

One likely explanation is that they were allies of Donal Cam O'Sullivan Beare and fled north with him after the defeats and massacres in Cork at the end of the Nine Years War.

Donal Cam O'Sullivan Beare fled north with a group of 1000 soldiers, supporters and family in the bitter cold of December 1602 realising that he and his surviving people had no other option. If they stayed it was certain death by execution. To flee was equally dangerous given the time of year, the destruction of the countryside and the warning given to all that they would be severely punished if they gave aid to the marchers. The marchers suffered many privations and were constantly harried and attacked throughout their journey. Only 35 struggled into the safety of Leitrim Fort  (18 soldiers, 16 supporters and 1 woman) after a 14 day trek.

Many had died through exhaustion, attacks and the severe conditions. Some were wounded and exhausted and had been left by the side of the road. Some had deserted. Some had decided to take their chances by staying at various points along the way.

It is possible that the Hingertys of northern Tipperary are the descendants of those who decided to stay along the way.

How can we be sure that there were Hingertys/Harringtons amongst the marchers? 

In the detailed account written by Donal's nephew Philip soon after the events took place (translated and published in 1903), he described a skirmish that took place soon after the group crossed the Shannon River. It is reported that one Donagh O'Hinguerdel cut off the right hand of one of the leaders of the royalist attackers. The tide of the battle turned and the O'Sullivans won the day and moved on towards safety at Leitrim Fort.

So, not only was there at least one Hingerty amongst the marchers, he assisted in at least one of the victories along the way!

Please click on the links to the following references if you would like to learn more about this important part of the Hingerty story.

* For a summary timeline and geography of the March, read the following blog post

* the March is noted in the Annals of the Four Masters (no mention of O'Hingerdels) Link to the Annals

* To celebrate the 400th anniversary of the March a re enactment video was made which details the main events of the march.  

* For an account of how the march fits into the wider context of the history of the O'Sullivan Clan watch the O'Sullivan Clan History video  (the March is around minute 9.00 - 12.05)

* For the full account written by Donal's nephew Philip in the 1600s, you can read the translation in English (from the Latin) published in 1903 Ireland Under Elizabeth See page 169 to read about Donagh.

* Sit back and relax for a few minutes and revel in the glorious music of The Chieftans as they play the traditional O'Sullivan's March  (as performed in 1984) 

* If you want to retrace the footsteps of those early Hingertys as they trekked north from Cork- walk the Beara Breifne way

To make a comment, ask a question, or add more information about this episode in Hingerty family history- 

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hingerty@one-name.org