The Gleason's - - "A Valiant Clan, Warlike in Pursuit"

In Ireland, the name Gleason is found throughout the province of Munster and is derived from the original surname Glaisine, pronounced "GLASH-inn-eh." The Fragmentary Annals of Ireland, written by Christian monks in the early half of the 11th century, records the tribal king's death in 906 AD - at the height of the Viking Age.

"AD 906 The death of Glaisine son of Uisine, King of Ui Meic-Caille."

Original Irish source (3rd line from top)

English translation
(last line at bottom)

Also celebrated by the 15th century bard O'Heerin, Glaisine is described as "a chief of "Ui Meic-Caille" who co-ruled the barony of Imokilly, which is located on the eastern seacoast of County Cork near the modern day town of Youghal (pronounced "Yall.")

"A valiant clan, warlike in pursuit,
Ruled Imokilly of the hospitable banquets
two tribes possessed the smooth plains
O'Bregan and the fair O'Glasin."

Original Irish source: The Topographical Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na naomh O'Huidhrin (O'Heerin) by John More O'Dugan.
English source (4th paragraph): Foras Feasa ar eirinn by Seathrun Ceitinn a.k.a. "The History of Ireland by Geoffrey Keating."

Glas is a nickname found with a variety of meanings, including green, grey, or pale.
O'Bregan comes from "Breoghan," considered the root of the common surname Brown.

Click on the map above to link to Ireland's History in Maps found at www.rootsweb.com

a glimpse...

"Bitter is the wind tonight. It tosses the oceans white hair.
Tonight I fear not the fierce warriors of Norway. Coursing on the Irish sea."
Poem from "The Irish Priscian manuscript of St. Gallen" 850 AD
Picture from the illuminated manuscript "Miscellany on the Life of St. Edmund" 1130 AD

Drawn After The Quick - anonymous woodcut 15th century

From the Codice De Trajes manuscript 1547 AD

The Meeting of the Earl of Gloucester and Art MacMurrough, 1399

"MacSweyne Dines as the Bard Recites" - John Derricke, 1581

"Irish as they stand accoutred being at the service of the late King Henry"
Lucas d'Heere, circa 1575

16th century dress (left) and 9th century dress (right)

Ballyglasheen Castle

The castle is protected with a very fine machicolation, or "Murder Hole"
Ballyglasheen Castle is located at latitude 52.378532, longitude -7.59181 in the town of Ballyglasheen Cross, County Tipperary, Ireland
Ballyglasheen Cross is only 29 kilometers away from Ballyglasheen, Caherabbey Lower

The Gleason Coat of Arms features sable (black) on bend argent (silver) and three mullets (five-pointed stars) gules (red.)

*** quick surf check ***

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