Notable Bearers of the Tierney name
Tighearnach, a Royal Gaelic Chief or King, son of Muireadach, son of Eoghan, who lived about 480 AD. Muireadach was the ninetieth ruler after Heremon, who was one of the sons of Milesius of Spain [further details are contained in the Clan Archives]. Tighearnach was the ancestor of the Cineal Tighearnach and it was from this King Tighearnach that the name O'Tighearnaigh derived. The O' meaning from, or descended from-Tighearnach, and anglicized Tierney.
Tighearnach, was King of Southern Bréaga about 845 AD. Bréaga was a powerful kingdom situated in present day counties of Meath and Westmeath in an area between the River Boyne and the River Liffey. He lived in a fortified Crannog in Lagore [or Lough Gower]. It is mentioned in the ancient Annals that in 848 A.D. he and his forces won a great victory over the Norse.
In 1273 Florence O’Tierney was Bishop of Kilfenora and in 1372 Cornelius O’Tierney became Bishop of Kerry. Near Clones in County Monaghan there is both a cemetery, a ruined church and a round tower dedicated to Saint Tighearnach. St. Tighearnach, was an Abbot and Bishop of Clones and died on 4th. April 548/9.
Near Banbridge in County Down is a ‘Lisnatierny’, or in English, Tierny's Fort. This is a ‘ring fort’, an ancient hilltop fortification. Also in the same area is a Tierny Road, proof that the Clan had some significant attachment with the place.
Teigh O'Tierna of Kilconane, Lisboney, 'Captain of his Nation' [the English name for Chieftain] is listed in the 'Irish Fiants' for pardons 1601 to 1603. This would have been on account of the part played by him in leading his troops in the wars of the period against the English Crown. His request for pardon must have been relatively successful because in the Civil Survey of 1654 for the Parish of Lisbony there is listed a Murogh Tierney, albeit with vastly reduced property.
The best-known Tierney was an English Statesman, George Tierney M.P. (1761-1830), whose father was a Limerick man. In 1802 in Addington’s ministry he was made Treasurer of The Navy. In 1806 he was made President of the Board of Control. He once fought a duel with The British Prime Minister Pitt, who had accused him of obstruction. Most remarkable were the brothers Matthew Tierney (1776-1845), and Edward Tierney (1780-1856). They were sons of a small County Limerick farmer and both attained astonishing success in their respective careers. Sir Matthew rose from being an apothecary’s apprentice at Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, to become one of the leading doctors in England and ‘Physician in Ordinary’ to the Kings of England, George IV and William IV. He was created a Baronet in 1818. The armorial depicted on the left is that awarded to Sir Matthew upon his creation as Baronet. Sir Edward, who inherited his brother’s baronetcy by special patent, remained in Ireland where he became the Crown Solicitor for Ulster. Upon the death of Lord Egmont, whose agent he was, Sir Edward, under the terms of the will acquired the extensive Egmont Estates in County Cork. However some years after Sir Edwards’s death the Lord Egmont will in his favour was challenged and as a result the estates eventually reverted to the Egmont family. The Arms on the right are those of Sir Edward.
Mark Aloysius Tierney (1795-1862) was a R.C. Priest and historian. He was ordained in 1818 and became Chaplain to the 12th. Duke of Norfold. He opposed Cardinal Wiseman and Papal domination. He edited Dodd’s Church History of England (1839-1843).
Very Rev. Dr. Michael Tierney (1839-1908) was born in Ballylooly, Cahir, County Tipperary. In 1866 he was ordained a R.C. Priest and was appointed as rector of Hartford Cathedral. He was consecrated Bishop of Hartford in 1894. Rev. Dr. Tierney was a dedicated apostle of the church and during his time as Bishop he was responsible for the building of St. Thomas’s Seminary, Bloomfield and for several schools and hospitals.
Father Richard Henry Tierney S.J. (1870-1928) belonged to a County Tipperary family and was the editor of ‘America’.
Dr. Michael Tierney [1894 to 1975] was born in Ballymacward, County Galway. He was a renowned academic, scholar, politician, historian and was President of University College Dublin.
Tighearnach, was King of Southern Bréaga about 845 AD. Bréaga was a powerful kingdom situated in present day counties of Meath and Westmeath in an area between the River Boyne and the River Liffey. He lived in a fortified Crannog in Lagore [or Lough Gower]. It is mentioned in the ancient Annals that in 848 A.D. he and his forces won a great victory over the Norse.
In 1273 Florence O’Tierney was Bishop of Kilfenora and in 1372 Cornelius O’Tierney became Bishop of Kerry. Near Clones in County Monaghan there is both a cemetery, a ruined church and a round tower dedicated to Saint Tighearnach. St. Tighearnach, was an Abbot and Bishop of Clones and died on 4th. April 548/9.
Near Banbridge in County Down is a ‘Lisnatierny’, or in English, Tierny's Fort. This is a ‘ring fort’, an ancient hilltop fortification. Also in the same area is a Tierny Road, proof that the Clan had some significant attachment with the place.
Teigh O'Tierna of Kilconane, Lisboney, 'Captain of his Nation' [the English name for Chieftain] is listed in the 'Irish Fiants' for pardons 1601 to 1603. This would have been on account of the part played by him in leading his troops in the wars of the period against the English Crown. His request for pardon must have been relatively successful because in the Civil Survey of 1654 for the Parish of Lisbony there is listed a Murogh Tierney, albeit with vastly reduced property.
The best-known Tierney was an English Statesman, George Tierney M.P. (1761-1830), whose father was a Limerick man. In 1802 in Addington’s ministry he was made Treasurer of The Navy. In 1806 he was made President of the Board of Control. He once fought a duel with The British Prime Minister Pitt, who had accused him of obstruction. Most remarkable were the brothers Matthew Tierney (1776-1845), and Edward Tierney (1780-1856). They were sons of a small County Limerick farmer and both attained astonishing success in their respective careers. Sir Matthew rose from being an apothecary’s apprentice at Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, to become one of the leading doctors in England and ‘Physician in Ordinary’ to the Kings of England, George IV and William IV. He was created a Baronet in 1818. The armorial depicted on the left is that awarded to Sir Matthew upon his creation as Baronet. Sir Edward, who inherited his brother’s baronetcy by special patent, remained in Ireland where he became the Crown Solicitor for Ulster. Upon the death of Lord Egmont, whose agent he was, Sir Edward, under the terms of the will acquired the extensive Egmont Estates in County Cork. However some years after Sir Edwards’s death the Lord Egmont will in his favour was challenged and as a result the estates eventually reverted to the Egmont family. The Arms on the right are those of Sir Edward.
Mark Aloysius Tierney (1795-1862) was a R.C. Priest and historian. He was ordained in 1818 and became Chaplain to the 12th. Duke of Norfold. He opposed Cardinal Wiseman and Papal domination. He edited Dodd’s Church History of England (1839-1843).
Very Rev. Dr. Michael Tierney (1839-1908) was born in Ballylooly, Cahir, County Tipperary. In 1866 he was ordained a R.C. Priest and was appointed as rector of Hartford Cathedral. He was consecrated Bishop of Hartford in 1894. Rev. Dr. Tierney was a dedicated apostle of the church and during his time as Bishop he was responsible for the building of St. Thomas’s Seminary, Bloomfield and for several schools and hospitals.
Father Richard Henry Tierney S.J. (1870-1928) belonged to a County Tipperary family and was the editor of ‘America’.
Dr. Michael Tierney [1894 to 1975] was born in Ballymacward, County Galway. He was a renowned academic, scholar, politician, historian and was President of University College Dublin.