McGillycuddy of the Reeks

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The McGillycuddy of the Reeks (Irish: Mac Giolla Mochuda) is the hereditary Chief of the Name of McGillycuddy, a family originating around MacGillycuddy's Reeks, a range of mountains (reeks) in County Kerry in Ireland.

History[]

The McGillycuddys were a cadet sept of the O'Sullivans who about 1600 adopted the surname Mac Giolla Chuda, anglicised into McGillycuddy. In legend, a seventh-century O'Sullivan Mór sent his trusted son, Mac Giolla, to be educated under the tutelage of Saint Mochuda at Lismore. He hence became known as O'Sullivan Mac Giolla Mochuda.

In the mid-20th century, in the early years of the BBC, the broadcaster forbade mention of the McGillycuddy of the Reeks on comedy variety programmes. The BBC Green Book of standards instructed: "Do not mention the McGillycuddy of the Reeks or make jokes about his name."^[1]

Recent chiefs[]

• Ross McGillycuddy (1882–1950), educated at Fettes College and RMA Woolwich, joined Royal Field Artillery, posted to India and earned his Jacket. Played rugby for RMA and for Kent County vs. Springboks on their first tour in 1906. They played 28 matches, winning 25. Married Helen Grace Courage, of Shenfield Place, Essex in 1908. Became a Lieutenant colonel, 4/7th Royal Dragoon Guards (United Kingdom), witnessed the first action of the Great war on 23/8/14 at Casteau when a colleague was ordered to go after an Ulan patrol with his sword, which he did with fatal consequences for the Ulan. The sword is in the regimental museum at Tidworth. Awarded D.S.O. and Legion d'Honneur for improving the mobility of the Vickers machine gun. Ordered by Brigadier de Lisle to form the first 36 Companies of the Machine Gun Corps. Retired to Ireland on his Father's death in 1921 and became a County Kerry County Councillor and member of the Seanad Éireann (Irish Free State) throughout its existence (1922–1936) and the modern Seanad from its 1938 revival until 1943. During WW2, he was at the same time a Senator, an officer in the British Army, and Chief of the Name . The Annals of the Four Masters records that in A.D. 234 Prince Oilill Olum, King of Munster died. He was the 43rd direct descendant of Milidh, or Milesius, who died in 1284 BC. Thus in legend and in history, the line of the most distinguished families of Munster traces back over 3,300 years. After he complained to the BBC, its 1949 Policy Guide For Writers and Producers contained the stricture 'Do not mention the McGillycuddy of the Reeks or make jokes about his name'.
• John McGillycuddy (1909 - 1959), educated at Eton, a British Army officer Major wounded in the Second World War. Company Director.
• Richard Denis Wyer McGillycuddy (1948–2004), lived in London and France. Educated at Eton and Grenoble University. m. Virginia Astor and had two daughters but no son and heir.
• Donough McGillycuddy (born 1939), the current Chief of the Name.direct descendant of O'Sullivan Mór and Baron Doonebo. His father, Dermot was a younger son of Ross McGillycuddy.^[2] Donough was born in Bishopscourt, County Kildare, educated at Eton, and for a trimèstre at Neuchâtel University. He served in the , m. Wendy O'Connor Spencer, of Winwick Manor and has 4 offspring. His tánaiste (heir) is his eldest son Piers Donough Edward George McGillycuddy (born 1965), owner of Terracast.uk and living in Spain. 2ndly, Michael, lives in London, and 3rdly, Jocelyn lives in Johannesburg. Daughter, Lavinia lives in Ireland. Donough was owner / manager, Warwickshire Pheasantries then the autonomous agent for Gilbertson and Page Ltd (Petfood manufacture and distribution). Moved to South Africa in 2002 to farm and do horticulture for local SPAR. He returned to Ireland in 2015 following his wife's death in 2013, before joining the Benton Jones family at Irnham in 2017. Aged 81 in 2020, he looks after the Irnham herd of cattle, helps on the land and garden for 'Irnham weddings'. Noted historian and author of two books on South Africa, (SA Reflections on a revolution, and 'Mass murder on the Mine' (Marikana).

See also[]

Other Munster families:

• MacCarthy Mor
• O'Callaghan
• O'Donoghue
• O'Donovan
• O'Brien dynasty
• O'Grady of Kilballyowen

Notes[]

References[]

• Curley, Walter J.P., Vanishing Kingdoms: The Irish Chiefs and their Families. Dublin: Lilliput Press. 2004.
• W.M.Brady, D.D. 'The McGillycuddy Papers.

External links[]

• Website of the current McGillycuddy of the Reeks (archived)