The Haughey clan

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Former Taoiseach Charles Haughey

Photo by EC

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The name Haughey is another Gaelic name, in this case deriving from the Irish O'hEachaidh.

The clan were prominent in both Donegal and Armagh. The name has been anglicized in several forms in different areas and is now found as Haughey, Haffey, Hoy and Hoey.

The family were very prominent in Ulster, until the end of the 12th century when they were subdued by their kinsmen the McDunlevys.

The name does not feature prominently among the biographies of Irish, or indeed Irish-American notables. However, one that is now certain to enter lists of Irish biographies is the retired Taoiseach of Ireland, Charles Haughey. Born in Castlebar, County Mayo in 1925 and raised in Dublin, he led Ireland's largest party, Fianna Fail, for 12 years, during which time he was one of the most controversial leaders of the party and the country.

Although American lists of notables do not feature a Haughey, it is probable that Margaret Haughery (1811-1882) bore a variant of this name. She was born Margaret Gaffney in Cavan and moved to the United States as a child, and later became Margaret Haughery by marriage. After the death of her Irish husband and small child, she started a dairy in New Orleans and through her natural shrewdness she greatly developed this business, and later a bakery. She devoted all her resultant wealth to the maintenance of orphan children, and built and maintained three orphan homes, holding 600 children. She is commemorated by a statue standing in Margaret Place, named in her honor.

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