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The McCain Keane clans

By
LIAM MORIARTY
,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Sunday, September 13, 2009, 9:02 PM
Updated Sunday, September 13, 2009, 10:04 PM

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The McCain-Keane clans | Irish Clans and Irish Family Crests | IrishCentral




Read more: John McCain, Charles Foster Kane, Roy Keane, William Keane, Dolores Keane, Ireland, United Kingdom, John Keane, Robert Kane, Ciaran O'Reilly
John McCain

The McCain family name originated in the Gaelic as O'Cathain, and is derived from Cathain, who was a ninth century ancestor of the King of Tara. Conchobar, son of Fergal Mac Mael Duin of the O'Neills, formed the O'Cahan sept, which came to be known as the "Warrior Clan of Ulster."

The O'Cahan clan served as subordinate kings to the O'Neills who granted them the titles "King of Kianaght, King of Limavaday, and King of Fir-na-Creabh." The last chieftain of the O'Cahans, Donnell Ballagh O'Cahan, was inaugurated in 1598. Donnell joined Hugh O'Neill against the English and eventually lost most of his estate and holdings. He changed allegiance to King James I only to be held prisoner in the Tower of London until his death in 1617.

Over the years the family name developed into many variants including Keane, Kane, Keaney, McCain, McCloskey and others. The McCain crest motto is Felis demulcta mitis, which translates "The stroked cat is meek."

Echlin O'Cathain or O'Kane (1729-1790) was born in Drogheda and became an exceptional harpist and singer. He was trained by Cornelius Lyons and played in many courts in France and Spain.

In 19th century theater, Shakespearean actor Edmund Kean (1787-1833) commanded the stage with unique facial mobility and a booming, rough voice. He debuted in 1814 at Drury Lane as Shylock in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, and went on to play a number of leading roles in Shakespearean plays including Othello, Macbeth, and Richard III. Edmund's reputation suffered after 1822 due to an adultery suit against him, and he passed away in England in 1833.

Another notable performer of the O'Cahan clan is Dolores Keane, the traditional Irish folksinger. Dolores was born in Caherlistrane, County Galway and began her musical career at the age of five. She found early recognition when was invited by Johnny Moynihan into the band De Danann where she remained for four years. She then immigrated to England where she met her husband, John Faulkner, and also released her first solo album, There Was a Maid. Dolores has played with a number of Irish bands including Planxty and The Chieftains and was featured on the 1998 Pete Seeger tribute album, Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

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The McCain-Keane clans | Irish Clans and Irish Family Crests | IrishCentral


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