Irish roots: The O'Sullivan clan

right now a litttle overwhelmed

The O'Sullivans - Ó Súileabháin in Irish - is the 3rd most plentiful name in Ireland (the whole country) and it has an illistrous history on both sides of the Atlantic.In addition to the famous Sullivans named abobe, there was Rev. War General John O'Sullivan (of Limerick & Cork parentage) who has 4 counties names in his honor, and his brother James founded Limerick, Maine. Heavyweight boxer Joxer John L. Sullivan dominated the American boxing scene in the late 1800s. (At a dinner in Canada, he refused to drink a toast to the Prince of Wales, because "No true Irishman ever toasts a member iof England's Royal Family", (his words). Journalist John Sullivan coined the popular phrase "manifest destiny". There were the well known five Sullivan Brothers who were all killed as U.S salors when hei ship was sunk in W.W.11. More recently there was a female astronaut Sullivan, who after returning from a space flight was asked what her thougtts were at she looked at the lights in Long Island from her space ship. Rher response: "It occurred to me that there are a lot of Sullivans down there".

Another O'Sullivan from County Cork. Great-grandfather, Eugene O'Sullivan emigrated to Maine in the 1850's and was killed at the Battle of Cold Harbor as a Union Soldier in the Civil War. Still waiting for my reperations. Oh, never mind, we just moved ahead on our own.

My Dad was from County Cork (Jeremiah O'Sullivan). Any other County Cork O'Sullivans out there?

as a 37 year old osullivan living in england with a young family i will definatley pass this information on to my children many thanks

Having been born in NY and being an O'Sullivan, I'd really like to know that none of the history of these famous O'Sullivans was not taught in my parochial schools or the public colleges I attended in the US. I think it should! I will definitely pass this article along to my relatives and friends-- thanks to author James Ryan and Irish Central!

Because my wife is an O'Sullivan, I did some research, and my theory is that the O'Sullivans are desendents of Milesius, 13th removed from Adam & Eve. And because Milesius won many battles for the Irish Kings, he was given a large track of land for a wedding present when he married Scotia, and named that track of land after his wife, that is now known as Scotland.

Interesting.....my great grandmother was a Sullivan

We are a pretty distinguished lot-but I already knew that since I'm a Sneem Sullivan and proud of it!

Very intersting article!

Looks and Brains how great is that !!!!! Go Irish.