NIR-DERRY-L Archives

From: "Jane Lyons" <>
Subject: [Derry] 1793-mid 1800's - people: 3
Date: Sat, 16 Dec 2000 16:47:45 -0000

The MacMorough O'Cavenagh family as Kings and Princes of Leinster founded
many religious houses and establishments throughout their territory. Among
the numerous Kings or Princes of the race, none were more renowned for
wisdom, bravery, statesmanship or nobleness of character than Art the
Second. He fooled and humiliated the vainglorious Richard of England, who
landed with an army of 30,000 men and 4,000 archers led by a numerous brood
of knights and favourite courtiers, whom the wily prince of Leinster
attacked and harassed so incessantly when they attempted to pass through the
bogs and defiles of Wicklow and Carlow, that Richard was obliged to seek
terms from the MacMorrough in order to pass northwards to Dublin. Few of
this great host that accompanied King Richard ever saw their native England
again. A French historian who accompanied King Richard in his expedition
gives an interesting description of Art Mac Morrough as he appeared mounted
on his milk white steed to meet Earl Mowbrey, Grand Marshall of England.
Art proudly refused to treat with an inferior. The Earl Marshall returned
with this answer to the Haughty King who flew into a rage and threatened
MacMorrough with a terrible chastisement. Richard's vain boasting had
little effect on the Prince of Leinster. After finding his efforts
unsuccessful in making his way northward towards Dublin, he was obliged to
make terms with MacMorrough to allow him and his army to pass through to
Dublin.
Some of the MacMorrough O'Cavenagh Clan like many of their countrymen passed
over to France. Some of whose descendants attained high honors in the
armies of that country. At the time of the Revolution of 1848 one of the
race was Governor of Paris whose coolness and tact saved France from being
overwhelmed by the Red Republicans. The French pronounce the name as
Cavaignic. This Cavaignic, Governor of Paris in 1848, had a brother who was
Governor of one of the French Colonies at the same time.

Many of the race of O'Cavenagh have attained to high rank in the various
associations of life. Some of them have filled high positions in the Church
and their piety and learning have added luster to the Land of Saints. The
name is quite numerous in Leinster especially around Dublin.
Dedicated to the Memory of Michael O'Cavenagh by his devoted Grandson


Thomas Devine

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• [Derry] 1793-mid 1800's - people: 3 by "Jane Lyons" <>