Kennedy family genealogy
Of Tirowen
[1] Arms: Ar. on a fesse az. three mullets of the field.
DIARMAID, brother of Flaithbheartach who is No. 97 on the "Morley" pedigree, was the ancestor O'Cineadhaigh, of Tirowen; anglicised Kennedy.
97. Diarmaid: son of Conchobhar.
98. Baoghal: his son; had a brother named Maolpadraic.
99. Cineadhach ("cineadh:" Irish, decreeing; "ach," a skirmish): son of Baoghal; a quo O'Cineadhaigh.
Notes
[1] Kennedy: The name of Cornet Thomas Kennedy does not appear in Mr. Dalton's "King James's Army List;" but the omission of the name must have been a mistake. It is believed that the Cornet's family was a branch of the O'Kennedys of Ormond, which, in the 16th century, settled in Dublin, where they became wealthy merchants, and after whom "Kennedy's Land" has been named. This officer commenced his military career as Cornet in Tyrconnell's own Regiment of Horse, who appointed him one of his Aides-de-Camp, and presented him with his own miniature; a relic still in the Kennedy family. At the capitulation of Limerick, he retired to France, where he rose to the rank of Colonel; and in 1706 married the daughter of a Dutch Noble, after which he resided in Brussels. He was in 1718 accidentally killed by the Duchess of Oldenberg, who, driving in his carriage to a hunt, saw a wild boar cross the road, and in firing at it the barrel of her fowling piece burst, and mortally wounded the colonel. He had three children by his wife, two of whom are considered to have died young; because, when his widow came to Ireland in 1720 she is said to have been accompanied by her son.
1. Cornet Thomas Kennedy married Elizabeth Von Vryberge, and had:
2. Marinus James, who lived in France, and was active in the service of Prince Charles Edward Stuart, the "Pretender;" returned to Ireland, and in 1763 was strangled in Clondalkin Castle, county Dublin, for sake of some gold he was known to keep in his house. He m. Henrietta Creagh, niece to Duke of Ormond, and had:
I. Thomas, of whom presently.
II. Walter, a poet of some talent. Taking advantage of the "Gavel Act," he divided the family in 1776, and died in 1790, leaving:
I. Marinus-James, who served in the German and Spanish Armies. On the admission of Roman Catholics to the English Army, he was appointed to the 18th Royal Irish Regiment, and killed in 1811 in Java. It does not appear that he left any issue.
3. Thomas: elder son of Marinus-James (No. 2); was apprenticed to a merchant in Amsterdam; lived some time in Cadiz; returned to Dublin; was a great musician. He m. in 1764 Frances-Arabella, dau. of Doctor Fergus, an eminent Roman Catholic Physician, and representative of the Irish Sept called Clan Fergus. (See the "Ferguson" pedigree, ante, p. 448). He d. 1791, leaving two sons:
I. Marinus, a distinguished Trinity College man, who d. in 1852 or 1853, s.p.
II. Macarius.
4. Macarius: son of Thomas; was a solicitor; m. and had:
I. Thomas, a barrister, and member of the original "Comet Club;" he d. in 1840, s. p.
II. Marinus.
III. Macarius, of whom presently.
IV. Philip.
5. Macarius: third son of Macarius (No. 4); served in the Portuguese Army in 1832-3 & 4; m. and had:
6. James Marinus Kennedy, of Clondalkin, co. Dublin; d. at 15 Lower Mount Street, Dublin, on 29th July, 1876.