The Dermody Family

(Crest No. 239. Plate 53.)

THE Dermody family is descended from Milesius, King of Spain, through the line of his son Heremon. The founder of the family was Eogan, ancestor of the Northern Hy Nials, and son of Nial of the Nine Hostages, King of Ireland, A. D. 379. The ancient name was Dubhdiarma, and signifies “Dark Dermot.” The possessions of the sept were located in the present Counties of Donegal and Tipperary. The Dermodys were Chiefs of Breadach, which comprised the parishes of Upper and Lower Moville, in the barony of Innishowen. The name of this district is still preserved in the small River Bredag, which falls into Lough Foyle.

Thomas Dermody, the poet, was a native of Ennis, in the County of Clare. His poems were at one time much esteemed and praised, but are now almost forgotten. He was patronized and befriended by many influential personages, but could not be weaned from his reckless life and irregular habits. He died in England, abandoned and in poverty, in 1802, in his twenty-seventh year.