The Kenny Family

John Rooney

A Genealogical History of Irish Families

1895

Kenny family crest

(Crest No. 178. Plate 56.)

THE Kenny family is descended from Milesius, King of Spain, through the line of his son Ir. The founder of the family was Conal Kearnach, the celebrated warrior, son of Amergin, fourth in degree from the Chieftain Rory O’More, who gave his name to his tribe in Ulster, B. C. 87. The ancient name was Kenny and signifies “The Weary.”

Kenny family crest

(Crest No. 219. Plate 59.)

The possessions of the sept were located in the present County of Donegal. They were chiefs in Moy Ith, situated partly in the barony of Raphoe, Donegal, and partly in the barony of Tirkerran, in Derry. There were also chiefs of the name in Iorras, now the barony of Erris, in Mayo, and in Muintir Cionaith, a district in the barony of Moycarnon, County Roscommon.

James Kenny, a popular and prolific dramatic author, was a descendant of this family. He was born in 1780 and died in 1849. He produced many very attractive pieces, which brought him in large returns, yet he was always poor and died in poverty.

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