Farrelly

 
O'Farrelly () is an Irish surname for those who were historically the Abbots of Drumlane. The name means "descendant of Faircellach", who was made the first Abbot of Drumlane by Saint Máedóc of Ferns in the 7th century and who was himself a descendant of Niall, High King of Ireland. The O'Farrellys of County Cavan were Abbots of Drumlane through to the 15th century, when David O'Farrelly was elevated as Bishop of Kilmore. The name was anglicised as Farrelly and in some cases Farley.
History.
According to the "Life of Máedóc of Ferns", one Urcain Mac Ailill was baptised and renamed Faircellach by Saint Máedóc of Ferns in the 7th century. Faircellach's descent from King Niall of the Nine Hostages is documented in the "Life" as: "Urcain, son of Ailill, son of Rechtaide, son of Eitin, son of Felim, son of Caol, son of Áed, son of Ailill, son of Erc, son of Eógan, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages." In the year 624, Saint Máedóc made Faircellach the first Abbot of Drumlane and anointed Faircellach's line as his hereditary heirs to the chief priesthood of Drumlane. The earliest mention of the name in the Annals of the Four Masters is at 1025: "Duibhinsi Ua Faircheallaigh, Abbot of Druim-leathan, died".
The "Life" states: "Once when Máedóc was at Ferns at the end of his time, the angel of the Lord revealed to him that the term of his days and the end of his life was now approaching and drawing nigh, and bade him go to the place of his resurrection, and to the site of his burial, and to leave his churches and noble annoits, and his chosen sanctuaries, to their native gentry and to their proper heirs after him. Máedóc did so. He left Ferns and its lands under the authority of Cele and Aedan, and with their race and descendants, together with the perpetual obligation of levying and collecting the tribute dues of Leinster, and of dividing them impartially among his churches and coarbs, as we said above. He went thence to Drumlane, and did the same in that church. He left the headship and coarbship of that church with Urcain, son of Ailill, who was called Faircellach. Máedóc had baptized this man, Urcain, and given him the name of Faircellach; for these were the two first attendants that Máedóc had, viz. Faircellach and Fergus his brother, two sons of Ailill."
The descendants of Faircellach were thereafter called the Ó Faircellach and from that time onwards were the abbots of Drumlane Abbey in County Cavan, Ireland. According to the "Life", Faircellach's other brother, Fergus, was made erenagh of Rossinver Church in County Leitrim. He is described as: "Máedóc's own dear faithful foster-child and equal-aged companion". The "Life" then gives the succession of the O'Farrellys up to the time of Fergal ua Ruairc, King of Connacht from 956 to 967: "When fierce Maedoc died, both wall and great garden, the church with its horned cattle, were entrusted by him to Faircellach. After Faircellach died, the protection of the church was entrusted to the welcoming countenance which never refused a company, to the noble man, to Maelchiaráin. Cúduilig, short was his activity, after forcible Maelchiaráin; Three years were these two undoubtedly in the coarbship after one another. Maelbrigde of the melodious voice, Concobar was his son; Maelbrigde did not succeed to the fair church, but his son Concobar succeeded."
Modern Era.
Several O'Farrellys are mentioned in the Fiants of 19 January 1586 when Queen Elizabeth I of England granted them pardons for fighting against the Queen's forces. The 1882 transcription of the Fiants misspells the name as Irielli by leaving out the initial 'F' (Page 143, Document 4813): "Pardon to Hugh, son of Hugh, son of William Firielli of Droumlain; Patrick son of Hugh, son of William Firielli of same; Moyle-Shaughelen, son of Gillpatrick, son of William Firielli; John, son of Gillpatrick, son of William Firielli; Henry, son of Gillpatrick, son of William Firielli; Donel, son of Gillpatrick, son of Hugh Firielli; Edmond, son of Hugh, son of Hugh Firielli; Gillpatrick, son of Thomas, son of Gillpatrick Firielli; Shane, son of Morrish, son of Mahowne Firielli." In the Census of Ireland, 1911 there were 1,075 Farrellys recorded in County Cavan.