MEANING: Irish name meaning “”a poet”” or “”a philosopher.”” In one legend, at the Battle of Clontarf (read the legend) in 1014 Tadhg Mór(“”Big Tadhg””) O’Kelly is reported to have fought “”like a wolf dog”” before he was overcome by the Vikings and killed. When he fell a ferocious animal came from the ocean to protect the dead body of the chieftain until it was retrieved by his O’Kelly kinsmen. “”A most extraordinary creature, it had the head of a fox, the chest of an elephant, the mane of a horse, the forelegs of an eagle, the body and hind legs of a hound and the tail of a lion.””

MEANING: From an Irish name meaning “”one who aids or assists.”” It is usually translated as Terence and Terry, two names that have become strongly associated with Ireland. Turlough O’Carolan was a 17th century blind harpist and composer who wrote one of the most haunting pieces of Irish music, “”O’Carolan’s Concerto.””

MEANING: Meaning “”lord, chief”” and implies “”lord of the household.”” A sixth-century saint, Tierney of Clones had the privilege of being baptized by St. Conleth of Kildare with St. Brigid as his godmother. As a young man he was captured by pirates and taken to the British king who placed him in the monastery of Rosnat in England. He later returned to Ireland and became Bishop of Clogher in County Down.

MEANING: The Irish form of Thomas, a biblical name meaning “”twin.””

MEANING: From an Irish name meaning “”one who aids or assists.”” It is usually translated as Terence and Terry, two names that have become strongly associated with Ireland. Turlough O’Carolan was a 17th century blind harpist and composer who wrote one of the most haunting pieces of Irish music, “”O’Carolan’s Concerto.””