MacMhuirich bardic family
The MacMhuirich bardic family, known in Scottish Gaelic as Clann MacMhuirich and Clann Mhuirich, and anglicised as Clan Currie was a prominent family of bards and other professionals in 15th to 18th centuries. The family was centred in the Hebrides, and claimed descent from a 13th-century Irish bard who, according to legend, was exiled to Scotland. The family was at first chiefly employed by the Lords of the Isles as poets, lawyers, and physicians. With the fall of the Lordship of the Isles in the 15th century, the family was chiefly employed by the chiefs of the MacDonalds of Clanranald. Members of the family were also recorded as musicians in the early 16th century, and as clergymen possibly as early as the early 15th century.
The mid 15th century MS 1467 (pictured) was likely composed by a member of Clann MacMhuirich.
The Red Book of Clanranald, on display in the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
The Ó Dálaigh were a learned Irish bardic family who first came to prominence early in the 12th century, when Cú Connacht Ó Dálaigh was described as "The first Ollamh of poetry in all Ireland".
The Latin motto translates as 'Faithful to God and King', an Irish language alternative meaning 'Swift and Strong' (referencing the greyhound crest and lion blazon), is often preferred.
"Harp of Cnoc I'Chosgair, you who bring sleep to eyes long sleepless; sweet subtle, plangent, glad, cooling grave. Excellent instrument with smooth gentle curve, trilling under red fingers, musician that has charmed us, red, lion-like of full melody. You who lure the bird from the flock, you who refresh the mind, brown spotted one of sweet words, ardent, wondrous, passionate." Gofraidh Fionn Ó Dálaigh.
Denis Daly of Dunsandle, MP for Galway. A portrait by Joshua Reynolds. The name Denis was used as an anglicised approximation of Donnchadh
