Cormac Mor MacCarthy, King of Desmond

Donal Oge's successor was his son Cormac Mac Carthy Mor (b. 1271, d. 1359). He seems to have been the original founder of the Franciscan Abbey of Irrelagh2, now called Muckross Abbey. According to the Annals of the Four Masters it was erected in 1340. If this date be correct — and there seems no reason to doubt it — it must have been built in Cormac's reign, and founded by him. The Four Masters, however, say that 'the Abbey was founded by "Donal son of Teige MacCarthy." This seems to be an error, which is probably due to the fact that the Abbey, erected in 1340, was, more than a century afterwards, rebuilt or altered or repaired by Cormac's great-grandson, Donal- an-Daim son of Teige-na-Mainistreach. Such errors in the Christian names of persons occur here and there in these Annals, which, however, are mainly correct on the point of dates. Cormac MacCarthy Mor died in 1359. He had married Honoria the daughter of Maurice Fitzmaurice, the sixth Lord of Kerry, by whom he had several sons, many of whom, like the sons of his great-grandfather, Cormac Fioun, became founders of important branches of the family. Their names are as follows — (1) Teige, Prince of Desmond, who left only a daughter named Catherine ; (2) Finghin, or Florence, Prince of Desmond, who was defeated in 1350 at Rinna Roin by Miles de Courcey, Baron of Kinsale, and, with a party of his followers, drowned himself in the river Bandon. This prince had erected, in the cemetery of Clonmacnoise, a tower and a chapel both called after the MacCarthys ; (3) Donal, of whom we treat pre sently; (4) Dermod Mor, created Lord of Muskerry in 1353, and ancestor of the Lords of Muskerry and Earls of Clancarthy; (5) Eoghan, ancestor of the Lords of Cosh-Maing; (6) Donogh a quo the MacCarthys of Ardcanaghty ; (7) Donal Buidhe.

Source: https://books.google.com/books?id=EFgxAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA237&lpg=PA237&d...

Cormac MacCarthy Mór, Prince of Desmond: his son; b. 1271; d. 1359. This Prince m. Honoria, the dau. of Maurice FitzMaurice, 6th lord of Kerry, by his wife Elizabeth Condon, and had issue:—1. Donal; 2. Dermod Mór, created "Lord of Muscry," in 1353, and who was the ancestor of Mac Carthy, lords of Muscry (or Muskerry) and Earls of Clancarty; 3. Feach (or Fiacha), ancestor of MacCarthy of Maing; 4. Donoch, ancestor of MacCarthy of Ardcanaghty; 5. Finghin (or Florence); 6. Eoghan; 7. Donal Buidhe (pr. bhwee); 8. Teige of Leamhain; and a daughter Catherine, m. to O'Sullivan Mór.

Source: http://www.libraryireland.com/Pedigrees1/MacCarthyMor.php

MacCarthy Muskerry: The MacCarthys of Muskerry, on the other hand, derived more recently from the MacCarthys Mór line, and so, unlike Carbery, were (and still are) considered a sept of the main dynasty. This principality of the Kingdom of Desmond began in the 14th century as an appanage of King Cormac Mór MacCarthy Mór (d. 1359) for his second son, Dermod. At various times, because of their adeptness at playing the political game with England, the Lords/Princes of Muskerry also bore various British titles, such as Earl of Clancarty, Viscount Mountcashel, and Baron (Lord) of Blarney.

The male line of the MacCarthy Princes of Muskerry, is believed to have descended at least to Justin MacCarthy (ca. 1887), of St. Louis, MO, USA.

Source: http://www.mccarthyclan.org/pages/name.php?page_id=11