Fir Ol nEchmacht

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Fir Ol nEchmacht was the name of a group or race of people living in pre-historic Ireland. The name may be translated as Fir=men; Ol (possibly Dal?)=race, people; nEchmacht=the given name of the people.

Virtually all of Ireland west of the Shannon was once named after them, being called Cóiced Ol nEchmacht until the early historic era (c.5th-7th centuries A.D.)

It was only with the rise of The Connachta dynasty that the term Fir Ol nEchmacht was dropped and the province was renamed Connacht.

[edit] See also

• http://www.rootsweb.com/~irlkik/ihm/ire150.htm

[edit] Sources

• Foras Feasa Eirann, Geoffrey Keating, 1636.
• Leabhar Mor nGenealach, Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh, 1649-1666.
• Ogyia, Ruaidhri O Flaithbheartaigh, 1684.
• The History of Mayo, T.H.Knox, 1908.