Mathghamhan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (March 2008) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Mathghamhan (also spelled Mathuin or Mahon) was an Irishman of the early eleventh century. He was the son of Cian Mac Mael Muda, chief of the Cineal Aodha, and his wife Sadhbh, who was daughter of the High King Brian Boru. Through Brian Boru, Mathghamhan was a member of the Eoghanacht Raithline, a dynastic line claiming descent from Eoghan Mor, a second century King of Munster. Mathghamhan (whose name means bear) was killed at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.

Mathghamhan's descendants eventually became sovereigns over territory in west Cork, notably around the Iveagh Peninsula and the town of Bandon. Today, his descendants use the surname Mahoney,O'Mahoney,Mahony or O'Mahony.