Tipperary abbey to feature on TV show exploring history of Irish surnames

Sloinne 2 Ó Néill Tom Gallagher Liam Ó Néill Holycross Abbey.placeholder image
Sloinne 2 Ó Néill Tom Gallagher Liam Ó Néill Holycross Abbey.

Artist Liam O'Neill visits Holy Cross Abbey in Tipperary to explore the origins of his surname.

A historical abbey in Tipperary will be featured on a TV show, which explores the history of Irish surnames.

A new series of Sloinne in which a person goes in search of the history of their surname in each episode begins on TG4.

The show travels all over the country learning about famous and historical figures as well as the clans which shaped the history of Ireland.

This series will focus on the surnames Mac Gearailt/FitzGerald, Ó Briain/O'Brien, Ó Néill/O'Neill, De Paor/Power, Ó Loingsigh/Lynch and Ó Gallachóir/Gallagher.

In episode three on May 25 the show explores the Ó Néill /O Neill surname. We join Liam O’Neill renowned Irish artist who has returned to his native County Kerry.

Liam meets with Tom Gallagher of Holy Cross Abbey in Tipperary, to begin learning of the Ó Néill clan. Liam finds out more about his surname by speaking with Anthony Murphy and Nodlaig Ní Bhrollaigh in two iconic landmarks in Ireland; Grianán of Aileach, County Donegal and the Hill of Tara, County Meath.

Previous episodes included the Mac Gearailt /Fitzgerald which took us to the Limerick region where Rónán Mac Gearailt, a lecturer at ATU, Galway, looked into his father’s background and of course the Fitzgerald stronghold in that surrounding area.

Episode three will air on May 25 on TG4.

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