O Driscolls Past and Present
Éamonn Lankford
ISBN 0953489841
Cape Clear Museum 2005

The O Driscolls have, for over 1,500 years, been anchored in the ancient district of Corcu Lóegde, now known as Carbery, in West Cork, Ireland. They can boast of their connection to the early Christian pilgrim, Saint Ciarán, born in Cape Clear Island, who became the patron saint not alone of Ossory, but also of Cornwall.

They were merchants, journalists, authors, poets, educationalists, religious and legal figures. The O Driscoll Diaspora section deals with their contribution to the armed forces, religious, economic, medical, cultural and political life of many countries.
The book deals with the interlude of the Algerine slave-raid on Baltimore in 1631, which inspired the well-known poem of Thomas Davis “The Sack of Baltimore”. Also treated is, the tantalizing mystery of who today should be called “The O Driscoll”, the hereditary chieftain of the clan. Today, there is a new spirit among O Driscolls worldwide which owes much to the Annual O Driscoll Clan Gathering, which takes place in June each year at Baltimore and the islands.

Written in English