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Hanly: A Brief History of the Noble Name (at home and abroad) by Gearoid O'Brien and John Hanly

– marking Genealogy Day 2020 with the first published history of the Hanly clan –

Today marks Genealogy Day, which (according to some sources) is observed annually on the second Saturday in March.

Genealogy Day was created in 2013, by Christ Church, United Presbyterian and Methodist in Limerick, Ireland to help celebrate the church’s 200th anniversary. For this day, Christ Church brought together local family history records, not only from its own combined churches but also from the area’s Church of Ireland parishes, including the Religious Society of Friends in Ireland (Quaker) and the Church of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon) – Days of the Year

Hanly, a Brief History of the Noble Name (at home and abroad) by Gearoid O'Brien and John Hanly provides readers with the first published history of the clan, from the earliest entries to the present day.

The Hanly clan originated in Co. Roscommon and spread, initially, throughout Ireland – the River Shannon providing an artery of communication that that would reach as far as Limerick and Cork. In the first published history of the clan, authors Gearoid O'Brien and John Hanly trace that story, from the earliest entries in the ancient annals to the present day.

Fascinating nuggets of historical information come to light, such as the figure of St. Berach, the 6th century monk and patron saint of the Hanly clan, whose crozier can today be found, on display, at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin.

The story is unearthed of the Hanlys on Lough Ree, who farmed and fished from the Black Islands on the Longford side of the lough, where they settled sometime around the 17th century.

There is a section devoted to famous Hanlys and persons of distinction bearing the family name, who made their mark in different spheres of business, enterprise, entertainment, sport, art, music, literature, broadcasting, academia, scholarship.

While this is a book that will be of interest to anyone who wants to know more about the Hanly family lineage, it also serves as a useful introduction to the principles of genealogy and family history in general. Concise yet informative material on the earliest history of Ireland and the evolution of Irish surnames is provided. Elsewhere, advice is offered to anyone interested in conducting research into their own family history (Hanly or otherwise). Readers travelling to Ireland with this purpose in mind, will even find useful tips on things to do and see during their Irish visit.

Hanly: A Brief History of the Noble Name (at home and abroad) by Gearoid O'Brien and John Hanly is published by The Manuscript Publisher. A limited print edition, comprising 400 numbered copies, is currently available to buy online (priced €14.99 plus P&P) while, an unlimited e-book edition is available through Amazon, Smashwords and all of the major online retailers.