McKenna
Encyclopedia
McKenna, also MacKenna, is the anglicized form of the Gaelic Irish surname "Mac Cionaoith", also spelt Mac Cionaodha or Mac Cionnaith, meaning "son of Cionaodh". The meaning of "Cionaodh" can be translated, Cion being an old Irish word for respect and affection, and "aodh" Aodh, a Gaelic personal name, originally the name of the Celtic god of fire. The personal name probably means "beloved of Aodh."
The historical lineage of the McKennas lies in Truagh, County Monaghan
, Ireland
, where they were "The Lords Of Truagh" and the McKenna coat of arms can be seen on many of the graves from members of the family.
Today the spelling McKenna may vary such as Mikenna, Mackenna, Macenna, Makenna and Mckenna.
The McKenna legend
Legend tells that, in the fourth century, the first McKenna to arrive in the area that is now Co. Monaghan was a Hugh McKenna, a minor king or prince from the Kells area of Co. Meath. An avid huntsman, he roused a huge stag on one occasion and pursued it for two full days and nights before finally catching up with it and plunging his dagger into the heart of the beast - at a fort, just north of Emyvale, which, to this day, is still called ‘Liskenna’ (from the Irish ‘Lios Sceine’ meaning ‘the fort of the knife’).
Tired out from his exhaustive hunting and journeying, McKenna was entertained by the local chieftain, a man named Treanor; he then remained on as Treanor’s guest, fell in love with his daughter, and eventually married her. In the interim he received word that his kingdom back home in Meath had been usurped by a fellow kinsman, so instead of returning to Meath he decided to remain on in the north of what is now Co. Monaghan, where he had been made feel so welcome. That lovely legend is still recalled in the McKenna logo or ‘coat of arms’, which depicts a huntsman on horseback, a stag, two hounds, and two crescent moons, signifying the two days and two nights that McKenna had followed the hunt.
Through time, the McKenna offspring and later descendants became very numerous, and these ultimately overcame all neighbouring tribes, to eventually establish for themselves a small kingdom between the McMahons to the south and the O’Neills to the north. This little kingdom or ‘tuath’ as it would have been known then, extended from the Blackwater at Aughnacloy to the ‘lesser’ Blackwater at Monaghan, and from the Slieve Beagh mountains in the west to the castle of Glaslough in the east, encompassing the present parishes of Donagh (sometimes called ‘Upper Truagh’) and Errigal Truagh, an area of approximately eighty square miles.
The small McKenna sovereignty
Of course, the story of the hunt was mere legend, but later history records that McKenna’s tiny sovereignty was well and truly established by the time of the arrival of the Normans in the twelfth century (1169). It became known as ‘Triucha Chead a’ Chladaigh’, which loosely translated, simply means the ‘Barony of the Ring Forts’. The parishes of Donagh and Errigal Truagh have a greater proliferation of ring-forts than any other area of its size in Ulster.
Headquarters of the Clan McKenna was firmly established at Tully Hill, just south of the present Emyvale village, and this would survive for an amazing five hundred years - from the mid-12th century to the early 17th century. Originally, a series of three ring forts stood on this hill but only the inner ring and half of the outer ring of the northern fort remains to this day. The fortifications also included a ‘crannog’ on Tully Lough, below the western slope of the hill, and part of this may also still be seen. The 12th century McKenna High Cross and the McKenna Chieftains grave may also still be seen in the neighbouring Donagh Old Graveyard.
Through the centuries the McKennas became embroiled in the tribal wars that prevailed in Ulster right down until the demise of the Gaelic Chieftains at the beginning of the seventeenth century.
They were frequently at war with O’Neills to the north and with the McMahons to the south, often helping the one against the other, and even occasionally at war among themselves as different branches of the family vied for over-lordship.
Battles against the English
They were very much a part of O’Neill’s army at the Battle of Clontibret in 1595 and again at the Yellow Ford in 1598, but, just as they were part of these great victories, they also had to share in the defeats, and they were in O’Neill’s army again at Kinsale in 1601.
Following the retreat from the tragedy of Kinsale, they were pursued by Mountjoy and the English, who established a new fort for themselves at Monaghan. From there, Mountjoy’s forces destroyed most of McKenna’s fortifications at Tully, Emyvale. The centre fort was completely obliterated and was never restored, but the southern and northern forts were re-built by McKenna who, despite the previous disaster, was again very much involved in the Insurrection of 1641, a war that continued right up until the Cromwellian Settlements of 1652. As punishment for his part in that lengthy war, McKenna’s territory was again invaded and ravaged by English forces under Hamilton in 1642, and again under Stewart in 1643.
Probably the greatest of all the McKenna chieftains was Patrick McKenna who came to power c.1580, but he was unfortunate in that, at that time, the English were encroaching from the south and trying to establish a ‘shire’ in what is now Co. Monaghan. Patrick, who had fought in all the battles of the Nine Years War (1594–1603) died in 1612 and was succeeded by his grandson Niall McKenna, who was leader during the 1641-52 wars.
By 1652, his territory had been so ravaged that he emigrated to Spain where he joined the Spanish army and later died there. Niall was succeeded by his nephew, Phelemy McKenna, who, with four of his sons, was murdered by English forces in 1666 and is buried in Donagh Old Graveyard. His fifth son, Major John McKenna was later appointed High Sheriff of Monaghan by James 1st, and it was this Major John McKenna who led the Catholic Irish forces at the Battle of Drumbanagher, near Glaslough, in 1688, following which he was executed. He too is buried at Donagh.
The fall of the McKennas
The Battle of Drumbanagher is sometimes referred to as ‘The Opening Shots of the Williamite Wars’, but even more frequently it is referred to as ‘McKenna’s Last Stand’ as it was this battle that really brought an end to the power of this once great family.
Defeated at Drumbanagher, the influence of the McKenna Clan declined rapidly and, with the various Plantations of the 17th century, practically all their lands were confiscated and transferred to alien ownership. Despite this, the McKenna name never died, but on the contrary, increased to an amazing rate, to such an extent that the McKennas far outnumber all other surnames in North Monaghan today and is second only to the McMahon name in the entire county.
Modern-day McKennas
Many have made great names for themselves in both Irish and World history. General Juan McKenna became prominent in the Liberation of Chile; an Adjutant McKenna held senior office in the 1798 French Expedition led by Napper Tandy; Reginald McKenna became British Chancellor of the Exchequer in the early part of the 20th century and might even have become Prime Minister; Siobhan McKenna became a famed Hollywood screen actress; etc. etc. Just a few of the many who made headlines throughout the globe.
The late Sir Shane Leslie in his excellent book ‘Long Shadows’ wrote: - “Daniel O’Connell brought their (McKenna) Chief from our (Leslie) estate in Truagh (barony of) to London to open a bank. The McKenna family were successful outside their own country; producing a Dictator in South America and a Justice of the Supreme Bench in Washington; O’Connell’s proteges in England were successful bankers. One grandson, Reginald McKenna, became Liberal Chancellor of the Exchequer and later presided over the Midland Bank. There was even a moment when, occupying a City of London seat, he might have stopped a gap in Downing Street.”
It may also refer to:
The historical lineage of the McKennas lies in Truagh, County Monaghan
County Monaghan
County Monaghan is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Monaghan. Monaghan County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, where they were "The Lords Of Truagh" and the McKenna coat of arms can be seen on many of the graves from members of the family.
Today the spelling McKenna may vary such as Mikenna, Mackenna, Macenna, Makenna and Mckenna.
Early history of the clan McKenna
After the name McMahon, the most common surname in Co. Monaghan is McKenna.The McKenna legend
Legend tells that, in the fourth century, the first McKenna to arrive in the area that is now Co. Monaghan was a Hugh McKenna, a minor king or prince from the Kells area of Co. Meath. An avid huntsman, he roused a huge stag on one occasion and pursued it for two full days and nights before finally catching up with it and plunging his dagger into the heart of the beast - at a fort, just north of Emyvale, which, to this day, is still called ‘Liskenna’ (from the Irish ‘Lios Sceine’ meaning ‘the fort of the knife’).
Tired out from his exhaustive hunting and journeying, McKenna was entertained by the local chieftain, a man named Treanor; he then remained on as Treanor’s guest, fell in love with his daughter, and eventually married her. In the interim he received word that his kingdom back home in Meath had been usurped by a fellow kinsman, so instead of returning to Meath he decided to remain on in the north of what is now Co. Monaghan, where he had been made feel so welcome. That lovely legend is still recalled in the McKenna logo or ‘coat of arms’, which depicts a huntsman on horseback, a stag, two hounds, and two crescent moons, signifying the two days and two nights that McKenna had followed the hunt.
Through time, the McKenna offspring and later descendants became very numerous, and these ultimately overcame all neighbouring tribes, to eventually establish for themselves a small kingdom between the McMahons to the south and the O’Neills to the north. This little kingdom or ‘tuath’ as it would have been known then, extended from the Blackwater at Aughnacloy to the ‘lesser’ Blackwater at Monaghan, and from the Slieve Beagh mountains in the west to the castle of Glaslough in the east, encompassing the present parishes of Donagh (sometimes called ‘Upper Truagh’) and Errigal Truagh, an area of approximately eighty square miles.
The small McKenna sovereignty
Of course, the story of the hunt was mere legend, but later history records that McKenna’s tiny sovereignty was well and truly established by the time of the arrival of the Normans in the twelfth century (1169). It became known as ‘Triucha Chead a’ Chladaigh’, which loosely translated, simply means the ‘Barony of the Ring Forts’. The parishes of Donagh and Errigal Truagh have a greater proliferation of ring-forts than any other area of its size in Ulster.
Headquarters of the Clan McKenna was firmly established at Tully Hill, just south of the present Emyvale village, and this would survive for an amazing five hundred years - from the mid-12th century to the early 17th century. Originally, a series of three ring forts stood on this hill but only the inner ring and half of the outer ring of the northern fort remains to this day. The fortifications also included a ‘crannog’ on Tully Lough, below the western slope of the hill, and part of this may also still be seen. The 12th century McKenna High Cross and the McKenna Chieftains grave may also still be seen in the neighbouring Donagh Old Graveyard.
Through the centuries the McKennas became embroiled in the tribal wars that prevailed in Ulster right down until the demise of the Gaelic Chieftains at the beginning of the seventeenth century.
They were frequently at war with O’Neills to the north and with the McMahons to the south, often helping the one against the other, and even occasionally at war among themselves as different branches of the family vied for over-lordship.
Battles against the English
They were very much a part of O’Neill’s army at the Battle of Clontibret in 1595 and again at the Yellow Ford in 1598, but, just as they were part of these great victories, they also had to share in the defeats, and they were in O’Neill’s army again at Kinsale in 1601.
Following the retreat from the tragedy of Kinsale, they were pursued by Mountjoy and the English, who established a new fort for themselves at Monaghan. From there, Mountjoy’s forces destroyed most of McKenna’s fortifications at Tully, Emyvale. The centre fort was completely obliterated and was never restored, but the southern and northern forts were re-built by McKenna who, despite the previous disaster, was again very much involved in the Insurrection of 1641, a war that continued right up until the Cromwellian Settlements of 1652. As punishment for his part in that lengthy war, McKenna’s territory was again invaded and ravaged by English forces under Hamilton in 1642, and again under Stewart in 1643.
Probably the greatest of all the McKenna chieftains was Patrick McKenna who came to power c.1580, but he was unfortunate in that, at that time, the English were encroaching from the south and trying to establish a ‘shire’ in what is now Co. Monaghan. Patrick, who had fought in all the battles of the Nine Years War (1594–1603) died in 1612 and was succeeded by his grandson Niall McKenna, who was leader during the 1641-52 wars.
By 1652, his territory had been so ravaged that he emigrated to Spain where he joined the Spanish army and later died there. Niall was succeeded by his nephew, Phelemy McKenna, who, with four of his sons, was murdered by English forces in 1666 and is buried in Donagh Old Graveyard. His fifth son, Major John McKenna was later appointed High Sheriff of Monaghan by James 1st, and it was this Major John McKenna who led the Catholic Irish forces at the Battle of Drumbanagher, near Glaslough, in 1688, following which he was executed. He too is buried at Donagh.
The fall of the McKennas
The Battle of Drumbanagher is sometimes referred to as ‘The Opening Shots of the Williamite Wars’, but even more frequently it is referred to as ‘McKenna’s Last Stand’ as it was this battle that really brought an end to the power of this once great family.
Defeated at Drumbanagher, the influence of the McKenna Clan declined rapidly and, with the various Plantations of the 17th century, practically all their lands were confiscated and transferred to alien ownership. Despite this, the McKenna name never died, but on the contrary, increased to an amazing rate, to such an extent that the McKennas far outnumber all other surnames in North Monaghan today and is second only to the McMahon name in the entire county.
Modern-day McKennas
Many have made great names for themselves in both Irish and World history. General Juan McKenna became prominent in the Liberation of Chile; an Adjutant McKenna held senior office in the 1798 French Expedition led by Napper Tandy; Reginald McKenna became British Chancellor of the Exchequer in the early part of the 20th century and might even have become Prime Minister; Siobhan McKenna became a famed Hollywood screen actress; etc. etc. Just a few of the many who made headlines throughout the globe.
The late Sir Shane Leslie in his excellent book ‘Long Shadows’ wrote: - “Daniel O’Connell brought their (McKenna) Chief from our (Leslie) estate in Truagh (barony of) to London to open a bank. The McKenna family were successful outside their own country; producing a Dictator in South America and a Justice of the Supreme Bench in Washington; O’Connell’s proteges in England were successful bankers. One grandson, Reginald McKenna, became Liberal Chancellor of the Exchequer and later presided over the Midland Bank. There was even a moment when, occupying a City of London seat, he might have stopped a gap in Downing Street.”
Notable people sharing the surname "McKenna"
Famous people of the surname McKenna include:- Aiden McKenna, Irish fashion designer
- Andrew McKennaAndrew McKennaAndrew McKenna Jr is the immediate past chairman for the Illinois Republican Party. McKenna became the chairman in 2005, and stepped down in August 2009. He was succeeded by Pat Brady. He was preceded by Judy Baar Topinka....
, American political organizer and the chairman of the Illinois Republican Party - Antoinette McKennaAntoinette McKennaAntoinette McKenna is a singer and harp player who accompanies her husband, Joe McKenna, a piper. They are both from Dublin, Ireland where husband Joe learned to play pipes from Leo Rowsome and other members of the famed Pipers Club.-References:...
, Irish musician - Barney McKennaBarney McKennaBernard Noël "Barney" McKenna or Banjo Barney as he is known amongst his fellow musicians, is an Irish musician who plays the tenor banjo, mandolin, and melodeon. He is most renowned as a banjo player...
, Irish musician - Bernard McKennaBernard McKenna (writer)Bernard McKenna is a Scottish writer/producer who has written, or co-written, many hours of British television comedy. He is most noted for his work with Graham Chapman of Monty Python fame as well as his collaborations with Peter Cook and Douglas Adams...
, Scottish-born writer of television comedy - Bernard J. McKennaBernard J. McKennaBernard J. McKenna was the Mayor of Pittsburgh from 1893 to 1896.-Early life:Mayor McKenna was born in 1842 and served in the American Civil War. Upon returning home to Pittsburgh he worked with iron, working his way up to become a labor union official in the industry...
, mayor of the U.S. city of Pittsburgh from 1893 to 1896 - Charles F. McKennaCharles F. McKennaCharles F. McKenna was a judge of the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico from 1904 to 1906. He was appointed to that office by President Theodore Roosevelt.-References:...
, U.S. District Court judge - Charlotte McKenna, British model
- Chris McKennaChris McKennaChris McKenna is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He played for Queensland and Australia as well as club sides the Brisbane Broncos, South Queensland Crushers and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. His usual position was second row, though while he played...
, Australian rugby league player - David McKennaDavid McKenna (footballer)David McKenna is a Scottish footballer, currently playing for Brechin City.He moved to Stirling Albion in June 2007 from St. Mirren. Previously he played for Cowdenbeath and scored 7 goals in a half season loan spell which saw him play a large role in the Blue Brazil winning their first league...
, Scottish footballer - David McKennaDavid McKenna (writer)David McKenna is an American screenwriter and producer. He worked as executive producer of E-Ring.He used the screen name Zachary Long for Bully....
, American screenwriter - Dennis McKennaDennis McKennaDennis Jon McKenna is an American ethnopharmacologist, author and brother to well-known psychedelics proponent Terence McKenna.-Profile:...
, American ethnopharmacologist - Donald McKennaDonald McKennaDonald Carnegie McKenna was an American philanthropist and scholar best remembered for his contributions to the liberal arts college in Claremont, California, which now bears his name: Claremont McKenna College....
, American philanthropist - Frank McKennaFrank McKennaFrancis Joseph "Frank" McKenna, PC, OC, ONB, QC is a Canadian businessman and former politician and diplomat. He is currently Deputy Chairman of the Toronto-Dominion Bank. He served as Canadian Ambassador to the United States from 2005 to 2006...
, Canadian businessman - Juan/ John McKennaJuan MackennaBrigadier Juan Mackenna was an Irish-born, Chilean military officer and hero of the Chilean War of Independence. He is considered to have been the creator of the Corps of Military Engineers of the Chilean Army....
, Chilean liberator - Joseph McKennaJoseph McKennaJoseph McKenna was an American politician who served in all three branches of the U.S. federal government, as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, as U.S. Attorney General and as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court...
, American politician - Kevin McKennaKevin McKennaKevin James McKenna is a Canadian professional soccer player who currently plays for 1. FC Köln in the German Bundesliga...
, Canadian soccer player - Malcolm McKennaMalcolm McKennaMalcolm Carnegie McKenna was an American paleontologist. He was the curator of vertebrate paleontology at the American Museum of Natural History and co-authored the book Classification of Mammals along with Susan K. Bell...
, American paleontologist - Patricia McKennaPatricia McKennaPatricia McKenna is an Irish independent politician. She served as a Green Party Member of the European Parliament for the Dublin constituency from 1994 to 2004.-Background:...
, Irish politician - Patrick McKennaPatrick McKennaPatrick McKenna born May 8, 1960 in Sylvania, Saskatchewan is a Canadian comedic and actor. He is best known for playing Harold Green on the television series The Red Green Show, Marty Stephens on Traders, and the Trudeau miniseries. McKenna is a member of Toronto's The Second City comedy troupe...
, Canadian actor - Paul McKennaPaul McKennaPaul McKenna is an English hypnotist and self-improvement author.McKenna has written and produced books and multimedia products, hosted self-improvement television shows and presents seminars in hypnosis, neuro-linguistic programming, weight loss and motivation.-Career:Paul McKenna started in...
, British hypnotist - Peter McKennaPeter McKennaPeter McKenna is a former Australian rules footballer, who played 180 games and kicked 838 goals with the Collingwood Football Club between 1965 and 1975, where he spent the majority of his career...
, Australian Rules Footballer - Reginald McKennaReginald McKennaReginald McKenna was a British banker and Liberal politician. He notably served as Home Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer during the premiership of H. H. Asquith.-Background and education:...
, British politician - Richard McKennaRichard McKennaRichard Milton McKenna was an American sailor and writer.-Early life:McKenna was born in Mountain Home, Idaho, on May 9, 1913. Seeking more opportunities than could be found in such a rural part of the country at the height of the Great Depression, McKenna joined the U.S...
, American writer - Rob McKennaRob McKennaRobert Marion "Rob" McKenna is the Republican Attorney General of Washington and was elected in November 2004 for a term beginning in January 2005. He won re-election in November 2008 with over 59 percent statewide...
, American politician - Robert McKennaRobert McKennaRobert Fidelis McKenna, O.P. is a Dominican bishop residing at Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel in Monroe, Connecticut since 1973. He is known for his traditionalist Catholic positions and is an advocate of sedeprivationism...
, Traditionalist Catholic bishop and noted exorcist - Sean McKennaSean McKenna (footballer)Sean Barry McKenna is a Scottish football striker currently playing for Girvan.-Career:McKenna signed a YTS contract with Clyde in the summer of 2005, and made his début that season, coming on as a substitute in a 5-1 win against Brechin City...
, Scottish footballer - Sean McKennaSean McKenna (ice hockey)Sean Michael McKenna is a former professional ice hockey forward. He was drafted in the third round, 56th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft. He played in the National Hockey League with the Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, and Toronto Maple Leafs.In his NHL career, McKenna...
, Canadian ice hockey player - Siobhán McKennaSiobhán McKennaSiobhán McKenna was an Irish stage and screen actress.-Background:Born Siobhán Giollamhuire Nic Cionnaith in Belfast, Northern Ireland into a Catholic and nationalist family, she grew up in Galway City and in County Monaghan, Ireland speaking fluent Irish...
, Irish stage and screen actress - Stephen McKennaStephen McKennaStephen McKenna is a Scottish footballer who is currently signed for Queen of the South in the Scottish First Division. He plays primarily as a defensive central midfielder.-Airdrie:...
, Scottish footballer - Terence McKennaTerence McKennaTerence Kemp McKenna was an Irish-American philosopher, psychonaut, researcher, teacher, lecturer and writer on many subjects, such as human consciousness, language, psychedelic drugs, the evolution of civilizations, the origin and end of the universe, alchemy, and extraterrestrial beings.-Early...
, American philosopher - Thomas Patrick McKenna, Irish actor
- Virginia McKennaVirginia McKennaVirginia A. McKenna OBE is a British stage and screen actress, author and wildlife campaigner.-Early career:McKenna trained as an actress at the Central School of Speech and Drama then worked on stage in London's West End theatres before making her motion picture debut in 1952...
, British actress and writer
It may also refer to:
- McKenna Long LLP, an international law firm
- Claremont McKenna CollegeClaremont McKenna CollegeClaremont McKenna College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college and a member of the Claremont Colleges located in Claremont, California. The campus is located east of Downtown Los Angeles...
, California liberal arts college - CMS Cameron McKennaCMS Cameron McKennaCMS Cameron McKenna LLP is an international law firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom...
, an international law firm - Dr. McKenna Cup, gaelic football competition
- McKenna (TV series)McKenna (TV series)McKenna was a short-lived TV series that aired on ABC during the 1994-1995 season. It starred Chad Everett and Jennifer Love Hewitt.The series revolved around Brick McKenna , who returned to Oregon to take over his brother's business, McKenna Outfitters, after his death...
, a 1994–1995 ABC series starring Chad Everett and Jennifer Love Hewitt