|
 Geoffrey
Paul Vincent O'Donoghue of the Glens is one of only twenty
Gaelic Chiefs of the Name who have the formal right to use
their historic title. As Princes of the Eóghanacht,
the O'Donoghues of history fulfilled a critical social, political
and military role in the life of Munster. While those responsibilities
no longer pertain today in a republican Ireland, the desire
to preserve a Gaelic heritage, that is the very essence of
Irish history, remains strong. In 1944 the Chief Herald of
Ireland, at the Genealogical Office in Dublin, confirmed the
name of The O'Donoghue of the Glens on Geoffrey's father.
On his death, as tanist, he succeeded to the name. He is described
in Who's Who in Ireland as 'a low profile Irish Chief '.
A deep interest in and knowledge of Irish history has, however,
led him to play an active part on the Standing Council of
the Irish Chiefs and Chieftains. They promote and preserve
the Gaelic heritage of Ireland through the consideration of
matters affecting the Irish Chiefs, Chieftains and the Clans
they represent. The Council will express its views and educate
on the historical background, while protecting the titles
and armorial bearings of the Chiefs from misuse.
Geoffrey O'Donoghue was born in 1937 and was educated at
the Christian Brothers School in Enniscorthy, County Wexford.
A practical man, he joined the Irish Air Corps and served
in engineering for six years. Moving to England, he worked
for Vickers Armstrong for five years before returning to Ireland.
He inherited Ballynahown Court, in County Westmeath, from
his great aunt. This property came into the ownership of the
O'Donoghues of the Glens on the death of Sir John Ennis, whose
daughter Marie married Daniel O'Donoghue, the MP. In 1874
it was a very large estate of nearly nine thousand acres reducing
through the pressures of the Land Acts to 500 acres by the
end of the nineteenth century. It proved impractical to maintain
and in 1968, was sold.
Today The O'Donoghue lives just outside Tullamore, County
Offaly, and runs a number of local businesses. He married
Frances Kelly in 1963 and has seven children. His active working
life allows him limited time to pursue his personal interests
but he is an avid reader of history. As an Irish nationalist,
in the traditions of his ancestors, he seeks to maintain and
develop his family history.
|
