According to legend, "Tuamgraney, or Tuam Greine, refers to both the mound of the sun and the tomb of
Grian (
Irish: '
Sun'). It is part of the ancient territory of Ui Dhanghaile, which incorporated neighbouring Scariff (Maynoe), Tuamgraney, Inis Cealtra (Holy Island) and Clonrush. Grian’s mound just outside the village marks the site of the first recorded suicide in Irish history. She ‘of the bright cheeks’ was a princess in pre-Christian Ireland, the daughter of a king who lived in the Sliabh Aughty mountains of East Clare. She was famous for her beauty but was of unnatural origin, ‘begotten by a human being on a sunbeam.’ Oh what imagination those ancients had! When told this she became depressed and drowned herself in a lake since called Lough Graney. Her body floated down the Graney River and was found near Lough Derg at a place known as Derrygraney – the wood of Grian. She was buried under a mound and the place became known as Tuamgraney or Tuam Greine, the tomb of Grian. Pillar stones today stand sentinel beside her mound. The Memorial Park honours those who fell during the
Irish War of Independence. Dr
Edward MacLysaght, Ireland's foremost family historian, is also commemorated there." Tuamgraney parish was founded by a saint named Cronán or Chronain, possibly the same
Crónán Abbot and bishop who founded
Roscrea. The place is mentioned in the annals from as early as 735 AD. There was a
round tower, which was repaired by
Brian Boru, and the castles of Tuamgraney and Scarriff. In 1560 both castles belonged to
Edmond O'Grady. The southern part of Tuamgraney parish was combined with the medieval parish of
Kilnoe early in the 18th century to form the parish of Bodyke. The
Ó Cillín family were
coarbs of Tuamgraney. The novelist
Edna O'Brien was born in Tuamgraney in 1930 and local villagers along with prominent members of the society at the time would encourage the burning of her novels. Noted
genealogist Edward MacLysaght is buried at St. Cronan's Church.
Annalistic references See
Annals of Inisfallen (AI) •
AI749 Kl. Death of Conchellach, abbot of Tuaim Gréine. •
AI934.1 Kl. Repose of Rebachán son of Mothla, abbot of Tuaim Gréine and king of Dál Cais. •
AI1003.8 Repose of Donngal son of Beoán, abbot of Tuaim Gréine. •
AI1020.2 Muiredach Ua hAililléin, lector of Tuaim Gréine, rested in Christ. •
AI1024.8 Niall Ua Cellaig, lector of Tuaim Gréine, rested in Christ. •
AI1026.7 Conall Ua Cillíne, coarb of Crónán of Tuaim Gréine, fell asleep. ==See also==