Phelan (surname)

The O'Faelan (O'Harts spelling) clan name is claimed to have descended from Fiacha Suidhe, one of the younger brothers of Conn Ceadcathach or Conn of the Hundred Battles. Fiacha Suidhe is said to have been expelled from Meath and after various wanderings was given permission to settle in lands around Waterford which were called the Desies. This origin story, the Expulsion of the Deisi, is covered by Power which is believed to be a fictitious tale created by prominent families of the Desies to justify their elevation to Gaelic nobility from a former tributary status. According to historian C. Thomas Cairney, the O'Phelans were the chiefly family of the Déisi who were a tribe of the Erainn who were the second wave of Celts to settle in Ireland between about 500 and 100 BC. Early medieval and Viking era Keating speaks of Cellachán Caisil King of Munster plundering the town of Waterford, causing its leader Sitiric to take flight. After which, Cellachán gave his sister Gormfhlaith in marriage to Domhnall O Faolain, king of the Deise. According to the Annals of the Four Masters, in 995, Donnavan son of Ivar and Domhnall son of Faelan, Lord of the Deisi killed Gillapatrick son of Donnchadh, lord of Osraighe. Donnoavan was killed in revenge for this deed a week later, Domhnall son of Faelan is later recorded as having died but the cause is unknown. Keating also has Domhnall O Faolain, king of the Deise and Ivar of Waterford invading and plundering Munster. Brian Bóruma then gave battle and defeated them at Fan mic Connrach; they were then chased to Waterford where Domhnall and most of the foreigners (Ostmen) were slain and the town was plundered and burned. It is not clear when this is supposed to have happened or if this is the same Domhnall O Faolain reported in the Annals of the Four Masters as having died in 995. This time an O Faelan is fighting alongside Brian against the combined forces of the King of Leinster and the Norse Gaels. The Cogadh Gaedhel Re Gallaibh places Mothla with Magnus King of the Ui Liathain at the head of Brian's second battalion, which is described as very great and strong and formed from the chosen hosts of all Munster. Both the Annals and the Cogadh report Mothla's death at this battle along with Brian, his sons, the King of Leinster, many of the Norse Gael leaders and numerous others. In, 1031 the annals record the death of Diarmaid, son of Domhnall, son of Faelan, lord of the Deisi, who was killed by Muircheartach, son of Brian, in the battle of Sliabh Cua. Raymond is believed to have sallied forth against this force from a fortified position on the cliff but was overwhelmed and fled to his original position. During this retreat forces from the coalition managed to get a foothold in Raymond's camp. A number of cattle which had previously been collected and kept inside the camp then stampeded the entrance where the attackers were gaining access. This incident caused the Irish and Ostmen to fall into confusion and disarray and Raymond, rallying his men, turned the course of battle, falling upon the coalition and turning a potential defeat into victory. 500 of the coalition are said to have been killed, some being thrown from the cliffs. In 1205 the annals record the death of Donnell O'Faelain (Phelan), Lord of the Desies. In 1208 the same annals record the death of David Breathnach (Walsh) the Bishop of Waterford who was slain by O'Faelan of the Desies. ==Notable persons with the surname==