1014 AD

On this day in 1014 AD Ard Ri, High King, Brian Boru of Ireland died in the battle of Clontarf. He unified the clans of Ireland.

Each Day in the Year of the Fire Dog, #85

The descendants of Brian were known as the Ui Briain (O'Brien) clan, hence the surnames Ó Briain, O'Brien, O'Brian etc. "O" was originally Ó which in turn came from Ua, which means "grandson", or "descendant" (of a named person). The prefix is often anglicised to O', using an apostrophe instead of the Irish síneadh fada: "´". The O'Briens subsequently ranked as one of the chief dynastic families of the country.

My grandfather used to tell my sister and I "now don't forget girls, you are princesses." So true!

To learn more about the O'Briens check obrienclan.com