Big News from the Fair Coane

The news from the Fair Coane is really big because it ties together McOwen, McCown, Maguire and O'Neal all in a small area of south Tyrone, so without further comment

In Her Own Words: The news about a possible Maguire/McOwen relationship is quite exciting. If I understand it correctly, Edmond Magwire and Bryan Maguire appear to be sons of an Owen Maguire who adopted Owen's Christian name as their surname, I.E. McOwen. This name change is similar to the surname thansformation of the sons of
Sean an Diomais O'Neal, who took their father's Christian name as their surname -
MacShane.

Interestingly, the Maguire/McOwens, whom you reference, are included in the South
Tyrone area.

This poses the question: Why were these Maguire men among this O'Neal group? One reason mightg be that the O'Neals had been the overlords of Fermanagh for centuries, Another reason might be that there is the documented evidence of repeated intermarriage between the O'Neals and the Maguires. At the time of the plantation, Con MacShane O'Neal (died 1630)a son of Shane O'Neal noted above, was granted lands in Clabby, Fermanagh (near Tempo)close to the Tyrone Border.

One additional thought which may be completely unrelated, but might be relevant, is
the bookplate I described to you in previous emails. As I told you, I have in my possession a book, P.Terentii Carthaginiensis Afri Comoedae which belonged to my relative, Conolly Coane. This book dates to 1806/7, is signed by CC, and has as his bookplate, his coat-of- arms of the O'Neals, surmounted by a crown and harp. Underneath this coat-of-arms is the name "Coane". I'm repeating this information because there may be an ancestry connection among the Maguires, the O'Neals and the Coanes/McCowns. I am including the McCowns since there is a Robert McCown buried in Assaroe Abbey, Ballyshannon - the same graveyard where my ancestors, Thady Coan I, in 1681 and Thady Coane II -1723, are buried. Father Gallagher, writing in the 1957 issue of the Donegal Annual, lists the tombstones in Assaroe Abbey Cemetery, outside of Ballyshannon. In footnote #6, referring to the tombstone of Robert McCown, Father Gallegher states: MCCOWN. This roughly-carved stone, inscribed only with the deceased's name, and three rude crosses, most possibly dates to the early 18th century. The Robert McCown interred here may have been a member of the Catholic branch of the Coans of Higginstown. See tombstones 100, 101 (Higginstown, Donegal is approximately two miles southeast of Ballyshannon, and is very close to the river Erne and the Fermanagh border.)

Once again, a lengthy email! I am so delighted that your genealogical quest continues and appears to be gaining momentum. I so appreciate your including me in updates of your journey. Gratefully, G.