The second season of Sloinne, a family history documentary series exploring common Irish surnames, has just finished airing – with all episodes from both seven-part seasons now available to watch online for free via the TG4 Player.
Two full seasons of the Irish surname genealogy docuseries Sloinne, totalling 14 episodes, are now available to watch on the TG4 Player anywhere in the world. Named after the Irish word for “surname”, this Irish-language documentary, complete with English subtitles, explores the origins and history of some of Ireland’s most common family names.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Each 50-minute episode follows a special guest, each one bearing a different surname, as they trace their lineage and uncover stories from their family’s past and that of the wider clan. They are helped along the way by historians and genealogists. The featured guests visit historical sites linked to their surnames, from humble ancestral homesteads to impressive castles associated with notable figures in Irish history. The format blends genealogy, history, folklore and archaeology.
Season two’s seven episodes, broadcast in May and June this year, focused on the surnames Fitzgerald (Mac Gearailt), O’Brien (Ó Briain), O’Neill (Ó Néill), Keane (Ó Catháin), Power (de Paor), Lynch (Ó Loingsigh) and Gallagher (Ó Gallachóir). The seven episodes of season one, which aired last year, explored the surnames O’Flaherty (Ó Flaithearta), Murphy (Ó Murchú), Kelly (Ó Ceallaigh), O’Sullivan (Ó Súilleabháin), O’Donnell (Ó Domhnaill), Joyce (Seoighe) and O’Connor (Ó Conchubhair).
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Sloinne is produced by Abú Media. Both seasons are available to watch for free on the TG4 Player here or by downloading the TG4 Player app for iOS or Android via the App Store or Google Play.
Here’s what to expect from each of the 14 episodes:
O’Flaherty / Ó Flaithearta
The opening episode of season one follows Dingle record shop owner Mazz O’Flaherty as she explores the history of the O’Flaherty surname in Kerry and Galway. Inspired by Oscar Wilde’s alleged O’Flaherty connection, Mazz embarks on a journey to the Aran Islands.
A F F I L I A T E A D
Murphy / Ó Murchú
Episode two of season one features Noelle Gallagher née Ní Mhurchú, a retired teacher and daughter of the late RTÉ broadcaster Liam Ó Murchú. Noelle follows the story of the Murphys through Dublin and Wexford and on to Cork. She speaks with historian Brian Ó Cléirigh at the Fr Murphy 1798 Centre in Wexford and visits the famous Murphy Brewery in Cork city.
Kelly / Ó Ceallaigh
Episode three of season one follows teacher Aodán Ó Ceallaigh, who meets with Dr Mícheál Hoyne, lecturer in Irish at Trinity College Dublin, to discuss the early references to the Uí Ceallaigh in Old Irish manuscripts. Aodán visits Kilconnell Franciscan Friary in Co. Galway and Galey Castle in Co. Roscommon, before travelling to Helvick Harbour in Co. Waterford, where he investigates the life of his grandfather, Tomás Ó Ceallaigh, a fisherman.
Aodán also explores the lives of several notable individuals who shared his surname: Ireland’s second president Seán T. O’Kelly, actress Grace Kelly and singer Luke Kelly.
O’Sullivan / Ó Súilleabháin
Episode four of season one sees teacher Seán Ó Súilleabháin trace the history of the O’Sullivan surname and uncover the story of his grandfather Daniel O’Sullivan, a Skibbereen native who served as clerk to the Rural District Council in Wexford. Seán’s journey takes him to West Cork, visiting St Comhghall’s Church in Lisheen, where several ancestors were married and baptized, as well as Dunboy Castle on the Beara Peninsula to learn about the Gaelic lord and soldier O’Sullivan Beare.
Seán also explores the lives of celebrities who shared his surname, including composer Arthur Sullivan of Gilbert and Sullivan fame and actress Maureen O’Sullivan, best known for her portrayal of Jane in the Tarzan films.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
O’Donnell / Ó Domhnaill
Episode five of season one features postgraduate student Hannah Ní Dhomhnaill. She visits Rossnowlagh Friary and Donegal Castle, where she meets historian Séamus O’Doherty to discuss the Flight of the Earls and Aodh Rua Ua Domhnaill. Dr Nollaig Ó Muráile speaks about The Great Book of Irish Genealogies, while Dr Liam Mac Amhlaigh of Maynooth University explores the legacy of Niall Ó Dónaill, author of the Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla (Irish–English Dictionary).
Hannah also meets folk musician Finbarr Clancy to learn about the song “O’Donnell Abú” and Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill, who shares her memories of her aunt Neilí Ní Dhomhnaill – storyteller, singer and collector of traditional songs.
Joyce / Seoighe
Episode six of season one follows Máirtín Seoighe as he meets lawyer Seán Ó Cearbhaill at Galway courthouse to learn about Maolra Seoighe (Myles Joyce), who was wrongfully convicted and executed in 1882 for the Maumtrasna massacre, which occurred near the Mayo/Galway border in what is commonly known as “Joyce Country”. Máirtín also explores the history of the Claddagh ring and its creator, Richard Joyce, visits Nora Barnacle’s house to examine her influence on the writing of her husband, James Joyce and travels to Lough Corrib to visit Castlekirk with Seán Seoighe.
>>> RELATED: Maolra Seoighe: the hanging of an innocent Connacht man
O’Connor / Ó Conchubhair
The final episode of season one follows Frankie Ó Conchubhair as he learns about the many variations of his surname from archaeology lecturer Dr Kieran O’Conor. Frankie visits Clonalis House in Co. Roscommon, where Pyers O’Conor Nash shows him around the O’Conor Don estate and he visits the inauguration site of the O’Connor kings. He meets historian Rena Burke at the tomb of Felim O’Connor, a medieval king of Connacht, in St Mary’s Dominican Priory and he also meets series genealogist Dr Paul MacCotter, who shares his research into Frankie’s Barna ancestors.
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Fitzgerald / Mac Gearailt
The first episode of season two follows Rónán Mac Gearailt, a lecturer at Atlantic Technological University in Galway, as he travels to Limerick to explore the story of his father, a much-loved ballad writer and storyteller. Rónán meets Dr Micheál Ó Siochrú, Professor of Modern History at Trinity College Dublin, to learn about the Anglo-Norman origins of the Fitzgeralds.
He visits Croom Castle and Lough Gur, and also looks into the lives of American singer and Queen of Jazz Ella Fitzgerald, the late Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald, American writer F. Scott Fitzgerald and US President John F. Kennedy, who had Fitzgerald family connections to Bruff.
>>> RELATED: Tracing John F. Kennedy’s Irish ancestry through Wexford, Limerick, Cork and Fermanagh
O’Brien / Ó Briain
In episode two of season two, storyteller and retired teacher Paddy O’Brien, who lives in Cork city, travels to Limerick to speak to genealogist Linda Keohane about his own family history and meets Limerick Museum historian John Elliott to learn about Florence Vere O’Brien, founder of Limerick Lace School.
In Co. Clare, Paddy visits Dromoland Castle, where in-house historian Dr Jane O’Brien tells him about the many generations of O’Briens who lived there. Paddy also visits Shannon Aviation Museum to hear about the pioneering female pilot Sicele O’Brien and joins archaeologist Risteard Ua Cróinín at O’Brien’s Tower on the Cliffs of Moher to discuss the man who built it, Cornelius O’Brien. Paddy’s journey ends in Killaloe, where he explores the story of the famous High King Brian Boru.
O’Neill / Ó Néill
In episode three of season two, Kerry artist Liam O’Neill travels north to explore the history of his surname and follow in the footsteps of Hugh O’Neill, 2nd Earl of Tyrone. Along the way, he visits Holycross Abbey in Co. Tipperary, where he meets Tom Gallagher to learn about the earl’s pilgrimage to see a relic of the True Cross. Liam also stops off at the Hill of Tara, the royal site closely associated with the O’Neill high kings, where he speaks to Anthony Murphy of Mythical Ireland about Niall of the Nine Hostages and the origin legend of the Uí Néill dynasty. His journey continues to Grianán of Aileach in Co. Donegal and Tullaghoge Fort in Co. Tyrone – both important inauguration sites of the Uí Néill.
A F F I L I A T E A D
Keane / Ó Catháin
In episode four of season two, Connemara woman Yvonne Ní Chatháin meets series genealogist Dr Paul MacCotter, who sheds light on her own family history. In Derry, she visits Dungiven Priory to speak with Dr Simon Egan, lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast, about the many medieval battles involving the Ó Catháins. Then, in Roe Valley Country Park, she meets Danny O’Kane, proudly wearing the traditional Ó Catháin colours, and together they visit O’Cahan’s Rock. Yvonne also visits Cappoquin House in Co. Waterford, which was burned during the Civil War, later restored and is still home to the Keanes today.
She stops by John B. Keane’s pub in Listowel, Co. Kerry, before returning to Co. Galway to join musician Seán Keane in Caherlistrane for a song or two.
Power / de Paor
Episode five of season two follows Siobhán de Paor as she explores the history of the Power surname, which is especially common in Co. Waterford. Series genealogist Paul MacCotter helps trace Siobhán’s own ancestry. In Dungarvan, Siobhán meets historian Julian Walton, who teaches her about the medieval history of the de Paors. She speaks with Hugh Tinney, son of Dr Sheila Power, a mathematical physicist who was offered a fellowship by Oppenheimer in 1948 and is thought to have been the first Irish woman to earn a doctorate in mathematical sciences.
At Waterford County Museum, curator William Fraher introduces her to the story of William Grattan Tyrone Power. Siobhán also meets MacDara Ó Conaola to learn about the sculptor Albert Power and Dathaí de Paor, who shares the story of Lady Catherine Power and brings her to visit the shell house.
Lynch / Ó Loingsigh
In episode six of season two, Dublin actor Pádraig Ó Loingsigh returns from London and travels to Galway to explore the history of the Lynches – one of the so-called “14 Tribes of Galway”. He meets University of Galway library archivist Kieran Hoare to learn how the family left their mark on the city, visiting Lynch’s Castle and the Lynch Memorial Window. Pádraig also finds out about other Lynch septs, including the Corcu Loígde sept in Co. Cork, whose members are mentioned in the 15th-century Book of Lecan.
Pádraig learns about Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara’s link to the surname, as well as the lives of the late Taoiseach Jack Lynch from Cork city and Eliza Lynch from Charleville, known as the “Queen of Paraguay”. Series genealogist Paul MacCotter also traces Pádraig’s own family history.
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Gallagher / Ó Gallachóir
The final episode of the season follows Dr John Gallagher, a Leeds-based history lecturer, as he travels from Dublin to his father’s homeland in Gaoth Dobhair (Gweedore), Co. Donegal. Along the way, John meets genealogist Linda Keohane, who helps trace his ancestry. Among the stories she uncovers is that of his great-granduncle Jack, who was imprisoned for the murder of an RIC district inspector during the Land Wars – a well-publicized case that saw more than 30 people brought to court, including a priest and two women. Dr Pádraig Ó Liatháin introduces John to The Gallagher Family Commonplace Book, an Irish manuscript composed in the 18th and 19th centuries and now held in the Burns Library in Boston.
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In Donegal, John also meets Adrian Ó Gallachóir, taoiseach of the Gallagher clan, who tells him about the 2007 world record set by the Gallaghers for the largest gathering of people with the same surname. He visits Ballyshannon Museum to learn about guitarist Rory Gallagher, pays tribute to All Blacks rugby player Dave Gallagher from Ramelton and stops by the Creeslough home of singer Bridie Gallagher, known as “The Girl from Donegal”.
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