Fehilly of Corcha Laoidhe (Cork)
A sept of the Corcha Laoidhe
situated in County Cork. They were chiefs
of a district comprising the parish of Ardfield (Ard Ui Fhicheallaigh
)and other territory in the
neighbourhood of Clonakilty. Families of the name, more often anglicised Field
in this area have remained constantly in south- west Munster to this day. [Ref
Ed.McLysaght]
Historical
References
Thomas O'Fihelly. Bishop of Leighlin (Co Carlow) from 1555 to 1567 was
born in Co Cork. He was an Augustinian monk who before his appointment to
Leighlin had served as Abbot of the Monastery of Mageo(Mayo?) and as Bishop of
Achonry .His remains lie beneath the floor of St Lazerian's Cathedral in Old
Leighlin.
Maurice O'Fihily (d 1516) called Maurice de Portu was born at
Baltimore Co Cork. As a professor at Padua he edited the works of Don Scotus an
early medieval scholar. He was later appointed Archbishop of Tuam (Co Galway)
and known as flos mundi (flower of the world). He is included in a group
on a stained glass window at the Irish College in Rome.
Maurice O'Fihelly a namesake was Bishop of Ross, a diocese
approximately co-extensive with the ancient territory of Corcha Laoidhe.
Donal O'Fihelly (circa 1500) also from this area was an annalist.
Rev Fr Thomas Field or Fildes (O'Fihelly) (1548-1626) was born in
Limerick. Famous for his mission work under great conditions of hardship in
Brazil and Paraguay over 50 years.
John Arthur Fihelly (d circa 1930) the stormy petrel of the
Queensland Labour Party was a pioneer of workmens' compensation
legislation in Australia.
References; McLysaght - More Irish
Families- (Published by Irish Acedemic Press -1982)
Collections; Kildare & Leighlin by Rev.M.Comerford-(Published
by James Duffy & Sons. Dublin/London)
Genealogy Centre (Co.Cork)
July 1999