Prince of Coolavin explained

Prince of Coolavin was a title first applied by popular usage to Charles MacDermot, 1707–1758, then head of the MacDermot family of Moylurg. Coolavin is a barony in south County Sligo in Ireland. Up to the late 16th century the head of the family were still Kings of Moylurg, but had lost their lands due to confiscation.^[1]

The adoption of the term indicated that the family considered themselves "princes", and also considered as such by their neighbours.^[2] The title continued to be used by the head of the family into the 21st century.^{[3] [4]}

Title holders

• Charles MacDermot, The MacDermot (1707–1758), first to be styled Prince of Coolavin.
• Myles MacDermot, The MacDermot, (1758-1792).
• Hugh MacDermot, The MacDermot, (1792-1824).^[5]
• Charles Joseph MacDermot, The MacDermot J.P., (1824-1873).
• Hugh Hyacinth O'Rorke MacDermot, The MacDermot, (1873-1904).
• Charles Edward MacDermot, The MacDermot, (1904-1947).
• Charles John MacDermot, The MacDermot (1947-1979).^[6]
• Sir Dermot MacDermot, The MacDermot, (1979-1989).
• Niall Anthony MacDermot, The MacDermot (1989-2003).^[3]
• Rory MacDermot, The MacDermot (2003-2021).^{[4] [7]}

In popular culture

The Princess Royal or Miss 'MacDermot was a tune by the Irish harpist Turlough O'Carolan (1670 – 25 March 1738). The tune was adopted for the sea shanty The Saucy Arethusa which was performed at the Theatre Royal in London in 1796. While some attribute The Saucy Aruthesa to the composer William Shield, others have attributed the adaptation to the playwright Prince Hoare.^{[8] [9]}

A film, titled Heroes and Princes, was produced by the children of St. Aiden's National School, Monasteraden and celebrates the MacDermots of Collavin. It includes a composition titled The Prince's March.^{[2] [7]}

See also

• Chiefs of the Name

Notes and References

1. Book: Mac Dermot, Dermot. Mac Dermot of Moylurg: The Story of a Connacht Family. 1996. Mac Dermot Clan Association . 978-1873437162.
2. News: Ancient clan immortalised by children. The Sligo Champion. 13 October 2010. 9 October 2017.
3. Web site: The MacDermot Clan Association - History. 15 November 2021 . macdermot.com .
4. Web site: Death Notice of Rory Mac Dermot. 2021-05-22. rip.ie. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20210522201109/https://rip.ie/death-notice/rory-mac-dermot-gorey-wexford/457881. 22 May 2021. live .
5. Web site: MacDermot, Hugh | Dictionary of Irish Biography .
6. News: The Irish Times. Member of distinguished family respected by local community . 14 April 2012. 19 November 2018.
7. News: Coolavin's strong links with MacDermot's revisited on film. The Sligo Champion. 13 October 2010. 9 October 2017.
8. Web site: Enthusiasms No 45 - The Arethusa: a peculiarly English glory. Musical Traditions. 13 October 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160401010801/http://www.mustrad.org.uk/enth45.htm. 1 April 2016.
9. Book: Hanway, Tom. 20 O'Carolan Irish Classics: for 5-String Banjo and All Instruments. 12 February 2016. 44. 978-0786690848. Mel Bay Publications.