Cumann Staire

The Creedon Clan belonged to the Race of Old Ireland. These were the old Celtic inhabitants who were in Ireland before the arrival of the Gaelic people, or Milesians.

They might have been Erainn folk, or more possibly Cruithne (Picts).

Like most Clans they were a distinct community living in their own hereditary area under their Chieftain. This area is now known as the Parish of Magherameske, County of Antrim, in the Province of Ulster. The name of O’Criodain (or possibly MacCriodain) seems to have derived from an eminent early Bishop called Cridan. He was buried in 638 AD on Island Mahee in Strangford Lough in nearby County Down.

About 1550 AD the Chieftain moved South to County Cork. The Clan were distinguished by having many noted Harpers, and these Harpers were dispersed throughout the Province of Munster seeking patronage at the courts of the great Lords. By 1600 AD the Clan System had broken down, and the Creedons left the Bantry Rosse area and were spread around the Province of Munster.

One court where they were welcomed was that of FitzGerald of Cloyne. He was a distinguished member of the family of the Earls of Desmond, who for some time lived at Castle Martyr Castle. In 1621 AD there were two Creedon Harpers at his court, Patrick and Jeremiah. One of the harps which they played survives to our time. It is a unique Creedon artefact. A facsimile and parts of the original harp can be seen today in the New National Museum at Collins Barracks in Dublin.

Many of the Clan Harpers appear to have married into wealthy merchant families and the families of the aristocracy. Others of the Clan entered into various Trades, while some became tenant Farmers who finally obtained Freeholds after 1900 AD.

The Creedon name may be found in some Parishes over a period of about 400 years, while the genealogy of certain Creedon families can be traced in the same Townland for almost 200 years. An example of this is Ballyvourney where many generations of Creedon families lie in the Parish graveyards.