Generous King — Ancestry of Hynes Family — One of the oldest in County Galway

Tribune, Saturday, October 25, 1930.

The family whose name is invariably spelled O'Heyne, O'Hayne, Hyne and Hines, is one of the oldest families in Galway. Hyne was the ancient name so that now those who spell Hynes and merely add "s" are not far from the ancient form which means goodness or prayer.

From a chieftain named Guaire Ardhue (the hospitable), King of Connacht, the name was taken. The title of the chief, of the sept was Prince Hi Fiachra or Hi Fiachra Aidhna, so named after Eogan Aidhne.

Aidhne was the son of Dathi, the last pagan monarach of Ireland. He was killed at the foot of the Alps in the year 429. This territory of Hi Fachra Aidhne was situated in the County Galway and was co—extensive with the diocese of Kilmacduagh. It was possessed by the descendants of Eogan Aidhne, the principal of whom were the O'Heynes, the O'Clerys and O'Shaughnessys. It comprised the barony of Kiltartan and parts of the barony of Dunkellin and Loughrea in the County Galway.

It is an area noted for the beauty of its scenery and the wholehearted hospitality of its people. As the O'Heynes were descended from King Guaire Aidhne hospitality with them is family tradition but one that is centuries old.

Aidhne was King of Connacht in the seventh century. He is celebrated by all the ancient annalists for his hospitality to all classes and his charity to the poor. Hence it passed into a proverb in that part of Ireland — in fact in all Galway— speaking of a good host that he was as "generous as Guaire", and the Irish poets in their figurative language represented that his right hand had become longer than his left in consequence at it being so constantly extended in giving charity and alms to the poor.

The O'Heyne, Prince of Hi Fiachra, who was a commander under King Brian Boru at the battle of Clontarf. Brian Boru was married to Mor, daughter of Flann, who was father of Maolruannaidh O'Heyne.