The ÓBriain Knot of Lemenagh

The Ó Briain Knot of Lemenagh Of the many Irish clans and families only a few have a badge that is a Celtic knot in the family's heraldry. The O'Brien's are one of those families. Knot of the O'Brien's is carved on a corbal of the fireplace at Lemenagh (fireplace has been removed to the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis). This castle was the home of the infamous Mary Rue (MacMahon) O'Brien, wife of Conor O'Brien, her second husband, who was mortally wounded fighting Cromwell troops in 1651. This unique knot badge is used by the Inchiquin/Lemenagh/Dromoland branch of the O'Brien Clan. Lord O'Brien as a gift to his new wife gave her a green broach of the O'Brien knot as a wedding gift. The late O'Brien Clan chief, Sir Conor O'Brien 1943-2023, has stated that the symbol may be used by all members of the clan.

The Ó Briain Knot of Lemeneagh

 Lemaneagh Hall. Formerly Ennis Town Jail, it is home to the Lemeangh fireplace with the "O'Brien Knot" on the upper left corbal stone

This September 2024 in Ireland I went to the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis looking for the fireplace from Lemenagh Castle.  I went to the front desk to inquire and the staff did not know what I was talking about but I persisted and found it in a banquet room on the second floor.  Lemenagh Castle is just down the road in Kilnaboy Parish from where my cousins live.  The castle is now closed off but in 1981 my wife and I climbed to the top and took a few pictures of the countryside.

Old Ground Hotel, Ennis, County Clare, Ireland

Old Ground Hotel brochure September 2024