About Us

We are a living network of members of the Clan McGrath (in gaelic: Clann Mhic Craith). Membership of the Clan is a right of birth (ancestry), adoption or marriage. The name McGrath is derived from Mac Craith, recorded in the ancient Annals of Ireland, a name traditionally accepted as one bestowed upon the descendants of Ahearne, brother of Brian Boru, High King (Ard Ri) of Ireland. 

The name has been anglicised into various forms including McGrath, Magrath, MacRea, Magraw McCreagh etc.  

In Ulster, during the 15th and 16th centuries, our name was commonly spelt as McGragh or Magrath, however most members of our Clan now use the common anglicised form of Mac Craith which is McGrath. meaning Son of (Divine) Grace. 

The Clan McGrath Origins

The origins of the Clan McGrath are among the tribe of Dal gCais or Dalcassians, who occupied the territory of Thomond with its heartland in Co. Clare. The McGraths are descended from the line of Cennetig Mac Lorcain, Father of Ireland’s greatest High King, Brian Boru (Imperator Scotorum – Emperor of the Irish).

In Thomond, the Clan McGrath forged a special place for themselves as hereditary poets and bards among the Dal gCais, serving Brian and his descendants among the princes of Thomond. Although the McGrath Clan is still found in Thomond, from these beginnings the Clan expanded to the areas were they forged new positions of power and wealth, building castles and forging alliances, particularly in Ulster and Munster, where they played a major role in the history of Ireland and where many still reside today.