Aunt Mary's Memoirs, Chapter 2: III

I learned that most families felt their own particular lineage was superior to all others; and of course it is, and everyone should feel this way.
However, there was just cause to be proud of the Byrne family. We are descendants of a brave and courageous ancestry. Many stores are told in Irish history of the dauntless courage and glorious valor of the O'Byrne clan as early as the twelfth century. The title of the chief was Lord of Ranelagh and the family seat was Ballinacor, in Glenmaure. The lands known as O'Byrne Country were situated among the Wicklow Mountains and many battles were fought and won there. Over the years the "O" had to be dropped from the family name when the British government seized their lands and possessions and forced them to come under English rule.