The Rory O’Moore family crest
Our band was named for one of Ireland’s many leaders in revolt against their oppressors.
Rory was a traveled and scholarly man. As a member of Parliament, he agitated for 15 years for constitutional reforms to address Irish grievances. He turned to plotting the Rebellion of 1641. He planned to seize the province of Ulster and Dublin Castle. He was in charge of seizing Dublin Castle. The plot was discovered and the raid failed.
The O’Moore tradition of rebellion continued. The name can be found in the rolls of every Irish revolt down to the present time. The famous Patrick Sarsfield, defender of Limerick and commander of Irish troops in the revolt of 1689, was the grandson of Rory O’Moore.
After the Uprising of 1641 failed, it is believed that Rory escaped to Scotland and later returned to Ireland. He reportedly died somewhere in the west of Ireland in 1655.
Our band includes members who are descendants of O’Moore.
For more information about Rory O’Moore, click here.
Baird Clan of Scotland
The band wears the Baird tartan. The fortunes of this family began when William the Lion (King of Scotland from 1165 to 1214) rewarded a Baird with land grants for saving his life. The Bairds were granted the Barony of Cambusnetham by Robert de Bruce. They were involved with the losing side in the wars between England and Scotland during the fifteenth century.
Our band includes members who are descendants of Baird and de Bruce.
For more information about the Baird clan, click here.