Nowadays the O’Neill surname is one of the top ten names in Ireland; and an ambitious and truly exciting project instigated by the current generation of the clan hopes to record as many of the existing O’Neill families as possible – across the globe – in the next 14 months.

The ancient clan claims descent from Conn Ceadcathach (Conn of the Hundred Battles), the second century High King, and on to the legendary Niall Noígiallach (Niall of the Nine Hostages), the High King of Ireland from 377 to 404 AD; indeed, legend suggests that it was Niall of the Nine Hostages who captured a young slave on a raid in Wales and brought him to Ireland. That slave would later escape, and go to become Ireland’s patron saint, St Patrick.

Eoghan, son of Niall, gave his name to the Cenél nEógain, of whom the O’Neills were the chief sept, and their territory was Tír Eoghain (Tyrone). There are many other families who can claim descent from the Cenél nEógain, such as Hamill, Mallon, and O’Hagan to name but a few. The first to take O’Neill as their surname was Domhnall, who took the name of his grandfather Niall (another Niall!) killed in a battle with the Vikings. ‘O’Neill’ thus translates as ‘grandson of Niall’.

And although the name O’Neill is strongly associated with the northern province of Ulster (indeed the Red Hand of Ulster was taken from their coat of arms), there are several other distinct septs of O’Neills throughout Ireland; for instance the surname is quite numerous in and around County Carlow in Leinster, where an O’Neill sept was situated in the barony of Rathvilly.

Up until the time of Brian Boru, who reigned from 1002 to 1014, the Ui Néill (descendants of Niall of the Nine Hostages) were, almost without interruption, High Kings of Ireland. They formed two main branches – the northern Ui Néill of Ulster and the southern Ui Néill who established themselves in Meath.

It was the 16th and 17th centuries that produced arguably the most famous of the O’Neills, such as Hugh ‘The Great’ O’Neill (1540-1616), the second Earl of Tyrone, who departed from Rathmullan in County Donegal in September 1607 in a famous episode known as ‘the Flight of the Earls’.

The extended O’Neill diaspora is considerable. Indeed, if one considers the United States alone, there are many examples, including the Nobel and Pulitzer prize-winning writer Eugene O’Neill and the former speaker of the US House of Representatives Thomas ‘Tip’ O’Neill.

The European dimension of the O’Neill clan that emerged from the Flight of the Earls has ensured that there is a large network of O’Neills based on the continent, particularly in countries such as Spain, France, Portugal and Italy.

And while ‘O’Neill’ is easily the most common spelling of the surname, other variants of the surname can include Neill, Neel, Neal, Niel, McNeill etc as a result of this extensive diaspora throughout the world.

To mark the remarkable historical and cultural significance of the O’Neill clan, the sound of the Uillean pipes called O’Neills from near and far a few weeks ago to the very apt location of Hill of the O’Neill in Dungannon. This was the signal to launch the An Leabhar Ui Néill (The Book of O’Neill) where it is hoped that every O’Neill and all the variations of the name will have the opportunity to record their details.

Thanks to this initiative, if the genealogical details such as mother, uncle, aunt, great grandparents etc are known they will be put into this unique book – believed to be the first of its kind. For a small fee of £20, a family can register their entire household in this historic book. Once finished it will be put into a time capsule at the nearby iconic fort of Tullach Óg (Tullaghoge) and will remain there for over a century.

The launch event was hosted by the current Ancient Clan O’Neill Chief and Vice Chief Guardians Dan O’Neill and Siobhan O’Neill, and a large gathering ensured a successful evening. According to Dan O’Neill, the diversity of the O’Neill name is truly remarkable: “In the census of Ireland taken in 1901, there were hundreds of Church of Ireland and Presbyterian O’Neills, while in the United States we have discovered Mormons and Quakers with the surname – and we want them all to be part of this, an inclusive project. We are the living descendants of these great people; the guardians of our O’Neill clan history and genealogy.”

He continued: “We launched this book project that it will hopefully be written by every descendant of the O’Neill Clan throughout Ireland, Britain and many countries across the world – we thought the best way to keep our family history alive was to give O’Neills the opportunity to record the history of their own family.”

When this ambitious project is completed (scheduled for May 2017), two copies of the book will be printed and bound in leather cases and put into bronze caskets. After a special ceremony in the summer of 2017, one copy will be put into a time capsule at the ancient hill of Tullach Óg – the traditional crowning place of the O’Neill Chiefs. The other copy will be displayed at the Hill of the O’Neill centre in Dungannon.

It is fitting that this year has been designated to launch this project, as 2016 commemorates the 400th anniversary of the passing of Hugh O’Neill, the Earl of Tyrone. Dan added: “We are currently planning the content of eight days of family events (18-25 June) that will take place in Mid-Ulster, in the heart of historical O’Neill Country; this is a unique opportunity to explore the world famous sites of O’Neill, and participate in historical talks and walks, re-enactments and guided tours.”

Revamped American Air Museum reopens

Imperial War Museum Duxford’s transformed American Air Museum, containing the best collection of American aircraft on display outside North America, has reopened to the public after a major redevelopment.

The newly-transformed American Air Museum tells the story of Anglo-American collaboration in 20th and 21st century conflict, as seen through the eyes of the people linked with the aircraft and objects on display. From private to President, the American Air Museum tells the personal stories of 85 people whose lives have shaped or been shaped by their experiences of conflict. It focuses on the key role played by American air power, in conflicts from 1918 to the present day, with dramatic displays of historic and contemporary aircraft.

Diane Lees, Director-General of IWM says: “The transformed American Air Museum tells the story of the relationship between Britain and America in very human terms. Personal stories come to the fore. From the pilot to the female riveter who built the aircraft; the African-American engineer who built the airfields to the courageous female journalist who reported on the action, visitors come face-to-face with people whose moving stories are inextricably linked with the formidable aircraft on display. The impact of global warfare is told from contrasting perspectives, giving visitors a rounded view of the lasting effect of contemporary warfare.”

The American Air Museum, in Cambridgeshire, is home to 850 objects, including equipment, uniforms, keepsakes and photographs. Many of these have never been seen by the public before. iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford