Genealogically, they are closely related to the O'Shaughnessy, MacFirbis, O’Finnerty (Ó Fiannachta) all members of Clan Conway (i.e. Connmhach).

Indeed, the O'Dowd were the main patrons of the MacFirbis clan who produced key works of Irish history such as the Great Book of Lecan and the Leabhar na nGenealach.

After their realm was incorporated into the Kingdom of Ireland, they were Lord of Tír Fhiacrach O'Dowd is the most common anglicisation of the Irish surname Ó Dubhda.

The O'Dowd clan or sept traces its descent from Fiachrae, an older half-brother of Niall of the Nine Hostages, through Nath Í mac Fiachrach (aka Dathí), the last pagan High King of Ireland.

Irish legend and early texts claim Dathí was killed by a bolt of lightning[2] as he led an army to the foot of the Alps in 455 AD.

For centuries they were the leading sept of the northern Uí Fiachrach, a tribal group that occupied the modern counties of Mayo and Sligo.

Their territory at its widest embraced the túatha of Erris and Tír Amhlaidh in Mayo and Tir Fhiacrach Múaidhe in Sligo.

One of the most generous sponsors of the MacFirbis scholars was Tadhg Riabhach Ó Dubhda ('Dark Teige'), who became Taoiseach of Tireragh in 1417.

This coincided with the Nine Years War, when the last independent Irish clans rose to resist English occupation of Ulster.

The clan played an honourable role in the war, assisting Hugh Roe O'Donnell, in defending the western border of Ulster from incursions by the Earl of Essex in 1599 (most probably at the Battle of Curlew Pass).

From the rarity of the surname today, one must conclude that these successive wars, particularly those in the 17th century against the English, and the subsequent savage repression, greatly diminished O'Dowd numbers along with their power and influence.

The location of these castles are as follows: No:1 Lough Conn; No:2 Mount Balcon, River Moy; No:3 Beaufield; No:4 Belleek Castle, Ballina; No:5 Castleconor, River Moy; No:6 Castleton Manor; No:7 Enniscrone; No:8 Carahduff; No:9 Rathlee; No:10 Rosslee, Easkey; No:11 Dromore; No:12 Doonecoy; No:13 Cartron; No:14 Dromard; No:15 Lomford; No:16 Flooneen; No:17 Ballymote; No:18 Markcree; No:19 Lough Gill; No:20 Drumcliff Bay.

These castles and ruins were researched and located over many years by the Clan O'Dowd historian, Conor Mac Hale.

The O'Dowdas (O'Dowds) were chieftains of west Sligo in Anglo-Norman times and they built the Castle in Ballina, Co Mayo in 1447.

It was used as a military site for the Williamite army during the war between the Catholic King James and the Protestant William of Orange.

The names of the rest of the Nottingham O'Dowd children are Terry, Peter, Barry, Diane, Anthony and Trevor.

Fortunately, Winifred was pregnant and gave birth to Eduardo José Dowd on 31 March 1931, who, in turn married Mercedes García (born in Asturias, Spain on 19 December 1931).

He enlisted into the 97th Regiment of Foot (The Earl of Ulster's – also known as the "Celestials" due to the colour of their flashes on their uniforms) in 1824, aged 16.

In 1997, he was chosen as the Taoiseach-elect when the Chieftainship was restored, and in September 2000 was inaugurated with Brehon rites at Cahir Mor as The Ó Dubhda – the first chief in over 400 years.

During his period in office he has represented the clan at the 1798 Bicentennial celebrations and at the unveiling of the memorial to Baron James O'Dowda, while at the same time making efforts to contact Ó Dubhda clansmen worldwide.

In September 2003, he handed the white staff of office, the Ó Dubhda standard and the Chief's personal pennant to his successor, Richard F. Dowd.

During his career, he undertook further studies at the New York University Graduate School of Business Administration, gaining the degree of MBA in 1964, and PhD in 1976, for a Doctoral Dissertation entitled, "Efficiency in Government Spending."

After graduating from university he became a Security Analyst with Merrill Lynch (1957–60) before setting up his own business, R F Dowd & Company Inc, becoming President of the Investment Banking firm.

The founding of the Ó Dubhda Clan Association in 1990 was of great interest to him and he was a member right from the start and has not missed one Rally since.

At the 1997 Rally, he was elected Tánaiste (Heir) to the Chieftain and was formally installed in that post at Cahir Mor in September 2000.

In September 2003, he received the white staff as he was inaugurated as the Taoiseach of the Ó Dubhda Clan, and Edward O'Dowd of Chicago was elected Tánaiste.

US Michael F Dowd Clan Ó Dubhda Chieftain 2009–2012 Brisbane Qld, Australia In late 1601 Tadhg Buí, Taoiseach (Chieftain) of the Ó Dubhda Clan, rode with his 50 horsemen to Kinsale accompanied by his brother-in-law Red Hugh O'Donnell and his troops to fight the English and expel them from Ireland forever.

Mike Dowd, Irish national, Australian citizen and resident, and descendant of Tadhg Buí was Inaugurated as Taoiseach in 2009.

The area where Tadhg Buí settled in Kerry was well known to the Clan for thousands of years and is where King Daithi's Memorial Stone was sourced.

Brendan has lived and worked in many different countries including London UK, Boston, MA USA, Vancouver BC.