A Genealogy Update

Several months ago, I wrote this as one of my early entries for this, your favorite blog.  The article partially dealt with the history of my family, and my curiosity as to whether I might be related to professional wrestling royalty.  I am happy to report that I have an update regarding this matter. 

As I explained in the particular blog post,

"A few months back, I was doing some research concerning my family tree, and relatives (I was able to trace my parents back through multiple generations).  In the course of my exploration of this topic, I happened upon a relation (on my father's side of the family) that is linked to a family of McMahons...realizing this, I have started to wonder whether I could be at least distantly related to the McMahon wrestling dynasty".  

Tonight, I happened to be randomly pondering events in the "universe" of pro wrestling.  As a result of my deliberations, I began to research the origins of the current product.  I have unearthed some apparent facts that should prove to be VERY interesting.  Allow me, if you will, to clarify these issues.  

In summary:

• My last name is Boland; the family name is descended from the O'Bolands of County Clare, Ireland.  
• The name O'Boland evolved from the name "Boru", as in Brian Boru, an ancient High King of Ireland.  
• Brian Boru is a common ancestor of the Boland and McMahon families.  
• Two different Irish McMahon families exist; one that traces its roots to Clare (the "Thormond" McMahons), and another that has its ancestry in County Monaghan (the "Airgialla" McMahons).  
• The former group of McMahons are not related to the Monaghan-based McMahons(1)(2).  

Now, here's where things get even MORE interesting.  To wit:

• The McMahon wrestling family can be traced back to Roderick McMahon (1848-1922), a hotel owner and immigrant from County Galway.  
• Roderick and wife Elizabeth McMahon (1846-1936) produced four children, including Roderick James "Jess" McMahon.  It is this McMahon who (with others) founded the "Capital Wrestling Corporation", a forerunner to today's World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).    
• Jess and wife Rose E. (Davis) McMahon (1891-1997) had three children, including Vincent J. McMahon (1914-1984).   
• Vincent J. was the father of Vincent Kennedy McMahon (today's Vince McMahon)(1)(2)(3)(4). 

OK, follow me so far? To further clarify this, we must delve into a bit of Irish history, and geography.  

• Galway is part of the Province of Connacht.  
• Clare is part of a different territory, the Province of Munster.  Nevertheless;
• Clare itself was once part of Connacht; in the tenth century, internal strife in Connacht caused Clare to be annexed to Munster (in a previous incarnation as the "Kingdom of Munster").  
• Upon its annexation, Clare was (for the time) renamed as Thomond(2).  

As I previously pointed out,

"According to my Aunt Eileen, my father's side of the family definitely has relatives with (the name of McMahon)".  

Let's break this down for a moment.  My research shows that the wrestling McMahons are descended from the Thomond-based (read: Clare-based) line.  This is the part of the family that can be traced back to Brian Boru, which I am ninety-nine point five percent certain is ALSO MY ANCESTOR (1).  As such, it is at least reasonable to suggest that I am indeed related to the McMahons of pro wrestling.  

(takes the above in for a moment)

Of course, this is an "oh my God" moment for me (thank you Joey Styles), as I have followed pro wrestling with interest seemingly all of my life.  

Now, might I be incorrect in my reasoning and assumptions? Perhaps there is something I haven't considered that proves my theory wrong? Clearly, the answer to this question is yes.  However, and "in any event" (thanks Vince), I believe that the evidence before me is astounding, to say the least.  

I'm going to keep my eye on this; I will attempt to confirm the above information through the Gaelic-American Club of Fairfield, CT.  The organization is a great resource for those who wish to learn about the Irish, or even just gulp down a "pint" or two.  

Anyways, that's "all the news that's fit to print" from the desk of Matty B.  Further updates on this matter will be forthcoming.  

"Until next time....if there IS a next time"  - Don Pardo, former announcer for WNBC-TV

1.  Personal knowledge.  

2.  Various online sources.  

3.  "WWE: Superstars > Hall Of Fame > Vince Mcmahon > Bio". WWE.Com, 2017, http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/vincemcmahon/bio/.  Accessed 2 Apr 2019.

4.  Irish Examiner. "The Fighting Irish And The WWE". 2013, http://irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/features/the-fighting-irish-and-the-wwe-243608.html. Accessed 2 Apr 2019.