Ciardha

The acknowledged fact that the clan finally resided in Carbury (Carbery) not far from the city of Cork, close upon the coast, again rests with the Irish Annuals. In the first century the clan began life in the far north of Ireland. The clan gradually moved south. Mael Ruanaig hau Ciardha, ri Cairpri, do marbadh la firu Teftha ( Mael-Ruanaaig, grandson of Ciarda, king of Cairbre, was killed by the men of Teffa) Seven years later Ciarda was blinded by his brother named Ualgarg, grandson of Ciarda. Just over a hundred years later Hua Ciarda king of Cairbre was felled by the Hui Faelain.

Ciardha is the Irish spelling used for surnames today. The English spelling is Keary, or Ceary. The use of 'K,' one of the letters not used in the Gaelic language, was to assume Englishness. It is up to the individuals, family, what spelling used. Ciardha uses the word Ciar which is given as: black, grey or brown, perhaps originally describing skin, hair or colour of clothes. Saint Ciar, in the first century, declared use and adoption as a clan name. The first letter is pronounced hard as in kick. The websites Ciardha, St. Ciar, Kilkeary and Clan Kearey give the origins eminence. Ciardha, king of Cairbre and O'Ciardha king of Carraighe taken from the Irish Annals. For many years the ancient name has been passed over, and at last now becoming better known and recognized.