  The Macnamaras, (who spell their name in various ways), are a junior branch of the Irish Clann Cuilein, descendants of a king of Munster, who played an important role in their native County Clare’s history during the middle ages. Among their most famous family members were Maccon the Great, one of the victors at the Battle if Dysert O’Dea in 1318 and two who bore the name Sioda – one, the builder of Bunratty Castle around 1450 and the other who got a raw deal when he submitted to King Henry VIII in 1543. During the following centuries, many Macnamaras left |Ireland to earn fame as soldiers and naval men in France or as gentlemen and politicians in Britain.
One of the latter was N.C. Macnamara of London, whose “Story of an Irish Sept” was re-published seven years ago by Martin Breen, who has now placed us further in his debt with the re-issue of this rare but cognate pedigree and extended family history of John Macnamara of London and Wales.
Its author, R.W. Twigge, a frequent correspondent pf the well known Clare antiquary, George U. Macnamara, was an Englishman who clearly empathised with the tragic treatment of Ireland down the years and who almost finished writing a history on the whole Clann Cuilein. The quality of this volume shows what a pity it is that he never succeeded in completing it to the point of publication.
Dr. Peter Harbison
Chairman of Bunratty Castle Ownership and Furniture Trusts
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