Simon Keegan is the Chieftain (Ceann Fine or Taoiseach) of the Tethbae (Westmeath) line of the Clann MacAodhagain, a direct descendant of the founding clan chief and part of the same clan line that was originally granted this coat of arms. The Clann MacAodhagain (Clan Keegan, also Egan, McKeegan etc) was founded 1000 years ago by Aedhagain Mor in the Roscommon area. The clan was known as Ireland's senior Ollamh and Brehon within the Ui Maine, writing some of Ireland’s ancient laws and acting as teachers, historians, bards, see-ers and judges.
Simon was born in Liverpool, the only son of David Keegan a former Cavalry soldier who guarded the Queen and also worked with the now King Charles III. David Keegan was also a historian, teacher and martial arts master. When his father passed away, Simon inherited the Bata na Bachaille, a blackthorn staff of office that has been in the clan at least 200 years, and held a Derbhfine, being elected Ceann Fine of the Tethbae line of Clann MacAodhagain. He is the eldest Keegan grandson of Walter Keegan, Knight of St Columba whose father Paul Keegan served in the Mercantile Marine, being awarded medals in World War One.
Simon’s great great grandfather John Keegan was born in Drogheda, County Louth in 1852 and was the senior lineal descendant of the Tethbae line and the eldest son of stonemason John Keegan who was from the famous Killucan, Westmeath dynasty of Keegan stonemasons. Simon is the 28th generation descendant from Aedhagain. His ancestors include Giolla na Naomh MacAodhagain (recorded in the Annals as dying in 1401) who was Ollamh-Brehon to the O’Conchobhair of Offaly and the MacGeoghegan of Westmeath; Cosnamhach og MacAodhagain who was killed at Horseleap castle Westmeath in 1422 and was also Ollamh to the O’Conchobhair of Offaly and the MacGeoghegan of Westmeath; Murtagh MacAodhagain, Brehon to the MacGeoghegan in 1526; Murtagh Keegan of Lissanode Westmeath who was outlawed in 1641 and Bryan Keegan of Lissanode Westmeath who was outlawed in 1691. Kinsman Conor Keegan of Westmeath served as a colonel in the siege of Bunratty in 1646, and his family were awarded the arms on this page.
Simon is also an accomplished author. His book "DNA of the Celts" traces the history of the Clan Keegan (Clann MacAodhagain) back 200,000 years and affirms the clan within the Ui Maine tribe and Milesian Celtic people. His book "Pennine Dragon" was the first in 1500 years to identify King Arthur with the historic Arthwys ap Mar for which Simon was invited onto the BBC and the sites identified in the book received full heritage protection. His books are on the reading list at Historic Royal Palaces and sold by English Heritage at castles around the country. Simon is registered with the Council of Celtic Clans and Chiefs and Lords of Ireland.
Simon's mother’s mother was a Molloy, her grandfather being Patrick Molloy who was from Tullamore, county Offaly, the heartland of the Molloy clan for 1000 years. The current chieftain of the clan John Malloy is also registered with the Council of Celtic Clans and Chiefs. The Molloy were part of the Ui Niall and descended from King Niall of the Nine Hostages. Simon’s maternal grandfather Charles James Nelson was a distinguished soldier in the Second World who landed on Sword Beach on D-Day (his 21st birthday). This was the same beach on which the Highland Commandos were led by the hereditary chief of clan Fraser, Lord Lovat, who sent his bagpiper onto the beach. Nelson’s father was descended from the Lords of Bradshaigh who lived at Haigh Hall in Lancashire, including Sir Roger Bradshaigh who was presented a sword and coat of arms by King Charles II. Nelson’s mother was descended from the old Cornish family Tregarthen and the Welsh Hendower in descent from Owain Brogyntyn of Edeyrnion the last king of Powys. The Hendower family were also descendants of the Plantagenet kings of England via the De Cornwall line.
Keegan is also registered in the Genelach Dáil Cuinn Project, a Y-DNA group studying people who historically descend from King Conn Cétchathach (Conn of the Hundred Battles). Simon is identified as a descendant of the haplogroup marker R-Y195212 (Keegan of Westmeath) which comes under R-BY198 (Ui Maine) and in turn downstream of R-DF104 the haplogroup of Conn. His DNA matches include the current O’Conor Don who is the senior descendant of the last true king of Ireland.
Simon Keegan is the only living claimant to the chieftaincy of one of the main lines of the Clann MacAodhagain who can produce an unbroken lineage back to the founding clan chief that is supported by DNA. He runs the Clann MacAodhagain of the Ui Maine (Clann MacAodhagain Brehon Academy) which has Standard Bearers in seven countries and has the oldest and largest social media following of any platform dedicated to the Clann MacAodhagain. Simon was one of the first Keegans to take a family tree DNA test more than 15 years ago. He also teaches authentic Irish martial arts (as well as Japanese, Okinawan and Chinese) having been taught by his father and passed a Blackthorn fighting stick. His Tanaiste (designated successor) as MacAodhagain of Tethbae is his son Edward and his eldest daughter Poppy will also inherit as Nic Aedhagain.
Honours / Decorations: Knight of St Thomas; former Cavalry Trooper (Duke of Lancaster’s Own); Kyoshi (professor) of classical martial arts, recognised by the Japanese royal and imperial families; author of five books; invited to lecture at Huddersfield University; asked by the mayor of Manchester to chair the launch of regional strategy; invited by the prime minister to launch of industrial strategy.
Education: St John Rigby Roman Catholic College
E-Mail: simonkeeganmedia@gmail.com
Website: https://clannmacaodhagain.wordpress.com
