The Nolans or O'Nolans are the remnants of the tribe that has lived longest in the South East of Ireland. It is a well known fact that they were living in the area prior to the time of Christ. Sometime in the early part of the 5th century they were attacked by the Ui Cinnsealaigh people who came into the area from Munster. The Ui Cinnsealaigh were technologically superior to the resident Fothairt and Ui Bearraic people who lived in the South East of Ireland. They drove down the valleys of the Slaney and the Barrow rivers and pushed the older tribes towards the mountain chain now known as the Blackstairs and southwards to the area near Wexford now known as the baronies of Forth and Bargy. In the mountainous areas of Carlow the Forthairt people eventually adopted the name O'Nuallain and the Ui Bearraic people became known as the Ui Neill. It is still a matter of fact that the Nolans are the most numerous people living in what is still called the Barony of Forth in Carlow. The Ui Bearraic people are still remembered by the name of a townland called Barrack in eastern Carlow.
After the Norman invasion the area was occupied for a time by Norman overlords to whom the O'Nolans paid tribute. When the Kavanaghs revival occurred in the 14th century the O'Nolans became their staunchest allies and they paid their rents to the Kavanaghs.
There was a period of relative calm in the area during the latter part of the 15th century and this continued right through until the early decades of the 16th century. During this period many valuable marriage alliances were formed with the powerful Anglo Norman families such as the Fitzgeralds and the Ormondes.
From about 1530 onwards, in the face of relentless pressure from the English administration the fortunes of the clan and its leaders began to wane.
The book itself is packed with detail about the various septs of the O'Nolans and their fortunes are traced during the very critical period of the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
There is a wealth of information about the many Gaelic families who in the area and others who were their allies. These include families such as O'Ryan, Keogh, Kavanagh, O'Neill (Carlow),O'Byrne, O'Morchoe,O'Toole and O'Moore.
The careers of many English and Anglo Irish families are also traced including Colclough, Hartpole, Baggot, Barry, Birmingham, Butler, Cantwell, Cosby, Eustace, Lecky, Tallon, Wall, Warren, Talbot and Wolseley.

O'Nolan the History of a People by Fr. John Nolan and Art Kavanagh – 2000 :: 330pg. Cardback with many illustrations (black & white).

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