Where in Ireland are these two surnames found? Boland & McCarthy. We are planning a trip in sept. and would like to visit

Hi

Many thanks for leaving your message.

MacCarthy or McCarthy (Mac Carthaigh in irish), meaning "Son of the loving one" or "loving", is a common surname that originated in Ireland. There are several forms extant, including Carthy and Carty. 60% of people with the surname in Ireland still live in County Cork where the family was very powerful during the medieval period. McCarthy surname is also very common in parts of Co Kerry.

http://www.libraryireland.com/WestCorkHistory/McCarthys.php

Hope you have a wonderful trip to Ireland.

Paula

Ireland XO Team

Have a look at  the book below, you can get in on Amazon. It's a good general-interest kind of book

McCarthy's Bar: A Journey of Discovery in Ireland 

"Pete McCarthy's tale of his hilarious trip around Ireland has gained thousands of fans all over the world. Pete was born in Warrington to an Irish mother and an English father and spent happy summer holidays in Cork. Years later, reflecting on the many places he has visited as a travel broadcaster, Pete admits that he feels more at home in Ireland than anywhere. To find out whether this is due to rose-coloured spectacles or to a deeper tie with the country of his ancestors, Pete sets off on a trip around Ireland and discovers that it has changed in surprising ways. Firstly obeying the rule 'never pass a pub with your name on it', he encounters McCarthy's bars up and down the land, and meets English hippies, German musicians, married priests and many others. A funny, affectionate look at one of the most popular countries in the world".

http://www.amazon.co.uk/McCarthys-Bar-Journey-Discovery-Ireland/dp/0340766050/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366719409&sr=1-1&keywords=mccarthy

Mrs Doyle