The person to whom granted: This was a eminent Glens origin family who moved from the barony of Duhallow in County Cork to France probably after Limerick in 1691. (John) Florence O’Donohue (the spelling on his marriage contract) held very prestigious posts at the Court of King James II in St Germain. He was made the Marquis de la Ronce and de Clinchant in 1712 by Louis XIV.
Current person entitled: The line has only been traced to Florence’s grandchildren amongst which there were three boys.
The blazon: Not known
The crest: Not known
The motto: Not known
Where and when first registered: Probably shortly after 1691
Research carried out: Considerable work had been done by Jacques Farges and Mary Casteleyn and I was given access to their papers. My book ‘O’Donoghue People and Places’ gives more detail.
Ongoing questions: There is no question that arms would have been held. Research in France would be required to trace them. After the defeat of James II of England, the court went into exile in St Germain. James Terry had been serving at the Irish Office of Arms, and took his seal of office and his heraldic records with him to France. As James II still considered himself King of England, Scotland, and Ireland, he needed a herald with him to handle matters of heraldry and ceremonial. In 1690, he appointed Terry to the post of Athlone Herald. Terry continued granting arms to the members of the Irish diaspora until his death in 1725. After his passing, the Irish abroad were obliged to apply to Ulster King of Arms for grants.
The Belgian arms, which follow, give a clue as to what the main features might have been, but differences would have existed.
Sources and acknowledgements: Farges, Jacques – Les Jacobites a Sevres au Chateau de La Ronce 1697 – 1757
Casteleyn, Mary – her papers
Gillespie, Fergus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Terry