The ancient parish of Doon lay in the Baronies of Owenybeg,
Coonagh and Kilnemanagh. Baronies were the ancient division of
territory in Ireland before the Norman Invasion. Each barony was
ruled by a different Clan, from which it usually derived its
name. The barony of Owney was divided into Owneytire and
Owneybeg. Owneytire comprised land around the present parish of
Newport, while Owneybeg took in Abington, Cappamore and North
Doon. The name Owney is reputed to derive from a daughter of
Eochlaidh, King of Munster in the 3rd Century A.D. This at first
was part of the territory of Eli O'Carroll and was later ruled
by the O'Donegan clan. In the twelfth century Turlough O'Brien,
descendant of Brian Boru led a raid into this area, dislodged
the O'Donegans and granted the lands of Owney to the O'Maolrians
(O'Mulryans, who came from Carlow). These remained in possession
of the lands until the Cromwellion Plantation. Hence, the
popularity of the name "Ryan" in the area to the present day.
South Doon, Castletown and