Author Description

Two important septs, or branches, of the McLoughlins and their various namesakes flourished for centuries – in the province of Ulster and the ancient kingdom of Meath. What they both had in common, and their descendants scattered across the globe have today, is a pedigree that stretches back to one of Ireland’s legendary heroes, the gloriously named Niall of the Nine Hostages. Bearers of the name, in all its variety of spellings, have gained international celebrity through a rich variety of pursuits. Born in 1886 in the English county of Kent, Victor McLoughlin became better known as the Academy Award-winning actor Victor McLaglen, having changed the spelling of his name for ease of pronunciation, while in the world of music John McLaughlin, born in 1942 in Yorkshire, is the celebrated British jazz fusion guitarist also known as Mahavishnu John McLaughlin. Chronicled here is the thrilling tale of the McLoughlins of both yesteryear and today.