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Joseph Henry says that 'curiously enough nearly all these modes of spelling are also erroneously applied to the clan McGauran or McGovern of Tullyhaw, County Cavan--but they derived their surname from a celebrated hero of their tribe called Samhradhain--pronounced Gauran or Govern… the prefix 'Mc' being added at a later period.

However, apparently THE BOOK OF MAGAURAN, at the time of Joseph Henry’s writing had not yet been translated and so he could not benefit from the many Dalriada connections mentioned in that manuscript and which would definitely connect Aiden McGabhran to the Tullyhaw McGoverns.

EDMUND MAGAURAN, WARRIOR PRIMATE OF ALL IRELAND

Joseph Henry McGovern writes that 'it was the Primate, Edmund Magauran, who was the prime mover in the rising and gathering of the great northern chiefs and their clans (against the British).'

The Dictionary of National Biographies devotes three columns to Edmond Magauran and makes it clear that the British regarded him at that time as the chief and most dangerous Irish rebel:

MAGAURAN, EDMUND (1548-1593), Roman catholic archbishop of Armagh, a member of the clan Macgauran or Macgovern of Tullyhaw, Co. Cavan, was born in Maguire’s country in 1548 and appears to have been educated,like his successor, Peter Lombard, at Louvain or more probably at one of the Irish colleges in Spain.

In 1581 he was sent on a mission to the pope by the chiefs of his native country and was appointed bishop of Ardagh on 11 Sept. On 1 July 1587 he was translated (elevated) to the archbishopric of Armagh and primacy of all Ireland, vacant by the death of Richard Creagh. The pallium was granted him on 7 August.

This appointment was gratifying to the northern chiefs, and especially to the Maguires, with whom Magauran was on intimate terms. Magauran was in Ireland in 1589. But in 1592 according to a letter from Sir R. Bingham to Burghley, he went into Spain with letters and great assurance from Hugh Roe O'Donnell and 'McGwyre.'

Philip II (King of Spain) distinctly promised him that Spanish troops should be sent by way of Scotland to aid the Irish in the summer, and Magauran is said to have accompanied Philip into France when he took his daughter to be married to the Duke of Guise.

Before his return home he seems to have also visited Clement VIII who entrusted him with a message to the Irish troops, exhorting them to persevere in their opposition to the queen.