 Although almost nothing is known of their activities for several centuries, the O'Learys reappear as a still titled  family in the 16th century, and relatively wealthy, although they were subject to the MacCarthy of Muskerry dynasty, from whom they received the White Wand (a symbol of authority).They were the only other freeholders in Muskerry besides the O'Mahonys, and had built several castles in their territories, of which Carrignacurra is now the only one still standing.The celebrated Irish language writer Peadar Ua Laoghaire was a descendant of the Carrignacurra branch of the family.