Career
He was an Irish Brehon Lawyer and was a Commissioner for the Composition of Connacht in 1585. In a fiant, "Carta Dermicci O"Halloran, Anno Domini 1594", written in Latin, he is described as "in Christo Nehemian Ffolan, generosum, meum attornatum. He was listed as a landowner of the Newtone, Gentleman, near Loughrea, County Galway, in a fiant, "Indentures of Composition, The Participant of Connacht Called Clanrickard, Anno Domini 1585".
In a deed dated 1594, he purchased land from Dermot O"Shaughnessy for 100 pounds, to "To hold for ever of the chief lord of the fee, by the service thereout due and of right accustomed.
He is described as "Nehemias Folan, of Balladowgan, County Galway, Esquire, 60 years old. This Chalice is still in existence.
He was the Son of Servreagh O"Folan, and appears to have also had two brothers who were also brehon lawyers. Soyrbrehagh Og Folain, in an indenture for John Kinge in May 1606, is described as "Soyrbrehagh Og Folain of Ierconnaght in the Company of Galway atornies for seisin".
Feargananim Folan, in a deed for the O"Flahertys in 1614, FFargananym McServreagh of Moyrish, is described as "our true and lawfull attorney", and signs as Forinan Folan.
He is listed as owner of parcels of lands consisting of 3,678 acres (1488 km2), and 193 acres (078 km2), and was dispossessed of the family lands in 1651. Other O"Folan"s from County Galway included:
Salamon Folan was active during the Irish Rebellion of 1641, and was cited as one of the group of men led by Colonel Edmond O"Flaherty at the siege of Tromroe Castle in County Clare. Ferdindo Follin of Moyrus, Carna, County Galway, listed in 1656 as owner of parcels of lands consisting of 3,678 acres (1488 km2), and 193 acres (078 km2).
His lands were confiscated for rebellious activities and distributed to Sir Thomas Meredith and Richard Martin of Ballynahinch.
Patrick Folan (Galway), killed at the Battle of Inkermann 5 November 1854, during the Crimean War. Cormac Folan of Barna represented Ireland in Rowing at the 2008 Summer Olympics - Men"s coxless four, at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Caleb Folan, is a Republic of Ireland forward, who made his senior debut against Cyprus in October 2008. Thomas Folan of Galway was the Prior of the Dominican Friary In Galway, and was the first recorded King of the Claddagh in the 1850s.
