In my previous posting I gave excerpts froman URL about this,oft-times controversial subject regarding copyrighted works. Now I am transcribing the body of a reply that I received 12 February, 1997 from Genealogical Office, Dublin: Dear Padraig O'Gealagain, "Your request for information on the arms appropriate to Galligan and O'Quinn has been referred to me for attention. According to Burke "The General Armory", 1884, no arms are recorderd for either Galligan, Gilligan or McGilligan. I enclose extracts dealing with Quinn and O'Quinn and also accounts from Woulfe, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall (Irish names and surnames) and find the Galligan is a distinct name from Gilligan or Quinn and no arms have been found on record as being appropriateto Galligan. It would be possible to apply for a grant of arms to the Chief Herald. There is no authority for the use of "The" in Irish genealogy or Heraldry. The leaders in the Clan [sic] were known by their surname, O'Neill, O'Donnell. and MacCarthy, etc. In answer to your final query no person is entitled officially to bear arms except under the terms of a grant from the former Ulster Office or from the Chief Herald. Yours sincerely Eilish Ellis (Mrs) " **************************************** The reason for my enquiry to the Genealogical office was two-fold: 1). To check tjhe authenticity of a Coat of Arms blazon on a delicate pottery plate which my wife brought back to me as a gift, from an Irish visit, 2). to check the reference in O'Hart's genealogies where Giolagain was shown as number (I forget) in the line of Ir and from whom decended Gillgan, and #3) to check on the validness of certain persons claiming to be Heads of Serfs using the title "The O'Neill" etc., etc. So, the above letter transcription answered those questions. But the key-words in the Coats of Arms reference are "entitled officially". I take that to mean you can buy a Family Crest, hang it in your Rec-room or where ever, but using it in an official capacity, such as on your business or personal mail could invite a lawsuit from the official owner. ***** Reply to the LIST ONLY - Please! ***** ***** And, thanks for such consideration ***** Pádraig Mór, An Sean Gabhar