The Ó Dálaigh were a learned Irish bardic family who first came to prominence early in the 12th century, when Cú Connacht Ó Dálaigh was described as "The first Ollamh of poetry in all Ireland" (ollamh is the Irish word for a university professor). And of course there was the O’Daly Bardic School from 13th to 17th century in Dromnea, Kilcrohane, West Cork.  The modern Irish surnames O'Daly, Daly, Daley, Daily, Dailey and Dawley are derived from Ó Dálaigh.

Below - the map indicates the location of the O'Daly Bardic School

Extract from the Ordnance Survey Sheet of c. 1840 for Dromnea which shows the O'Daly's Bardic Seminary

 

One branch of the Daly clan from Derrynagree (Derrygea), Drimoleague descend from a man known as Seán Mór Daly or in English Big John Daly.  It appears from family lore and DNA data that Seán Mór Daly was a brother to Timothy Daly of Kilnahera, Drimoleague.  We do not know of the wife and family of Seán Mór Daly other than children included below.
 

James Daly

Patrick Daly

John (Seán Beag) Daly

Timothy (Thade) Daly

Denis Daly

Jeremiah Daly

Looking at the earliest records available for the townland we see that John Dealy was a tenant in the Tithe Applotment Books dated 1826 of 206 acres.

In Griffith's Valuation of Ireland c 1850 for this locality we see tenants of virtually 160 acres listed as John Daly, Patrick Daly, Denis Daly and James Daly in Derrynagree townland