The virgin saint was abbess of the famous monastery of Killchere ("Cyra's Church") in that part of Munster which was called Muscragia or Muskerry.
The son of Charles and grandson of Sir Cormac MacCarthy who received English title to his lands towards the end of the 16th century Tudor conquest of Ireland, Donough MacCarthy came from the line of the MacCarthy of Muskerry dynasty based on the barony of Muskerry in what is now western county Cork.
Within Muskerry, prominent non-MacCarthy Gaelic families included the MacSweeneys, O'Learys, O'Healys, and O'Riordans.
Born in Grahamstown, South Africa, he is married to Rita, Lady Muskerry and is resident in Durban, South Africa.