Clans of Ireland

Independent national body of Irish Clans

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Clans of Ireland
Finte na hÉireann

Formation| 1989; 36 years ago (1989)[1]
Founder| Rory O'Connor Kerry
Type| Irish clans
Irish genealogy
Gaelic culture
Website| www.clansofireland.ie

Clans of Ireland (Irish: Finte na hÉireann) is an Irish charity established to authenticate, represent and co-ordinate the activities of Irish clans. Founded in 1989, it has operated under the patronage of the President of Ireland since 2012.[2]

It is a voluntary non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting clans and their chiefs through research, promoting clan rallies, and advancing DNA studies.[3][4]

## Background and foundation

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See also: Irish clans and List of Irish clans

In 1989, the Genealogical Office (which includes the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland) "found space" at its premises in Kildare Street, Dublin, for the new organisation.[5][failed verification]

In 2012, Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland, became patron of Clans of Ireland.[2]

## Order of Clans of Ireland

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In 2010, the 21st anniversary of its foundation, Clans of Ireland instituted the Order of Clans of Ireland, an order of merit established to honour individuals who contributed to Irish culture and heritage or who have brought honour to their clan.[6][7]

### Structure and appointment

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President Michael D. Higgins, patron of the Order of Clans of Ireland since 2012, receives his insignia from Michael J. Egan, chair of Clans of Ireland, in May 2012

An invitation for nominations is sent each September to all clans which have "maintained their registration with Clans of Ireland for three consecutive years or more".[6] As of 2024, the Clans of Ireland website indicated that "no more than four individuals can recieve [sic] the award each year".[8]

The order is administered by a council which convenes each Spring and considers the nominations received. The names of the successful nominations are published on 17 March (St. Patrick's Day). A number of past recipients have been inducted at a ceremony in Dublin, during April, when they received their insignia.[6] Inductees are designated as Companions of the Order of Clans of Ireland or in Irish Compánach Fhinte na hÉireann.[6]

Breast Insignia and Miniature of the Order of Clans of Ireland

The order's insignia, designed by heraldic artist Tim O'Neill, consists of a gold medal under an azure blue ribbon on a gold bar.[citation needed]

### Companions of the Order (Members)

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Minister Leo Varadkar presenting the Order of Clans of Ireland to Dr. Nollaig Ó Muraíle RIA at the Mansion House, Dublin

From 2011 to 2024, between one and seven appointments were made to the order annually. There were no appointments in 2015, 2021, 2022 or 2023.[9] In 2013, a number of conferrings were presented by the then Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht at the Irish Embassy in Italy.[10]

Notable past inductees have included:[9]

* (2011) James O'Higgins Norman, author and academic at Dublin City University[9]
* (2012) Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland[9]
* (2012) Nollaig Ó Muraíle RIA, author and academic at NUIG who transcribed and translated MacFhirbhisigh's Great Book of Irish Genealogies[9]
* (2013) Mary McAleese, President of Ireland 1997–2011.[10]
* (2013) Pádraig Ó Fiannachta, Irish-language scholar, poet and priest.[9]

## See also

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* Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains
* Irish honours system

## References

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1. ^ "Fáilte roimh Finte na hÉireann ~ Welcome to Clans of Ireland". clansofireland.ie. Clans of Ireland. Retrieved 8 December 2021. "established in 1989 to register Irish clans and historical families"
2. ^ a b "The OSullivan Clan of Munster". osullivanclan.com. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
3. ^ "Clan O'Byrne registered with the Clans of Ireland 2018". clanobyrne.com. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
4. ^ "Irish Chiefs' and Clans' Prize - About" (PDF) (Press release). Retrieved 10 May 2025 - via Trinity College Dublin.
5. ^ "Irish Historical Mysteries: MacCarthy Mór Hoax". homepage.eircom.net. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
6. ^ a b c d "Order of Merit (2016)". clansofireland.ie. Clans of Ireland. Archived from the original on 29 August 2016.
7. ^ "Longford Farrell Clan Chieftain receives top accolade". LongfordLive. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
8. ^ "Order of Merit (2024)". clansofireland.ie. Clans of Ireland. Archived from the original on 2 April 2024.
9. ^ a b c d e f "Order of Merit". clansofireland.ie. Clans of Ireland. Archived from the original on 10 May 2025.
10. ^ a b "Press Release - Minister to Confer the Order of Clans of Ireland at the Mansion House, Dublin, on Saturday 27th April" (Press release). Merrionstreet.ie. 26 April 2013. Archived from the original on 25 February 2019.

## External links

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* Official website

* v
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Gaels

General history|

* Gaelic Ireland
* Pre-Norman invasion Irish Celtic kinship groups
* High King of Ireland
* Irish kingdoms
* Dál Riata
* Alba
* Nine Years' War
* Statutes of Iona
* Flight of the Earls
* Plantation of Ulster
* 1641 Rebellion
* Act for the Settlement of Ireland 1652
* Jacobitism
* Jacobite rising of 1745
* Penal Laws
* Great Hunger
* Irish diaspora
* Highland Clearances
* Gaelic Revival
* Gaeltacht
* Gàidhealtachd

Gaelic culture|

* Ogham
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* Lebor Gabála Érenn
* Gaelic warfare
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* Gaelic kinship
* Bardic poetry
* Gaelic literature (Early Irish, Modern Irish, Scottish Gaelic & Manx)
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* Gaelic Christian mission

Language|

* Primitive Irish
* Old Irish
* Middle Irish
* Classical Gaelic
* Irish
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Clans|

| Irish|

* Royal families
* Kings
* Medical families
* Nobility
* Genealogy

| List|

* Connachta (incl. Uí Néill, Clan Colla, Clan Donald, Uí Mháine, etc)
* Dalcassians (incl. Déisi)
* Eóganachta
* Érainn (incl. Dál Riata, Corcu Loígde, Dál Fiatach, etc)
* Laigin
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|

* Scottish
* List

Related
organisations|

* Údarás na Gaeltachta
* Foras na Gaeilge
* Bòrd na Gàidhlig
* Culture Vannin
* Conradh na Gaeilge
* An Comunn Gàidhealach
* Yn Çheshaght Ghailckagh
* Seachtain na Gaeilge
* Gael Linn
* ULTACH Trust
* Comunn na Gàidhlig
* Columba Project
* Clans of Ireland
* An Coimisinéir Teanga

Related subjects|

* Haplogroup R-M269 (human genetics)
* Celts
* Norse–Gaels (incl. Uí Ímair and Clan MacLeod)
* Kingdom of Munster
* Kingdom of the Isles
* Gaelicisation

* Category

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Gaelic Irish genealogy

General|

* Irish clans (list)
* Pre-Norman invasion Irish Celtic kinship groups
* Irish annals
* Irish bardic poetry
* Fili
* Ollamh
* Seanchaí
* Gaelic nobility of Ireland
* Chief of the Name
* Irish heraldry
* Irish diaspora
* Genealogical Society of Ireland
* Genealogical Office
* National Archives of Ireland
* Clans of Ireland
* Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains

Works|

* Chronicle of Ireland
* Triallam timcheall na Fodla
* Tuilleadh feasa ar Éirinn óigh
* Leabhar Adhamh Ó Cianáin
* Leabhar Cloinne Maoil Ruanaidh
* Leabhar Ua Maine
* Leabhar na nGenealach
* Ó Cléirigh Book of Genealogies
* An Leabhar Muimhneach
* Annals of the Four Masters
* Griffith's Valuation
* Census of Ireland, 1901
* Census of Ireland, 1911

Genealogists|

* Seán Mór Ó Dubhagáin
* Giolla na Naomh Ó hUidhrín
* Adhamh Ó Cianáin
* Faolán Mac an Ghabhann na Scéal
* Cú Choigcríche Ó Cléirigh
* Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh
* James Ware
* Geoffrey Keating
* James Terry
* Chevalier O'Gorman
* John O'Hart
* Rev. Patrick Woulfe
* Edward MacLysaght

* Category

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