View source for Irish clans

{{Short description|Gaelic kinship groups}}
{{use Hiberno-English|date=May 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
'''Irish clans''' are traditional [[kinship]] groups sharing a common surname and heritage and existing in a lineage-based society, originating prior to the 17th century.{{sfn|Nicholls|2003|pp=8–11}} A clan (or {{lang|ga|fine}} in Irish, plural {{lang|ga|finte}}) included the chief and his [[Patrilineality|patrilineal]] relatives;<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Aitchison |first1=N. B. |title=Kingship, Society, and Sacrality: Rank, Power, and Ideology in Early Medieval Ireland |journal=Traditio |date=1994 |volume=49 |page=46|doi=10.1017/S036215290001299X }}</ref> however, Irish clans also included unrelated clients of the chief.{{sfn|Bhreathnach|2014|p=79}} These unrelated clients and their agnatic descendants were ineligible to be elected chief, but nonetheless assumed the name of the leading lineage as a show of allegiance.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nash |first1=Catherine |title=Irish origins, Celtic origins |journal=Irish Studies Review |date=2006 |volume=14 |issue=1 |pages=11–37|doi=10.1080/09670880500439760 }}</ref>

Beginning in the 8th century, various genealogical collections were compiled purporting to trace the ancestry of these clans. Among them are genealogies in [[Bodleian_Library,_MS_Rawlinson_B_502|Rawlinson B 502]], the [[Book of Ballymote]], the [[Great_Book_of_Lecan|Book of Lecan]], the [[Leabhar_na_nGenealach|''Leabhar Mór na nGenealach'']] compiled by Dubhaltach MacFhirbisigh, and the [[Ó Cléirigh Book of Genealogies]]. In all of these cases, the genealogies listed state the agnatic descent of the chiefs and chieftains, and not necessarily every member of the clan. At least one genetic study has concluded that while these genealogies appear fairly accurate back to the Middle Ages, they are unreliable before the 7th century.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=DePew |first1=Kyle |last2=Gleeson |first2=Maurice |last3=Jaski |first3=Bart |title=Tracing the Sons of Brión: The R1b-A259 Y-DNA Subclade and the Uí Briúin Dynasty of Connacht |journal=Peritia |date=2023 |volume=34 |page=9 |doi=10.1484/J.PERIT.5.136859 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Y-DNA Sheds New Light on the Medieval Genealogies of the Uí Briúin Dynasty of Northwest Ireland, Part 2 |date=18 June 2024 |url=https://blog.familytreedna.com/y-dna-medieval-genealogies-ui-briuin-dynasty-part-2/}}</ref>

==Definition of "clan"==

The Irish word ''clann'' is a borrowing from the Latin ''planta'', meaning 'a plant, an offshoot, offspring, a single child or children, by extension race or descendants'.{{sfn|Connolly|2007|pp=101–102}} For instance, the [[Ó Dálaigh|O'Daly]] family were poetically known as ''Clann Dalaigh'', from a remote ancestor called Dalach.{{sfn|Connolly|2007|pp=101–102}}

''Clann'' was used in the later Middle Ages to provide a plural for surnames beginning with ''Mac'' meaning 'son of'.{{sfn|Connolly|2007|pp=101–102}} For example, "Clann Cárthaigh" meant the men of the MacCarthy family and "[[Clan Sweeney|Clann Suibhne]]" meant the men of the MacSweeny family.{{sfn|Connolly|2007|pp=101–102}} ''Clann'' was also used to denote a subgroup within a wider surname, the descendants of a recent common ancestor, such as the ''Clann Aodha Buidhe'' or the ''[[O'Neill dynasty|O'Neills]]'' of Clandeboy, whose ancestor was Aodh Buidhe who died in 1298.{{sfn|Connolly|2007|pp=101–102}} Such a "clan", if sufficiently closely related, could have common interests in landownership, but any political power wielded by their chief was territorially based.{{sfn|Connolly|2007|pp=101–102}}

From ancient times, Irish society was organised around traditional kinship groups or clans. These clans traced their origins to larger pre-surname population groupings or clans such as [[Uí Briúin]] in [[Connacht]], [[Eóganachta]] and [[Dál gCais]] in [[Munster]], [[Uí Néill]] in [[Ulster]], and [[Fir Domnann]] in [[Leinster]].{{sfn|Ó Muraíle|2003}} Within these larger groupings there tended to be one ''[[sept]]'' (division) who through war and politics became more powerful than others for a period of time and the leaders of some were accorded the status of [[Rí|royalty]] in Gaelic Ireland. Some of the more important septs to achieve this power were [[O'Conor dynasty|O'Connor]] in Connacht, [[MacCarthy dynasty|MacCarthy]] of Desmond and [[O'Brien dynasty|O'Brien]] of Thomond in Munster, Ó Neill of Clandeboy in Ulster, and [[MacMurrough dynasty|MacMorrough]] Kavanagh in Leinster.

The largely symbolic role of [[High king of Ireland]] tended to rotate among the leaders of these royal clans.{{sfn|Curley|2004}} The larger or more important clans were led by a {{lang|ga|taoiseach}} or chief who had the status of royalty and the smaller and more dependent clans were led by chieftains. Under [[Brehon law]], the leaders of Irish clans were appointed by their kinsmen as custodians of the clan and were responsible for maintaining and protecting their clan and its property. The clan system formed the basis of society up to the 17th century.{{sfn|Duggan|2013|p=116}}

==Origins==
===The O'Rahilly doctrine===

According to [[T. F. O'Rahilly]], in his works ''Goides and Their Predecessors'' and later ''Early Irish History'', there were a total of four waves of Celtic invasions of the British Isles and that the first three of these were pre-Gaelic.<ref name="Ulster.22&266">Brady, Ciaran; O'Dowd, Mary; Walter, Brian (1989). pp. 22 and 26</ref><ref name="Dillon.Chadwick.5">Dillon, Myles; Chadwick, Nora (2000). p. 5</ref> According to O'Rahilly, these were people who had largely remained unconquered by the [[Roman people|Romans]] whose territory was mostly restricted to the broad plains of [[England]]. A larger part of England remained out of the control of the West Germanic people who invaded after the imperial collapse of [[Roman Britain]] and who founded the English nation.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|p=17}} 

O'Rahilly's version of the origins of the Irish, as supported by C. Thomas Cairney and John Grenham is as follows: The first of the Celtic invaders of Ireland were known as the [[Cruthin]] who arrived between 800 and 500 [[Before Christ|BC]].{{sfn|Cairney|1989|p=17}}

The second wave of Celts to come to Ireland were known as the [[Erainn]] and this is supposedly where the Gaelic name for Ireland, [[Erin]], originated from. These people arrived between 500 and 100 BC. They came from the area which is today known as [[Belgium]] and had superior iron weaponry, and thus eventually reduced the Irish Cruthin to tributary status. The third wave of Celtic settlement in Ireland came from [[Continental Europe]] during the first century BC and this was probably because of pressure from the Romans on the south of [[Gaul]]. These people were known as the [[Dumnonii]] and gave their name to [[Devon]] in England. Their most powerful branch in Ireland was the [[Laigin]] who gave their name to [[Leinster]]. A branch of the Irish group of the Dumnonii settled just to the south of [[Dumbarton]] in [[Scotland]] and were the ancestors of the [[Strathclyde-Briton]]s.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|p=18}}

The fourth and last major Celtic settlements in Ireland took place around 50 BC. This was directly because of Roman attempts to dominate the [[Gauls]] of Continental Europe. This included, among others, a group known as the ''Feni'' who came to Ireland directly from the Continent and according to tradition landed in south [[County Kerry|Kerry]] and the [[River Boyne|Boyne]] estuary. The earlier inhabitants of the country fiercely resisted the newcomers who were referred to as the ''[[Gaels|Gaeil]]'' because they spoke the [[Irish language|Gaelic language]]. The power and influence of the ''Gaeils'' gradually spread over the next three centuries, northwards, from Kerry into [[County Tipperary|Tipperary]] and [[Limerick]], as well as to the west into [[Galway]] and [[Roscommon]].{{Clarify|date=July 2024|reason=Are the cities of Limerick, Galway and Roscommon town intended here or (more likely) their respective counties}} By the 5th century they were dominant in most of Ireland and had established dynasties and tribal groups. These groups determined the Irish politics and culture until the [[Norman invasion of Ireland]] which took place during the late 12th century.<ref name="Grenham">Grenham, John (1993). pp. 18-19</ref>

===Modern opinion===
[[File:Ireland900.png|thumb|Map of Ireland AD 900, with major kingdoms and principal Viking towns]]
O'Rahilly's version of history has been questioned by archaeologists and historians who have played down the role of the Cruthin as invaders, including by [[Ian Adamson]].<ref name="Ulster.22.26quote">Brady, Ciaran; O'Dowd, Mary; Walter, Brian (1989). pp. 22 and 26. Quoting: [[Ian Adamson|Adamson, Ian]] (1974). ''Cruthin: The Ancient Kindred''. Newtownards. p. 12</ref> O'Rahilly's history has been entirely unaccepted by some historians including [[Francis John Byrne]].<ref name="Ulster.22.quote">Brady, Ciaran; O'Dowd, Mary; Walter, Brian (1989). p. 22. Quoting: [[Francis John Byrne|Byrne. F. J.]] (1965). ''The Ireland of Saint Columba''. Historical Studies, 5, p. 38</ref> According to [[Myles Dillon]] and [[Nora K. Chadwick]], while O'Rahilly's version of history has been accepted by some scholars and dismissed by others, it is an entirely traditional history that he had sourced from ''[[Lebor Gabála Érenn]]'' which was a historic manuscript written in the 11th century, also known as the ''Book of the Invasions of Ireland'', and not historic facts based on contemporary evidence.<ref name="Dillon.Chadwick.5-6">Dillon, Myles; Chadwick, Nora (2000). pp. 5-6</ref> [[J. P. Mallory]] stated that O'Rahilly has argued that this manuscript showed that the [[medieval]] people of Ireland had seen a series of invasions from whom various dynasties and families might have traced their origins to.{{sfn|Mallory|2017|p=206}}

According to Mallory, Ireland may have been inhabited by [[Paleolithic]] (Old Stone Age) hunters, but that the evidence for this is only a few pieces of [[flint]].{{sfn|Mallory|2017|p=37}} The first actual evidence of human residence in Ireland dates to around 8000 BC.{{sfn|Mallory|2017|p=40}} Evidence of the first [[Neolithic]] farmers in Ireland dates to around 4000 BC.{{sfn|Mallory|2017|p=72}} There is little evidence of a warrior elite in Ireland before 1500 BC and evidence for this appears during the [[Bronze Age]] where everyone of a wealthy class had weaponry.{{sfn|Mallory|2017|p=129}} The Irish language first appeared from between 700/600 BC and 400 [[Anno Domini|AD]] during the [[Iron Age]].{{sfn|Mallory|2017|p=157}} During this time, the Irish people came into contact with Roman traders.{{sfn|Mallory|2017|p=158}}

According to the writers of ''Ulster: An Illustrated History'', there is evidence for the [[Ulaid]] who are referred to as the [[Erainn]] by some genealogists which is also the name given on [[Ptolemy's map of Ireland]] which dates from the second century AD for the [[Iverni]] who lived in [[County Cork]], as well as being the origin of the name for Ireland. The centre of the Ulaid's land was in the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Down and Connor|Diocese of Down]]. The main population group of the Ulaid was the Cruthin whose territory was in the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Dromore|Diocese of Connor and Dromore]]. There is also evidence for the [[Loígis]] in Leinster and the [[Cíarraige]] in [[Munster]] who also belong to this group and it is possible that their ancestors in Ireland were pre-Celtic.<ref name="Ulster.27">Brady, Ciaran; O'Dowd, Mary; Walter, Brian (1989). p. 27</ref> It is also possible to identify from Ptolemy's map the [[Dál Riata]] of [[County Antrim]] who later founded a powerful kingdom in [[Argyll]], Scotland.{{sfn|Duffy|2011|pp=14-15}} The 11th century ''Lebor Gabála Érenn'' or ''Book of the Invasions of Ireland'', describes a series of failed invasions of Ireland before settlement in the 8th century.{{sfn|Mallory|2017|p=201}} However, by the 8th century battles in Ireland were not between the natives and invaders but between tribes and dynasties for control of different parts of the island.<ref name="Ulster.27"/> [[Donnchadh Ó Corráin]] put the evidence for the Irish naitional identity back to the 7th century emphasising the impact that [[Christianity]] had on the people there.{{sfn|Mallory|2017|p=291}}

In 1002, the [[Uí Néill]] lost the high kingship of Ireland to the leader of the [[Dal gCais]] or [[Dalcassians]], Brian Boru. It was during the century of declining Uí Néill dominance that surnames first started being used in Ireland. This meant that Ireland was one of the first countries in Europe to start using surnames. Descendants of [[Niall of the Nine Hostages]], who was the ancestor of the Uí Néill dynasty, include people with the surnames [[O'Boyle family|O'Boyle]], [[O'Conor dynasty|O'Connor]] and [[O'Donnell dynasty|O'Donnell]]. From the Dal gCais or Dalcassians came the surnames [[O'Brien dynasty|O'Brien]] and [[O'Kennedy|Kennedy]].{{sfn|Mallory|2017|p=215}}

==Social structure==
[[File:Ireland early peoples and politics.gif|thumb|Map of Ireland with tribes and petty kingdoms, AD 800]]
Within the ''Gaeil'' there was distinction between the tribes of the south from those of the north, and also from those of the west. The tribes in the south called themselves the [[Eoghanacht]] and in about the year 400 AD they established at [[Cashel, County Tipperary|Cashel]] a dynasty which held power throughout most of southern Ireland from the 5th to 12th centuries. The Munster families of [[O'Sullivan family|O'Sullivan]], [[MacCarthy dynasty|MacCarthy]] and [[O'Connell (name)|O'Connell]] claim descent from the Eoghanacht.<ref name="Grenham"/>

In the midlands of Ireland, the ''Gaeil'' tribes were known as [[Connachta]] and their name continues in the modern province of [[Connacht]]. The most important of the Connacta tribes was the Uí Néill who claimed descent from Niall of the Nine Hostages. Niall's brothers included [[Ailill mac Echach Mugmedóin|Ailill]], [[Brión mac Echach Muigmedóin|Brion]] and [[Fiachrae|Fiachra]] who were founders of the important Connachta tribes of Ui Ailella, [[Uí Briúin]] and [[Uí Fiachrach]].<ref name="Grenham"/>

Although the Eoghanacht and Uí Néill were the most powerful tribal groups in Ireland, there were others who were locally powerful including the [[Airgíalla]] in the north-east where they controlled what is now the counties of [[County Tyrone|Tyrone]], [[County Armagh|Armagh]], [[County Fermanagh|Fermanagh]] and [[County Monaghan|Monaghan]]. There was also the [[Ulaid]]h who inhabited what is now the counties of [[County Down|Down]] and [[County Antrim|Antrim]].<ref name="Grenham"/>

Within these large areas there were up to 150 small divisions known as [[túath|túatha]] and the names of many of these are reflected today in the names of the [[Barony (Ireland)|Irish baronies]] that make up the modern counties. Each túath had a ruler or [[Petty kingdom|petty king]] who owed allegiance to a more powerful king who was over-king of three or more túatha. This over-king would in turn be subordinate to the king of a province, usually either the Eoghanacht or Uí Néill.<ref name="Grenham"/>

The succession of kings or chiefs was governed by a system known as [[Tanistry]] whereby after a chief had died, the new chief would be elected from all agnatic cousins descended from a patrilineal grandfather or great-grandfather.<ref>{{cite book |last=Fisher |first=Joseph |year=1877 |title=The History of Land Holding in Ireland |url=https://archive.org/details/historylandhold00fishgoog/page/n4/mode/2up |location=London |publisher=[[Longmans Green]] |pages=[https://archive.org/details/historylandhold00fishgoog/page/n14/mode/2up 11]-16 |access-date=October 3, 2023}}</ref><ref name="MacNeill">{{cite journal |last=MacNeill |first=Eoin |author-link=Eoin MacNeill |date=September 1919 |title=The Irish Law of Dynastic Succession |journal=An Irish Quarterly Review |volume=8 |issue=31 |pages=367–382|jstor=30092775}}</ref> However, according to [[Eoin MacNeill]], the system known as tanistry which also took place before the position of king or chief had become vacant is not found in records until the time of [[feudalism]] in Ireland which was not until the time of the Normans, and it was preceded by the similar system known as ''Rigdomna'' but which took place only after the position of king or chief had become vacant.<ref name="MacNeill"/> This theory however, was disputed by [[Gearóid Mac Niocaill]] who stated that there is no good evidence to support that the usage of the term ''Rigdomna'' in early medieval Ireland was any different to that of ''tanaise'' (Tanistry) in late medieval Ireland and that the two terms were synonymous with each other. Although Mac Niocaill did state that MacNeill was correct in identifying a number of cases where ''Rigdomna'' was limited to a four generation group in early medieval Ireland but in late medieval Ireland it was almost always the son, brother or nephew of the king.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Mac Niocaill |first=Gearóid |author-link=Gearóid Mac Niocaill |year=1968 |title=The 'Heir Designate' In Early Medieval Ireland |journal=Irish Jurist |volume=3 |issue=2 |pages=326–329 |jstor=44025906}}</ref>

{{see also|List of Irish kingdoms|Gaelic nobility of Ireland}}

==Tribes of the Cruthin==

As per O'Rahilly's doctrine, the [[Cruthin]] were the first Celts to settle in Ireland between about 800 and 500 BC.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|p=51}} In line with this, according to Cairney, from them descended the following Irish tribes. Although it is not possible to prove O'Rahilly's history of the four Celtic invasions of Ireland or that the Cruthin were the first of these invasions, or that the following Irish tribes descended from them, according to historian Sean Duffy, the existence of all three of the following Irish tribes in around the 7th century is supported by the literature of the time that came to Ireland with Christianity.<ref name="Duffy.14.15.18.19">Duffy (2011). pp. 14, 15, 18, 19: "This material, the most comprehensive to survive in any country of [[Dark Ages (historiography)|Dark Age]] Europe, enables us to reconstruct the political map of Ireland even at this early period".</ref>

*The [[Dal nAraide]]. Irish surnames that came from this tribe include: [[Lynch (surname)|O'Lynch]], MacGenises, and [[MacCartan]]. The latter two later became tributaries of the O'Neills.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|p=53}}
*The [[Soghain]]. Their chief was in later times known as [[Manning|O'Mannin]] or Mannions and this has sometimes become Manning.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|p=54}}
*The [[Loígis]]. Irish surnames which came from this tribe include: [[Moore (surname)|O'Mores]], [[Nolan (surname)|O'Nolans]], O'Dorans, [[O'Lawlor]]s and [[O'Dowling]]s.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|p=54}}

==Tribes of the Erainn==

As per O'Rahilly's doctrine, the [[Erainn]] were the second wave of Celts to settle in Ireland between about 500 and 100 BC.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|p=61}} In line with this, according to Cairney, from them descended the following Irish tribes. Although it is not possible to prove O'Rahilly's history of the four Celtic invasions of Ireland or that the Erainn were the second of these invasions, or that the following Irish tribes descended from them, according to historian Sean Duffy, with the exception of the Clann Choinleagain, the existence of all of the following Irish tribes in around the 7th century is supported by the literature of the time that came to Ireland with Christianity.<ref name="Duffy.14.15.18.19"/>

*The Clann Choinleagain (or MacGifoyles). This was an ancient clan located in the territory of the [[O'Carroll|O'Carrol]]s of Ely.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|p=61}}
*The [[Conmaicne]] Rein. The chiefly families of this tribe were the MacRannalls, [[Cornyn|O'Cornyn]]s, [[Ó Fearghail|O'Farrell]]s, O'Moledys and [[Quinn (surname)|O'Quins]].{{sfn|Cairney|1989|p=61}}
*The [[Corcu Duibne|Corca Dhuibhne]]. The chiefly families of this tribe were the [[O'Connell family of Derrynane|O'Connells]] and [[O'Shea]]s.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|p=63}}
*The [[Corcu Loígde|Corca Laoghdne]]. The chiefly families of this tribe were the [[O'Coffey]], [[Dinneen|O'Dinneen]], [[O'Driscoll (surname)|O'Driscoll]], [[O'Flynn]], [[O'Hea]], [[O'Hennessy]] and [[O'Leary]].{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=63-64}}
*The [[Corco Modhruadh]]. The chiefly families of this tribe were the [[O'Conor dynasty|O'Connors]] of [[Corcomroe (barony)|Corcomroe]], MacCurtins, O'Loghlens or [[O'Loughlin]]s, [[O'Davoren]]s and the Corca Thine.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=64-65}}
*The Dal Cairbre Arad. The chiefly family of this tribe was the [[Clan O'Dwyer|O'Dwyer]]s.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|p=65}}
*The [[Dal gCais]] ([[Dalcassians]]). The chiefly families of this tribe were the [[O'Brien dynasty]] who were the main chiefs, but also the [[MacConsidine]]s, MacDonnells, MacLysaghts, [[McMahon clans|MacMahons]], [[Ahern|O'Aherne]]s, [[O'Kennedy]]s, [[Shanahan|O'Shanahan]]s, O'Duracks, [[Clan McGrath|MacGrath]]s, [[Fogarty|O'Fogarty]]s, [[Galvin (surname)|O'Galvins]], [[O'Grady family|O'Gradys]], [[O'Hanrahan]]s, [[O'Hickey]]s, [[O'Meara]]s, [[Moloney (surname)|O'Molonys]], O'Moroneys, O'Hartagans, O'Lonergans, [[Creagh]]s, O'Quins, [[MacNamara]]s, [[McInerney|MacInerneys]], [[O'Dea]]s and [[O'Griffey]]s.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=65-69}}
*The [[Déisi]]. Their chief was [[Phelan (surname)|O'Phelan]].{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=69-70}}
*The [[Partraige]]. Their chiefly family was the [[O'Malley (surname)|O'Malley]]s.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|p=70}}
*The [[Uaithni]]. Their chiefly family was the [[O'Heffernan|O'Hefferman]]s.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|p=70}}
*The [[Uí Bairrche]]. Their chiefly families were the [[Tracy (name)|O'Tracy]]s and [[MacGorman]]s.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=70-71}}
*The [[Ui Fidgenti]]. Their chiefly families were the [[Cullen (surname)|O'Cullanes]], O'Kinneallys, [[O'Donovan family|O'Donovans]] and MacEnerys.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|p=71}}
*The [[Ulaid]]. Their chiefly family was the [[MacDonlevy]]s.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=71-72}}

==Tribes of the Dumnonii or Laigin==
[[File:Ireland 1450.png|thumb|Ireland in 1450 showing lands held by native Irish clans (green), the [[Normans in Ireland|Anglo-Irish]] (blue) and the [[The Pale|English king]] (dark grey)]]
As per O'Rahilly's doctrine, the [[Dumnonii]] or [[Laigin]] were the third wave of Celts to settle in Ireland during the first century BC.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=78-79}} In line with this, according to Cairney, from them descended the following Irish tribes. Although it is not possible to prove O'Rahilly's history of the four Celtic invasions of Ireland or that the Dumnonii or Laigin were the third of these invasions, or that the following Irish tribes descended from them, according to historian Sean Duffy, with the exception of the [[Ciarraighe]] Loch na nAirne and the Feara Cualann, the existence of all of the following Irish tribes in around the 7th century is supported by the literature of the time that came to Ireland with Christianity.<ref name="Duffy.14.15.18.19"/>

*The [[Ciannachta|Cianacht]]. Their chiefly families were the O'Connors of [[Keenaght (barony)|Keenaght]] and the "race of [[Luighne]]" or "[[Lugh]]" which in turn included the chiefly families of [[O'Hara (surname)|O'Hara]] and [[O'Gara]].{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=78-79}}
*The Dealbhna Eathra and [[Delbhna Nuadat]]. Their chiefly families were the O'Hanlys,{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=78-79}} MaCoghlans and O'Conrahys.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=80-81}}
*The Saithne. Their chiefly family was the [[O'Casey]]s.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=80-81}}
*The [[Ciarraighe]] Loch na nAirne. Their chiefly family was the [[O'keiran|O'Kieran]]s.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=81-82}}
*The Ciarraighe Luachra. Their chiefly family was the O'Connors of Kerry.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=81-82}}
*The [[Eile]]. Their chiefly families were the [[O'Carroll|O'Carrol]]s of Ely, [[Ó Meachair|O'Mahers]], [[O'Riordan]]s, and [[O'Flanagan]]s.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=81-82}}
*The [[Ui Failghe]]. Their chiefly families were the O'Connors of Offaly,{{sfn|O'Hart|1892|pp=840-843}} O'Mooneys, MacColgans, [[O'Hennessy|O'Hennessey]]s, [[O'Holohan]]s, [[O'Dempsey]]s, and [[O'Dunne]]s.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=82-83}}
*The Feara Cualann. Their chiefly families were the O'Cullens and [[Ó Maoilriain|O'Mulryans]].{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=82-83}}
*The [[Uí Ceinnselaig|Ui Ceinnsealaigh]]. Their chiefly families were the [[Kavanagh (surname)|Kavanaghs]], [[Kinsella]]s, [[Murphy|O'Murphy]]s, and O'Morchoes.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=84-85}}{{sfn|O'Hart|1892|pages=692-707}}
*The [[Uí Dúnlainge]]. Their chiefly families were the [[O'Byrne family|O'Byrne]]s and [[O'Toole family|O'Tooles]].{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=84-85}}{{sfn|O'Hart|1892|pages=760-765}}
*The [[Ui Maine]]. Their chiefs were the [[Ó Ceallaigh|O'Kellys]] but also included the O'Fahys, [[Horan|O'Horans]], [[O'Sheehan]]s, [[O'Donnellan]]s, [[Madden (surname)|O'Maddens]], [[Concannon|O'Concannons]], [[Mullen|O'Mullens]], [[O'Malley (surname)|O'Malley]]s, O'Naghtens,{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=85-87}} and [[O'Houlihan (dynasty)|O'Houlihans]].{{sfn|O'Hart|1892|pp=487-488}}
*The [[Oirghialla]] ([[Airgíalla]] or Oriel). Their chiefly families were the MacBradys, [[O'Boylan]]s, [[O'Flanagan]]s, O'Mulroonys or Moroneys, [[Maguire family|Maguires]], MacKerans, [[McAuley (surname)|MacAuleys]], O'Cassidys, [[Corrigan (surname)|O'Corrigans]], MacManuses, [[McMahon clans|MacMahons]], [[MacCann]]s, O'Hanraghtys, [[Ó hAnluain|O'Hanlon]]s, O'Lynns, [[McEvoy|MacEvoys]], MacDonalds, MacDonells, MacAlisters, MacIans, MacSheeys, MacIntyres, MacDougals, and [[Conn (name)|Conns]].{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=87-88}}{{efn|group=upper-alpha|Although manuscript genealogies, including the [[Book of Ballymote]] and [[Great Book of Lecan]], show that the [[Scottish clan]]s of [[Clan Donald|MacDonald]], [[Clan MacAlister|MacAlister]] and [[Clan MacDougall|MacDougall]] were paternally descended from Colla Uais who was one of [[The Three Collas]] who founded [[Oirghialla]] ([[Airgíalla]]) in Ireland,<ref>{{cite journal |last=Sellar |first=W.D.H. |author-link=David Sellar |date=October 1966 |title=The Origins and Ancestry of Somerled |journal=The Scottish Historical Review |volume=45 |issue=140 |pages=123–142|jstor=25528658}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Moncreiffe |first=Iain |author-link=Iain Moncreiffe of that Ilk |year=1982 |title=The Highland Clans |location=New York |publisher=[[Clarkson N. Potter (publisher)|Clarkson N. Potter]] |pages=127–131 |isbn=0517546590}}</ref> a [[Y-DNA]] study has shown that they might have been paternally descended from [[Norsemen]].<ref>{{cite news |date=April 26, 2005 |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/dna-shows-celtic-hero-somerleds-viking-roots-2511349 |title=DNA shows Celtic hero Somerled's Viking roots |work=[[The Scotsman]] |access-date=October 3, 2023}}</ref>}}

==Tribes of the Gaels or Gaeils==

As per O'Rahilly's doctrine, the [[Gaels]] or ''Gaeils'' were the fourth and final wave of Celtic settlement in Ireland which took place during the first century BC.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=93-97}} In line with this, according to Cairney, from them descended the following Irish tribes. Although it is not possible to prove O'Rahilly's history of the four Celtic invasions of Ireland or that the Gaels or Gaeils were the fourth of these invasions, or that the following Irish tribes descended from them, according to historian Sean Duffy, with the exception of the [[Clann Cholmáin]], Cineal Laoghaire and the Muintear Tadhagain, the existence of all of the following Irish tribes in around the 7th century is supported by the literature of the time that came to Ireland with Christianity.<ref name="Duffy.14.15.18.19"/>

===The North Gaels===

*The [[Connachta]].{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=93-97}}
**The [[Uí Briúin]]. Their chiefly family was in Gaelic the ''[[Síol Muireadaigh]]'' which anglicized is Silmurray and which included a number of important families including the O'Connors ([[O Connor Donn]] and [[O'Connor Sligo]]), the [[Malone|O'Malones]], the O'Mulconrys, MacShanlys, MacGoverns, [[MacClancy]]s, [[O'Rourke]]s, [[O'Reilly]]s, O'Beirnes, [[Sheridan (surname)|O'Sheridans]], O'Carrys, O'Flanagans, [[Crowley (surname)|O'Crowleys]], [[MacDermot]]s, [[MacDonagh]]s, [[Ó Maoilmhichíl|O'Mulvihills]], [[Geraghty|MacGeraghtys]], and [[O'Flaherty]]s.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=97-101}}{{efn|group=upper-alpha|The medieval genealogies, including ''[[Leabhar na nGenealach]]'' ("Book of Genealogies") and the ''[[Annals of the Four Masters]]'', record three main branches of the Uí Briúin: the Uí Briúin Bréifne, the Uí Briúin Seóla, and the Uí Briúin Aí. A [[Y-DNA]] study of men with the surnames believed to have sprung from these branches suggests that the medieval genealogies are mostly accurate in regards to the genealogies of the Uí Briúin Bréifne and the Uí Briúin Seóla, and the surnames that came from them, but that there were notable inconsistencies with the medieval genealogies of the Uí Briúin Aí and the Y-DNA, and the surnames which are alleged to have sprung from it, although some parts of the Uí Briúin Aí medieval genealogies have shown to be consistent with the Y-DNA.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://blog.familytreedna.com/y-dna-medieval-genealogies-ui-briuin-dynasty-part-2/?utm_source=FamilyTreeDNA&utm_campaign=a27188fef0-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b0f8841478-a27188fef0-110758373 |title=Y-DNA Sheds New Light on the Medieval Genealogies of the Uí Briúin Dynasty of Northwest Ireland, Part 2 |date=June 18, 2024 |website=familytreedna.com |access-date=June 18, 2024}}</ref>}}
**The [[Uí Fiachrach]].{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=93-97}}
***The [[Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe]] (northern). Their main chiefs were the [[O'Dowd]]s,{{sfn|O'Hart|1892|pp=650-651}} but other chiefly families included the [[Finnegan (surname)|O'Finnegans]], O'Keeves, O'Bolans, O'Kearneys, and [[Quigley|O'Quigleys]].{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=93-97}}
***The [[Uí Fiachrach Aidhne]] (southern). Their main chiefs were the [[O'Shaughnessy]]s,{{sfn|O'Hart|1892|pages=632-633}} but other chiefly families were the O'Heynes, O'Heyne, or [[Hynes]],{{sfn|O'Hart|1892|p=491}} O'Clerys,{{sfn|O'Hart|1892|pages=632-633}} [[O'Donnell dynasty|O'Donnells]], O'Houlihans which in some places became Holland and Nolan, and also the [[Ó Scannail|O'Scanlan]]s.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=93-97}} 
*The [[Uí Néill]].{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=101-121}}
**[[Northern Uí Néill]].{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=101-121}}
***[[Cineál Eoghain]].{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=101-121}} The chiefly family was the [[O'Neill dynasty]],{{sfn|O'Hart|1892|pages=708-740}} but also included the [[MacLoughlin]]s, O'Branigans, [[O'Rahilly (disambiguation)|O'Rahillys]] of Kerry, [[Martin (name)|MacMartins]] of Tyrone, [[O'Cahan]]s,{{efn|group=upper-alpha|The chiefs of the Scottish clan of [[Clan Munro|Munro]] or Monro are traditionally descended from the O'Cahans of the Cineál Eoghain in Ireland.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=101-121}} However, a [[Y-DNA]] study has shown that the Munro chiefs were paternally distantly related to the [[O'Driscoll (surname)|O'Driscoll]]s of [[Cork (city)|Cork]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Munro |first=Colin |date=December 2015 |title=The Deep Ancestry of the Munros |url=http://www.clanmunroassociation.org.au/clan-munro-association-australia-newsletters/ewExternalFiles/Clan%20Munro%20%28Association%29%20Australia%20Newsletter%2040.pdf |magazine=Newsletter of the Clan Munro (Association) Australia |location=Australia |publisher=Clan Munro (Association) Australia |volume=13 |issue=3 |pages=4–5 |access-date=October 8, 2023}}</ref> Another Y-DNA study has shown that people with the surnames associated with the O'Cahains or O'Cathains of [[Ulster]], some concentrated in [[County Londonderry]] and [[Dungiven]] where the clan was centred, match with the historical records as descendants of the O'Cathains of Ulster.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kane |first1=Edward |last2=O'Neill |first2=Dwayne |year=2020 |title=Haplogroup S595 -DNA links the O'Cathains of Ulster: Using Lineages, Surnames and DNA as Supporting Evidence |journal=Academia.edu|url=https://www.academia.edu/45660008 |access-date=July 6, 2024}}</ref>}} MacLachlans, Lamonts, MacSorleys, MacNeills, MacEwens, MacQueens, MacSweens,{{efn|group=upper-alpha|The MacLachlans, Lamonts, MacSorleys, MacNeills, MacEwens, MacQueens, MacSweens are all Scottish clans who are believed to be descended from the Cineál Eoghain in Ireland.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=101-121}}}} [[Clan Sweeney|MacSweeneys]] of Ireland, O'Creans, [[Crean]]s, [[Crehan]]s, Creghans, [[O'Donnelly]]s, O'Hegartys, [[Gormley|O'Gormleys]], [[O'Hagan]]s, and O'Beolans.{{efn|group=upper-alpha|The chiefs of the Scottish clan of [[Clan Ross|Ross]] are believed to be descended from the O'Beolans of the Cineál Eoghain in Ireland.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=101-121}}}}{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=101-121}}
***[[Cineal Chonaill]]. Their main chiefs were the [[O'Donnell dynasty]] of [[Tyrconnell]] (Tír Chonaill), but also included the O'Canannains or O'Canons, O'Muldonys, O'Mulderrys, [[O'Friel]]s, [[O'Boyle family|O'Boyles]], O'Cullinans, and [[O'Doherty family|O'Dohertys]].{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=101-121}}
***Cineal Cairbre. Their main chiefs were the [[Ó Brolaigh|O'Brolans]].{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=101-121}}
**[[Southern Uí Néill]].{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=101-121}}
***[[Clann Cholmáin]]. Their main chiefs were the [[O'Melaghlin]]s who were later known as the MacLoughlins of [[Kingdom of Meath|Meath]].{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=101-121}}
***[[Fiachu mac Néill|Cineal Fiachach]]. Their main chiefs were the [[MacGeoghegan]]s or [[Molloy|O'Molloys]].{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=101-121}}
***[[Cenél Lóegaire|Cineal Laoghaire]]. Their main chiefs were the O'Quinlans.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=101-121}}
***[[Tethbae|Fir Teathbha]]. Their main chiefs were the O'Caharneys, [[Ó Dálaigh|O'Dallys]], MacAwleys, MacCarons, [[Brennan (surname)|O'Brennas]], and O'Shiels.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=101-121}}
***[[Tethbae|Muintear Tadhagain]]. Their chiefs were the O'Caharneys and O'Kearnys or [[Fox (surname)|Foxes]].{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=101-121}}
***The [[Four Tribes of Tara]]: O'Harts, [[O'Regan]]s, Mackennas, [[O'Higgins family|O'Higgins]].{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=101-121}}

===The South Gaels===

*The [[Eoghanacht]]. The chiefly family was the [[MacCarthy dynasty]], but other families included the O'Meehans, [[O'Keeffe]]s, [[O'Sullivan family|O'Sullivans]] and [[McGillycuddy of the Reeks|McGillycuddy]]s.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=121-126}}
*The Ui Eachach Mumhan. Their main chiefs were the [[O'Callaghan]]s, [[O'Donoghue]]s, and [[O'Mahony]]s.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=121-126}}

==Vikings and Normans in Ireland==
[[File:Map of Ireland (about 1100).svg|thumb|Ireland c. 1100 before the Norman invasion showing dynasties and tribes]]
[[Vikings]] and [[Normans]] are ethnically populations, linked in ancestry. From the 9th to 11th centuries, the Vikings raided and settled in Britain and Ireland. In Ireland the Vikings became completely Gaelicized and established the first towns. The Normans invaded and conquered England in 1066 and later had similar success invading Ireland in the late 12th century. The Normans were the first people to introduce the mounted [[knight]]. In Ireland, these "[[Old English (Ireland)|Old English]]" families were influenced just as much as they themselves influenced and have been described as having become "[[more Irish than the Irish themselves]]".{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=127-129}}

===Viking families in Ireland===
At least the following three Irish families are believed to be of Viking descent: the [[Clann Fhearghaile|Clan Fearghaill]] whose chiefs were the [[O'Halloran]]s, the [[Cotter family|MacCotters]], and the [[Doyle|O'Doyles]].{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=127-129}}{{efn|group=upper-alpha|The chiefs of the Scottish clans of [[Clan Gunn|Gunn]], [[Clan MacLeod|MacLeod]], [[Clan McCorquodale|MacCorquodale]], and [[Clan Ruthven|Ruthven]] are also believed to be descended from Viking settlers.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=127-129}}}}

===Norman families in Ireland===
The following surnames found in Ireland are believed to be of Norman origin and to have arrived following the Norman invasion of Ireland: [[Barry (name)|Barry]], Branne, [[Burke]], [[Butler (surname)|Butler]], [[Condon (surname)|Condon]], [[Cusack|Cusak]], [[Dalton (surname)|Dalton]], [[Darcy (surname)|Darcy]], de Covcy, [[Dillon (surname)|Dillon]], Fagun, [[FitzGerald dynasty|Fitzgerald]], MacGibbon, [[French (surname)|French]], [[Hackett (surname)|Hackett]], [[Jordan (name)|Jordan]], [[Keating (surname)|Keating]], [[de Lacy|Lacy]], [[Lynch (surname)|Lynch]], [[Costello (surname)|MacCostello]], Martin, Nugent, Power, [[Purcell (surname)|Purcell]], Rothes, [[Sarsfield (disambiguation)|Sarsfield]], Wall.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=131-154}}

The following surnames are believed to have come to Ireland with the Norman invasion but are believed to have been of [[Flanders|Flemish]] origin: [[Tobin (surname)|Tobin]], [[Flemming]], [[Prendergast (surname)|Prendergast]].{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=131-154}}

The following surnames are believed to have come to Ireland with the Norman invasion but are believed to have been of [[Wales|Welsh]] origin: [[Roche (surname)|Roche]], [[Blake (surname)|Blake]], [[Joyce (name)|Joyce]], [[Clan McQuillan|MacQuillan]], [[Rice (surname)|Rice]], Taffe, [[Walsh (surname)|Walsh]], Savage.{{sfn|Cairney|1989|pp=131-154}}

==End of the clan system==
[[File:Irelandmap1500.png|thumb|left|Ireland c. 1500 at the beginning of the [[Tudor conquest of Ireland|Tudor period]]]]
In the 16th century, [[English common law]] was introduced throughout Ireland, along with a centralised royal administration in which the county and the sheriff replaced the "country" and the clan chief.{{sfn|Connolly|2007|p=182}}

When the [[Kingdom of Ireland]] was created in 1541, the Dublin administration wanted to involve the Gaelic chiefs into the new entity, creating new titles for them such as the [[Baron Upper Ossory]], [[Earl of Tyrone]], and [[Baron Inchiquin]]. In the process, they were granted new coats of arms from 1552. The associated policy of [[surrender and regrant]] involved a change to succession to a title by the European system of [[primogeniture]], and not by the Irish [[tanistry]], where a group of male cousins of a chief were eligible to succeed by election. 

The early 17th century was a watershed in Ireland. It marked the destruction of Ireland's ancient Gaelic aristocracy following the Tudor re-conquest and cleared the way for the [[Plantation of Ulster]].{{sfn|Curley|2004}} In 1607 the senior Gaelic chiefs of Ulster left Ireland to recruit support in Spain but failed, and instead eventually arrived in Rome where they remained for the rest of their lives {{crossreference|(see [[Flight of the Earls]])}}. After this point, the English authorities in Dublin established real control over all of Ireland for the first time, bringing a centralised government to the entire island, and successfully disarmed the native clans and their lordships.{{sfn|Duggan|2013|pp=122–124}}

==Later developments and "revival"==
{{main|List of Irish clans|Clans of Ireland|Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains}}
[[File:President Higgins Receives Order of Clans of Ireland.jpg|thumb|right|President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, centre, receives the Order of [[Clans of Ireland]] from Michael J. Egan, right, Cathoirleach of Clans of Ireland]]

[[File:Dr. James O'Higgins Norman Clans of Ireland April 2014.jpg|thumb|right|James O'Higgins Norman receives a presentation from the "Prince" of the Ó Murchadha ([[Murphy]]) Clan at Annual Clans Dinner in the Mansion House Dublin, April 2014.]]

[[Clans of Ireland]] is an Irish non-governmental organisation established in 1989 with the aim of authenticating, representing and co-ordinating the activities of modern Irish clan organisations. It has operated under the patronage of the [[President of Ireland]] since 2012,<ref name="osullivanclanEmails2">{{Cite web |title=The OSullivan Clan of Munster |url=https://osullivanclan.com/clancorrespondence.html |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=osullivanclan.com}}</ref> and is accredited as a "civil society [[Non-governmental organization|NGO]]" by the United Nations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Governance – Clans of Ireland |url=https://www.clansofireland.ie/governance/ |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=clansofireland.ie |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="clanwalkerAboutUsPage2">{{Cite web |date=2021-05-13 |title=Clan Walker - About Us |url=https://clanwalker.org/clan-walker/ |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=clanwalker.org |language=en-US}}</ref> It performs research, promotes clan rallies, and advances DNA studies.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.clanobyrne.com/the-clans-of-ireland.html |access-date=2025-05-09 |title=Clan O'Byrne registered with the Clans of Ireland 2018 |language=en | website = clanobyrne.com }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite press release | url = https://www.tcd.ie/history/assets/pdf/Chiefs_Clans.pdf | via = Trinity College Dublin | title = Irish Chiefs' and Clans' Prize - About | accessdate = 10 May 2025 }}</ref>

The [[Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs]] signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Clans of Ireland in 2013 at Christchurch Cathedral, Dublin. As part of the agreement they agreed to mutually recognise each other's authority.<ref name="clanwalkerAboutUsPage2" /><ref name="osullivanclanEmails2" />

== See also ==

* [[List of Irish clans in Ulster]]
* [[Scottish clan]]
* [[List of Scottish clans]]
* [[List of ancient Celtic peoples and tribes]]
* [[Celtic peoples]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=upper-alpha}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==

*{{cite book |last1=Bhreathnach |first1=Edel |title=Ireland in the medieval world, AD 400–1000: Landscape, kingship and religion |date=2014 |publisher=[[Four Courts Press]] |isbn=978-1846823428}}
*{{cite book |editor-last1=Brady |editor-first1=Ciaran |editor-last2=O'Dowd |editor-first2=Mary |editor-last3=Walter |editor-first3=Brian |year=1989 |title=Ulster: An Illustrated History |location=4 Fitzhardinge Street, London |publisher=[[B. T. Batsford]] |isbn=0713462396}}
*{{cite book |last=Cairney |first=C. Thomas |year=1989 |title=Clans and Families of Ireland and Scotland |location=[[Jefferson, North Carolina]], United States, and London |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |isbn=0899503624}}
*{{cite book |editor-last=Connolly |editor-first=S. J. |date=2007 |title=Oxford Companion to Irish History |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-923483-7}}
*{{cite book |last=Curley |first=W. J. P. |year=2004 |title=Vanishing Kingdoms: The Irish Chiefs and their Families |location=Dublin |publisher=[[Lilliput Press]]}}
*{{cite book |last1=Dillon |first1=Myles |last2=Chadwick |first2=Nora |author-link1=Myles Dillon |author-link2=Nora K. Chadwick |year=2000 |title=The Celtic Realms |location=5 [[St Martin's Lane|Upper St Martin's Lane]], London |publisher=[[Phoenix Press]] |isbn=1842120212}}
*{{cite book |editor-last=Duffy |editor-first=Sean |year=2011 |title=Atlas of Irish History |edition=3rd |location=Dublin |publisher=[[Gill (publisher)|Gill]] and [[Macmillan Publishers]] |isbn=9780717148905}} 
*{{cite book |last=Duggan |first=Catherine |year=2013 |title=The Lost Laws of Ireland |location=13 [[Baggot Street|Upper Baggot Street]], Dublin |publisher=Glasnevin Publishing |chapter=14: End of the Brehon Era |isbn=9781908689214}}
*{{cite book |last=Grenham |first=John |year=1993 |title=Clans and Families of Ireland: The Heritage and Heraldry of Irish Clans and Families |publisher=[[Gill (publisher)|Gill]] and [[Macmillan Publishers]] |isbn=0717120325}}
*{{cite book |last=Mac Fhirbhisigh |first=Dubhaltach |author-link=Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh |editor-last=Ó Muraíle |editor-first=Nollaig |editor-link=Nollaig Ó Muraíle |year=2004 |title=The Great Book of Irish Genealogies |orig-year=Written from original manuscript ''[[Leabhar na nGenealach]]'' which was written 1649-1650 |location=Dublin |publisher=De Burca Books |isbn=0946130361}}
*{{cite book |last=Mallory |first=J. P. |author-link=J. P. Mallory |year=2017 |title=The Origins of The Irish |location=181A [[High Holborn]], London |publisher=[[Thames & Hudson]] |isbn=9780500293300}}
*{{cite book |last=Nicholls |first=K |year=2003 |title=Gaelic and Gaelicized Ireland in the Middle Ages |edition=2nd |location=Dublin |publisher=[[Lilliput Press]]}}
*{{cite book |last1=Ó Cléirigh |first1=Mícheál |author-link1=Mícheál Ó Cléirigh |last2=Ó Cléirigh |first2=Cú Choigcríche |author-link2=Cú Choigcríche Ó Cléirigh |last3=Ó Maol Chonaire |first3=Fearfeasa |author-link3=Fearfeasa Ó Maol Chonaire |last4=Ó Duibhgeannáin |first4=Cú Choigríche |author-link4=Cú Choigríche Ó Duibhgeannáin |year=1856 |orig-year=Written from original manuscript ''[[Annals of the Four Masters]]'' that was written 1616-1636 |editor-last=O'Donovan |editor-first=John |editor-link=John O'Donovan (scholar) |title=Annala Rioghachta Eireann: Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland, by the Four Masters, from the earliest period to the year 1616 |location=Dublin |publisher=[[Royal Irish Academy]] |volume=1-7}}
*{{cite book |last=Ó Cléirigh |first=Cú Choigcríche |author-link=Cú Choigcríche Ó Cléirigh |orig-year=Written from original manuscript ''[[Ó Cléirigh Book of Genealogies]]'' which was written in the mid-seventeenth century |editor-last=Pender |editor-first=Seamus |year=1951 |title=The O Clery Book of Genealogies |location=Dublin |publisher=Stationery Office}}
*{{cite book |last=O'Duignan |first=Manus |year=1887 |orig-year=Written from original manuscript that was written 1390-1391 |editor-last=Atkinson |editor-first=Robert |editor-link=Robert Atkinson (philologist) |title=The [[Book of Ballymote]] |location=Dublin |publisher=[[Royal Irish Academy]] |isbn=0-404-17535-X}}
*{{cite book |last=O'Hart |first=John |author-link=John O'Hart |year=1892 |title=Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of The Irish Nation |url=https://archive.org/details/irishpedigreesor_01ohar/page/n9/mode/2up |edition=5th |volume=1 |location=14 and 15 [[Wellington Quay]], Dublin; 28 Orchard Street, [[London]]; 14 Great Clyde Street, [[Glasgow]]; 36 & 38 Barclay Street, [[New York City]] |publisher=[[James Duffy (Irish publisher)|James Duffy]], [[Burns & Oates]], Hugh Margey, [[Benziger Bros|Benziger Brothers]]}}

==External links==
*[http://www.clansofireland.ie Clans of Ireland]
*[http://www.heraldry.ws/info/article06.html Clans and Chieftains] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060504232037/http://www.heraldry.ws/info/article06.html |date=4 May 2006 }}
*[https://www.fitzpatrickclan.org Fitzpatrick Clan Society]
*[https://fitzpatricksociety.com/ The Fitzpatrick – Mac Giolla Phádraig Clan Society]

{{Gaels}}
{{Connachta}}
{{Eóganachta}}
{{Érainn}}
{{Laigin}}
{{Ulaid}}
{{Irish genealogy}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Irish Clans}}
[[Category:Irish clans| ]]