Clans of Ireland
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| Formation | 1989[1] |
|---|---|
| Founder | Rory O'Connor Kerry |
| Type | Irish clans Irish genealogy Gaelic culture |
| Website | www |
Clans of Ireland (Irish: Finte na hÉireann) is an Irish charity established to authenticate, represent and co-ordinate the activities of Irish clans.
It is a voluntary non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting clans and their chiefs through research, promoting clan rallies, and advancing DNA studies.[2][3]
Background and foundation
Clans of Ireland was founded in 1989.[1] In 2012, Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland, became the organisation's patron.[4]
The organisation, which is registered as a charity with the Charities Regulator in Ireland, had income of approximately €8,000 EUR, and expenditure of approximately €9,000, in 2023.[5]
Order of Clans of Ireland
In 2010, 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
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 meets annually to consider 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]
The order's insignia consists of a gold medal under an azure blue ribbon on a gold bar.
Companions of the Order (Members)
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
References
- ^ a b "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
- ^ "Clan O'Byrne registered with the Clans of Ireland 2018". clanobyrne.com. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
- ^ "Irish Chiefs' and Clans' Prize - About" (PDF) (Press release). Retrieved 10 May 2025 – via Trinity College Dublin.
- ^ "The OSullivan Clan of Munster". osullivanclan.com. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
- ^ "Register of Charities - Clans Of Ireland Company Limited By Guarantee". charitiesregulator.ie. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Order of Merit (2016)". clansofireland.ie. Clans of Ireland. Archived from the original on 29 August 2016.
- ^ "Longford Farrell Clan Chieftain receives top accolade". LongfordLive. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "Order of Merit (2024)". clansofireland.ie. Clans of Ireland. Archived from the original on 2 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f "Order of Merit". clansofireland.ie. Clans of Ireland. Archived from the original on 10 May 2025.
- ^ 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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