Understanding The Ancient Irish Clan System

 

 

 

 

THE ANCIENT IRISH CLAN SYSTEM

 

From ancient times, Irish society was organised around traditional kinship groups or clans. These clans traced their origins to larger pre-surname population groupings such as Ui Briuin in Connacht, Dal gCais in Munster, Ui Neill in Ulster, Fir Domnann in Leinster and Luighne & Gaileanga of the midlands (the case for Mac Maoláin).

 

Within those larger groupings there tended to be one sept (division) who through war and politics became more powerful than the others for a period of time and the leaders of some were accorded the status of royalty in Gaelic Ireland. Some of the more important septs to achieve this kind of power by the 2nd millennium were O'Conor in Connacht, O'Brien of Thomond in Munster, O'Neill of Clandeboy in Ulster and Kavanagh in Leinster.

 

Irish Kingship-How were Irish Kings selected? Normally they were "elected" from one of the males of the "deirbhfhine", i.e, descendants of a deceased chief to the fourth generation.

 

Election frequently originated from a council of higher level kings and overlords, and these kings were often "selected" after battling with rival claimants,

 

The old law tract " The Five Paths of Judgement" stated any who would be king, must be the son of a king and the grandson of a king. A man whose father had ruled before him, but not his grandfather, was known as a middle ranking king. The candidate must also be of good legal standing, be not guilty of theft, be physically unblemished and also be a man of property.

 

In early Brehon law dating back to at least 200 AD, there were three grades of king: (1) of the local "tauth" or tribal kingdom; (2) of a larger territory and overlord of No.1 and senior of all (i.e. Maoláin, Lord of both Luighne & Gaileanga) and (3) king of a province (i.e MaelSeachlain Lord of Meath).

 

At a later date in Irish history the term Ard-Ri became popular, indicating an overking of all provinces. This High King was superior to all so as to distinquish his authority above that of lesser Kings and Princes of provinces (i.e, Malachi II d.1022).

 

The largely symbolic role of High King tended to rotate among the leaders of the royal clans listed above,  while the larger, more important clans were led by a Taoiseach (Chief) who had the status of royalty. Smaller, more independant, lesser clans were led by a Chieftain (Mac Maolain lord of the Gaileanga Breagh).

 

Under Irish Brehon law the leaders were appointed by their kinsmen as custodians of the clan, responsible for maintaining and protecting their clan and its property. This clan system formed the basis of Irish society up to the 17th century.

 

 

Clan Structure

 

Often, clans are thought of as based on blood kinship alone; in fact Irish clans would be better thought of as akin to the modern day corporation. Their ruling structure, whether represented by a single Chief or Clan Council, changed according to the needs and quality of their membership. (Clan McMullen Leinster adopted the council form of rule).

 

Historically the power of clans grew and declined. Once powerful clans in time of decline or stature (decimated in battle) could be amalgamated with other ones (i.e. Machaire Gaileanga absorbed by O'Reilly). How this merger would be dealt with would be a matter of negotiation based on the power of the respective parties. Consequently, Irish clans were composed of those related by blood, but also those who were adopted and fostered into the clan as well as those who joined the clan for strategic reasons such as safety or combining of land and resources.

 

 

Destruction of the Clan system and the modern "Revival"

 

The early 17th century was a watershed in Ireland, marking the destruction of the Gaelic aristocracy following the Tudor re-conquest clearing the way for the Plantation of Ulster in 1607. Senior Gaelic Chiefs left Ireland to recruit support in Spain but never reached their intended destination, instead eventually arrived in Rome where they remained for the rest of their lives. After this, English authorities in Dublin established real control over all of Ireland, bringing a centralized government and disarming the native clans and their lordships.

 

However, despite the loss of their traditional lands and forced emigration , the spirit of the Irish clans remained. To this day the majority of Irish people in Ireland and around the world can tell you the name of the clan from which they descend. The growing influence of the Gaelic league at the turn of the 20th century rekindled an interest in Gaelic culture and prompted a revival. In the 1940's Edward MacLysaght, then Chief Herald of Ireland drew up a list of over 240 known Irish clans, based primarily on the antiquarian research of his mentor the Rev Patrick Woulfe.

 

The first modern Irish "clans" were reformed in the latter half of the 20th century. Today such groups are organized in Ireland and on every continent around the world. The Clans of Ireland was founded to bring together those in Ireland and the wider diaspora resurrecting clans and recovering the culture destroyed by occupational elements.

 

 

Clans of Ireland Ltd.

 

 

 

In September of 2008 following submission of both historic and genetic (DNA) documentation to the board of the Clans of Ireland, Clan Mac Maoláin Leinster was resurrected as an authorized Irish Clan.

 

An association was formed, and Clan Council nominated. In the spring of 2010, the council elected Chieftain Laighin Dathi Mac Maoláin (Lyn David McMullen), who was inaugurated in a ceremony conducted in the Keim gravesite of Carnaross (Parish of Castlekeiran-Loughan) containing the Stone of Lugh (illustrated at the beginning of this page), recovered in this gravesite in 2006 and the 1500 year old termon crosses of St, Ciaran.

 

This locale was chosen to represent our cultural connection to the tribes of  Gaileanga and Luighne in both Cavan and Meath, and link to Maoláin Lord of all Gaileanga and Luighne 1018 AD plus Mac Mic Maoláin. Lord of the Gaileanga Breagh slain 1144 AD.

 

 

Derbfine Kin Group:

The basic social unit (family) in early Irish was the called the fine (kin group). This "fine" futher defined for nomination as Chieftain, the “derbfine” group, made up of all those males who had a agnatic grandfather four generations back in contrast to a possible wider kin group. 

 

From this select group (the kindred) came the nomination for Chieftain. Successions generally passed to brothers or sons, with fewer historical examples of succession by grandsons or nephews.

In the McMullen of Leinster Association, this "derbfine" line will be followed from Arthur W. McMullen born 1839 in Callan Co. Kilkenny.  All male sons descending from Arthur (including 2nd cousins) are eligible for nomination as Clan Taoiseach (Chieftain).

 

Left side: Chieftain Lyn David McMullen and Tanaiste Michael James McMullen with the stone of Lugh.

Right side: Clan council Cathoirleach Maureen McMullen with Lyn and the Termon Cross of Ciaran