Clans of Ireland
Independent national body of Irish Clans
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Clans of Ireland (Irish: Finte na hÉireann) is an Irish charity established to represent and co-ordinate the activities of member Irish clans.
 | |
| Formation | 1989[1] |
|---|---|
| Founder | Rory O'Connor Kerry |
| Type | Irish clans Irish genealogy Gaelic culture |
| Website | www |
It is a voluntary non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting clans through research, promoting clan rallies, and advancing DNA studies.[2][3]
Background and foundation
Order of Clans of Ireland
In 2010, Clans of Ireland instituted the "Order of Clans of Ireland", an award to honour individuals who contributed to Irish culture and heritage or who have brought honour to their clan.[5][6]
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".[5] As of 2024, the Clans of Ireland website indicated that "no more than four individuals can recieve [sic] the award each year".[7] 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.[5] Inductees are designated as Companions of the Order of Clans of Ireland, or in Irish Compánach Fhinte na hÉireann.[5]
The order's insignia consists of a gold medal under an azure blue ribbon on a gold bar.[citation needed]
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.[8] In 2013, a number of conferrings were presented by the then Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht at the Irish Embassy in Italy.[9]
Notable past inductees have included:[8]
- (2011) James O'Higgins Norman, author and academic at Dublin City University[8]
- (2012) Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland[8]
- (2012) Nollaig Ó Muraíle RIA, author and academic at NUIG who transcribed and translated MacFhirbhisigh's Great Book of Irish Genealogies[8]
- (2013) Mary McAleese, President of Ireland 1997–2011.[9]
- (2013) Pádraig Ó Fiannachta, Irish-language scholar, poet and priest.[8]