Welcome

Fáilte roimh Finte na hÉireann  ~ Welcome to Clans of Ireland

Clans of Ireland ~ Finte na hÉireann is an independent permanent authority established in 1989 to register Irish clans and historical families. This occurred as a result of the resurgence of interest in Irish heritage, which led to the revival of many ancient Irish clans and the recognition of the cultural value of many Irish historical families.

There is an open invitation policy to those interested in Irish Clans to contact us with a view to reviving their Irish Clan. Recognition will depend on the ability of applicants to provide evidence of the existence of a distinct historical clan or family identity within a geographic area. The Register of Clans of Ireland includes families of Irish, Norse, Anglo- Norman, Scots, Gallowglass, Huguenot, and Quaker origins.

Clans of Ireland, which has as its Patron, Michael D. Higgins, the President of Ireland, maintains a strong and positive relationship with the Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains who represent the hereditary Chiefs, in addition to other pillars of Irish culture.

One of the advantages of Clans of Ireland membership is access to our Annual Cultural Summit. This includes lectures, historical tours and attendance at the Annual Dinner. The lectures are presented by some of the highest profile speakers on subjects including history, genealogy, heraldry, bibliography and archaeology.

Other features of membership include:

• the ability to propose candidates, whose outstanding contributions to clan or Irish culture, may warrant consideration as Companions of the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit,
• support of historical academic research, and
• access to veteran clan convenors who willingly share their experience.

Clans of Ireland is ideologically committed to the development of an objective understanding of Ireland’s heritage and culture, using modern academic tools and varying philosophical approaches to historical concepts; so that people who are interested in discovering where they have come from might take inspiration from their ancestors as they travel into the future with a greater sense of common purpose.

Ní neart go cur le chéile! ~ ‘There is no strength without unity’!

Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh
O Kelly

Cathaoirleach ~ Chairperson