Clans of Ireland

Clans of Ireland
Finte na hÉireann
Formation1989; 37 years ago (1989)
FounderRory O'Connor Kerry
TypeIrish clans
Irish genealogy
Gaelic culture
Websitewww.clansofireland.ie

Clans of Ireland (Irish: Finte na hÉireann) is an Irish charity established to represent and co-ordinate the activities of member Irish clans.

It is a voluntary non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting clans through research, promoting clan rallies, and advancing DNA studies.

Background and foundation

A Clans of Ireland plaque at Sleady Castle

Clans of Ireland was founded in 1989. The organisation, which is registered as a charity in Ireland, had income of approximately €8,000 EUR, and expenditure of approximately €9,000, in 2023.

Order of Clans of Ireland

Michael D. Higgins, patron of the Order of Clans of Ireland from 2012, receives his insignia from Michael J. Egan, chair of Clans of Ireland, in May 2012

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. 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. Inductees are designated as Companions of the Order of Clans of Ireland, or in Irish Compánach Fhinte na hÉireann.

Breast Insignia and Miniature of the Order of Clans of Ireland

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)

Leo Varadkar presenting the Order of Clans of Ireland to Nollaig Ó Muraíle at the Mansion House, Dublin

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.

Notable past inductees have included:

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "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
  2. ↑ "Clan O'Byrne registered with the Clans of Ireland 2018". clanobyrne.com. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  3. ↑ "Irish Chiefs' and Clans' Prize - About" (PDF) (Press release). Retrieved 10 May 2025 – via Trinity College Dublin.
  4. ↑ "Register of Charities - Clans Of Ireland Company Limited By Guarantee". charitiesregulator.ie. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 "Order of Merit (2016)". clansofireland.ie. Clans of Ireland. Archived from the original on 29 August 2016.
  6. ↑ "Longford Farrell Clan Chieftain receives top accolade". LongfordLive. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  7. 1 2 "Order of Merit". clansofireland.ie. Clans of Ireland. Archived from the original on 10 May 2025.
  8. ↑ "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.