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
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
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 .
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.
Notable past inductees have included: (2011) James O'Higgins Norman, author and academic at Dublin City University (2012) Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland, 2011–2025 (2012) Nollaig Ó Muraíle RIA, author and academic at NUIG who transcribed and translated MacFhirbhisigh's Great Book of Irish Genealogies (2013) Mary McAleese, President of Ireland, 1997–2011 (2013) Pádraig Ó Fiannachta, Irish-language scholar, poet and priest.
See also Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains
References
External links