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The Irish Royal Families were dynasties who ruled kingdoms or territories on the island of Ireland over the last several thousand years. While the majority were essentially just chiefs or lords of their people and territory, there were many significant dynasties, some of whom demonstrably ruled for a millennium. Significant kingdoms known from early historical times (5th-7th centuries) included Connachta , Uí Fiachrach , Breifne, Aileach, Airgialla, Dál Riata , Ulaid , Breaga, Midhe, Laigin, Osriage, Laois, Mumhain, Urmumhain, Desmumhain, Tuathamumhain, Hy-Many . Some disappeared or were annexed; others survived as independent states well into the end of the 16th and early 17th century. A small handful successfully made the transition from kingdoms to earldoms or lordships - with the same ruling dynasty - into the 17th century and beyond. By 1700 all had long being brought fully and firmly under the dominion of English rule, though local feeling for each area as a distinct entity lasted as least as late as the Great Famine. At no point in Irish history was the entire island of Ireland ever ruled as a united sovereign Irish kingdom or state. As was the case with the nations in what is now England, Scotland and Wales, the more powerful of the kingdoms of Ireland all regarded themselves as fully independent entities, in several cases even claiming utterly different racial backgrounds from neighbours; Ireland being home to races such as the Delbhna , Conmaicne Mara , Cruithne , Eóganachta , Érainn , Fir Bolg , Grecraighe, Laghin, Ulaid and a host of others. Few claimed to be homogeneous, despite later attempts to make them so. Among the best known Irish royal families are: MacDermot , O'Conor Don , O'Flaherty , O'Kelly and O'Malley of Connacht ; Maguire, O'Docherty , O'Donnell, O'Neill,O'Hanlon O'Reilly of Ulster ; MacMurrough, O'Bryne, O'Melaghlin/McLoughlin, O'More and O'Toole of Leinster ; MacCarthy, MacGillycuddy, O'Brien, O'Donovan and O'Sullivan of Munster . Several still have recognised clan heads or Chiefs Of The Name alive today. By the received principles of international law it is claimed that the representatives of the ancient Royal Houses of Ireland are entitled to the title of Prince. O'Conor Don is styled Prince of Connacht and O'Neill of Clanaboy is styled Prince of Clanaboy. The MacCarthy Mor is styled Prince of Desmond and if he used European titles, rather than the Gaelic form of the patronymic, he would equate with "Royal Highness". The O'Neill of Clanaboy has been recognised as a "Most Serene Highness". The Royal Houses comprise O'Conor Don (Connacht), O'Neill/O'Hanlon (Ulster), The MacCarthy Mor (Munster), and MacMorrough Kavanagh (Leinster (in abeyance)). Then follow the princely houses of O'Brien (Thomond), Maguire (Fermanagh), O'Donnell (Tyrconnel), O'Rourke (Breffny) and, below these, the comital chiefs. Given that Ireland is currently a republic, and that since 2003 the state has revoked even courtesy recognition to the Chiefs Of The Name - where undisputed - the status of modern representatives of ancient Irish lineages, among the oldest in the world, is both awkward and uncertain. SEE ALSO |
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