The Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains

The Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains ( _ga. Buanchomhairle Thaoisigh Éireann) is an organisation established by the President of Ireland to bring together the Chiefs of the Name of the Clans of Ireland as recognised by the Chief Herald of Ireland.

On October 5, 1991 sixteen of the nineteen bloodline Chiefs, some of whom travelled from various parts of Europe, were received at Aras an Uachtarain by the President of Ireland, Mrs. Mary Robinson.

This historic occasion was the first time in modern history, that the bloodline chieftains of Ireland had gathered in Dublin to form a new Council of Irish Chiefs.

Indeed, it is believed to have been the first ever meeting of all the Irish chiefs whose history stretches back to prehistory. The only other meeting of this kind ever to have taken place was before the Battle of Kinsale in 1603 when a large group of Irish Chiefs met.Fact|date=September 2008 The Maguire of Fermanagh, retired accountant Terence Maguire, was elected chairman of the Irish Chiefs Council for a three year period while The O'Conor Don of Roscommon, retired businessman Denis O'Conor Don was elected deputy-chairman.

The current makeup of the Council is not known and requires some research.

Any hereditary Chief or Chieftain of a Gaelic Irish Surname recognised as such by the Chief Herald of Ireland and registered in "Clár na dTaoiseach" may be admitted provided that proof of hereditary origin is vetted by the Chief Herald and that the Name is approved at an AGM of the Standing Council.

In 1999 following a scandal the Chief Herald of Ireland decided on advice from the Attorney General’s Office that the Irish Government would no longer recognise Chiefs of the Name and succession would no longer be published in "Iris Oifigiúil". The latest amendment and reprint of the constitution of the Standing Council was published that same year.

The objects of the Council are:

* To consider matters affecting the Irish Chiefs, Chieftains and the clans they represent;

* To submit its view and interests to Government, to Departments of State, to local authorities, to Press and Public and to Associations connected with and Family in Ireland and overseas;

* To educate the general public in matters connected with the rights, functions and historical position of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains;

* To take such steps as may seem expedient to protect the titles, armorial bearings and other appurtenances of Chiefs and Chieftains from exploitation or misuse in trade or otherwise;

* To promote and preserve the Gaelic heritage of Ireland;

* Any other objects related to the above subjects.

Further particulars of the activities of The Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains may be obtained by writing to "The O’Morchoe" [[e-mail]]

After the 2007 election in the Republic of Ireland a new National Liberty Board comprising the Genealogical Office and the Office of the present Chief Herald, Mr. Fergus Gillespie, will decide the future relationships of the Chiefs and the Chief Herald.

The current Chairman of The Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains is Dr. Hugo Ricciardi O'Neill, the current head of the Clanaboy O'Neill dynasty, whose family has been in Portugal since the 18th century. ["Anuário da Nobreza de Portugal, III, 2006, Tomo III, pg. 1.394]

ee also

*Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs

References

* http://www.mcgillycuddy.co.za/html/council_of_chieftains.html
* http://www.doyle.com.au/chiefs.html