The Seven States

Above : Illustration Picture From Battle of Kinsale

The establishment of the new dynasties in the West and North-west by the brothers and sons of Niall respectively completed the political organisation of Ireland as we find it in strictly historical times. The seven independent states into which the island was thus divided, remained—modified under changing conditions—the fields of political influence in Ireland until the whole Gaelic fabric was destroyed after the Battle of Kinsale in 1603. The formation of the seven dynasties has been traced ; their existence as independent political bodies at the time of the coming of St. Patrick is proved, as will be seen, by an authority, which professes to date from that period ; it is certain that for ever afterwards it was those dynasties, and those alone, which gave independent rulers to any part of Ireland, and, in later troubled times, the recognised leaders of the Gaelic clans.

To follow the fortunes of those seven dynasties is the aim of any History of Gaelic Ireland. Their supremacy in their own Kingdoms remained permanent, the rivalries which often convulsed them were between competitors of their own families. It is possible that Christianity may have helped to secure political stability. Certainly from the time of its introduction the various royal lines in each Kingdom continued without a break. But the extent of the Kingdoms was not rigid, and their boundaries frequently shifted. The federated clans of which they were comprised continued in the main to occupy their original lands. But the ambition, strength or energy of their rulers often led them to endeavour to bring adjoining clans under their sway, and the Kingdoms thus expanded or contracted. Therefore, while the clans remained fixed, the extent of the Kingdoms varied. To present ” Ancient Ireland ” in a single map would be as misleading as to present one of ” modern Europe ” which purported to give in one picture the European states as they existed in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

The Seven States:

* Tara

* Oirghialla

* Aileach

* Cruachan

* Ulaidh

* Laighin

* Caiseal