Above : One Of Irish Clan Family Logo The political organisation was based upon groups of various sizes from the family upwards. The family was the group consisting of the living parents and all their descendants. The fine* was a group related by blood within certain recognised degrees. The sept * was a larger group descended from common parents long since dead. All the members of a sept were nearly related, and in later times bore the same surname. The clan ... Read More

Above : One Of Irish Clan Family Logo Socially every group was divided into classes, from the king or chief down to the slave, and the law took cognisance of all—setting forth their rights, duties and privileges. These classes were not castes ; for under certain conditions persons could pass from one to the next above. There were five main classes:—(i) Kings of various grades from the king of the tuath up to the Ard Ri ; (2) nobles ; (3) freemen ... Read More