Above : Irish Family Map (Click for larger image) Nothing was of greater importance to the clans of Ireland than the records of their ancestry. Until the time of the final destruction of the clan system itself, every tribe jealously preserved the tradition of its descent from some famous ancestor. In early times these records were of vital importance : they were the title deeds of the clan to the territory it occupied ; they formed the bond which united various clans into ... Read More

Above : Ancient Irish Territorial Division The descendants of Conn of the Hundred Battles had constructed around Tara a strong and consolidated Kingdom, and the two branches of the posterity of Mogh Nuadhat had established the supremacy of Cashel over the South. Between those two Kingdoms the successors of Cahir M6r in Leinster preserved their independence against the aggressions of their neighbours. In the North, the Clanna Rury still occupied their ancient seat of Eamhain Macha, although their power had steadily waned since ... Read More