The Irish nobility could be described as including persons who do, or historically did, fall into one or more of the following categories of nobility:
*
Gaelic nobility of Ireland
This article concerns the Gaelic nobility of Ireland from ancient to modern times. It only partly overlaps with Chiefs of the Name because it excludes Scotland and other discussion. It is one of three groups of Irish nobility, the others bei ...
: descendants in the male line of at least one historical grade of king (
Rí).
*
Hiberno-Norman
Norman Irish or Hiberno-Normans (; ) is a modern term for the descendants of Norman settlers who arrived during the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century. Most came from England and Wales. They are distinguished from the native ...
or
Old English (Ireland)
Norman Irish or Hiberno-Normans (; ) is a modern term for the descendants of Normans, Norman settlers who arrived during the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century. Most came from Anglo-Normans, England and Cambro-Normans, Wales. ...
nobility: descendants of the colonisers who came to Ireland from
Wales
Wales ( ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the England–Wales border, east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic ...
, Normandy and England after the Norman invasions of England and Ireland in 1066 and 1169–71, respectively.
*
Peerage of Ireland
The peerage of Ireland consists of those Peerage, titles of nobility created by the English monarchs in their capacity as Lordship of Ireland, Lord or Monarchy of Ireland, King of Ireland, or later by monarchs of the United Kingdom of Great B ...
, whose titles were created by the English and later British monarchs of Ireland in their capacity as Lord or
King of Ireland
Monarchical systems of government have existed in Ireland from ancient times. This continued in all of Ireland until 1949, when the Republic of Ireland Act removed most of Ireland's residual ties to the British monarch. Northern Ireland, as p ...
.
These groups are not mutually exclusive. There is some overlap between the first two groups (prior to the
Treaty of Limerick), and a lesser degree of overlap between the last two groups (prior to
independence from the United Kingdom). Such overlaps may be personal (e.g. a Gaelic noble who was "
regranted" his titles by King
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is known for his Wives of Henry VIII, six marriages and his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. ...
), or they may be geographical (i.e. different noble traditions co-existing in neighbouring parts of the country, which were only distinguished by the date when they finally fell under the
Dublin Castle administration).
Today
In the
Republic of Ireland
Ireland ( ), also known as the Republic of Ireland (), is a country in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe consisting of 26 of the 32 Counties of Ireland, counties of the island of Ireland, with a population of about 5.4 million. ...
, the
Irish Constitution
The Constitution of Ireland (, ) is the fundamental law of Ireland. It asserts the national sovereignty of the Irish people. It guarantees certain fundamental rights, along with a popularly elected non-executive president, a bicameral parliam ...
precludes the State from conferring titles of nobility, and prevents citizens from accepting titles of nobility or honour – except with the prior approval of the government. Existing holders of aristocratic titles continue to use them, but they are not recognised by the Irish government.
While some representatives of clans and families had obtained "courtesy recognition" as
Chiefs of the Name from the
Chief Herald of Ireland, this practice was discontinued by 2003 – with the Attorney General noting that such recognitions were unconstitutional and without basis in law.
In
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland ( ; ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, part of the United Kingdom in the north-east of the island of Ireland. It has been #Descriptions, variously described as a country, province or region. Northern Ireland shares Repub ...
, as part of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
, certain titles are still used and awarded.
See also
*
Irish genealogy
Irish genealogy is the study of individuals and families who originated on the island of Ireland.
Origins
Genealogy was cultivated since at least the start of the early Irish historic era. Upon inauguration, Bards and poets are believed to ha ...
*
Chief of the Name
*
Irish House of Lords
The Irish House of Lords was the upper house of the Parliament of Ireland that existed from medieval times until the end of 1800. It was also the final court of appeal of the Kingdom of Ireland.
It was modelled on the House of Lords of Englan ...
References
{{Authority control
Ireland and the Commonwealth of Nations
Peerage of Ireland
Peerage of the United Kingdom