Walk in the Footsteps of our Heritage
Our towns, villages and countryside tell the story of centuries of shared history, culture and tradition. Ancient Clans has been created to encourage people to explore these places, discover their stories, and gain a deeper understanding of our rich shared heritage.
Ancient Clans is a community-led resource, developed in partnership with local history, heritage and community groups to share their research, knowledge and passion for preserving our past. Together we ensure that the information reflects the unique character and traditions of each area while preserving them for future generations.
Alongside the built and natural heritage the Ancient Clans website features Community Heritage Collections that preserve the social history of our towns and villages. These collections include historic photographs, many dating from the early 1900s, together with local stories, memories and historical information that captures our past traditions and way of life.
Whether you are a local resident, visitor, student, family historian or simply someone with an interest in the past, we hope this website inspires you to visit these heritage sites to experience and appreciate the history and culture that connects us.
Visit our Heritage Sites Section – choose a county and start exploring!
The Ancient Irish Clans and Plantation
The system of clans was the basis of society in Ireland up to the 17th Century and included powerful clans such as Ó Neill of Tir Eógain in Ulster, Ó Conor in Connacht, Ó Brien in Thomond, MacCarthy in Desmond, and MacMurroughs in Leinster.
The Gaelic Irish earls, led by Hugh O’Neill, attempted to find foreign support for a rebellion against English rule. Following their defeat in the Nine Years’ War, most notably at the Battle of Kinsale, (1601) the English Crown redoubled efforts to establish control, enforcing English law, undermining the traditional land rights of the earls, and challenging their Catholic faith. Internal betrayals among the Gaelic chiefs, anxieties over potential English retaliation, and a final attempt to secure support, both military and financial, from Spain led to their decision to leave Ireland for continental Europe. This exodus known as ‘The Flight of the Earl’ (1607) marked the collapse of Gaelic authority in Ireland.
During The Plantation of Ulster (1609 – 1690) Irish owned lands were taken by the English Crown and given to settlers from England and Scotland settlers to manage.
The chiefs remained exiled from Ireland bringing an end to the Gaelic order. O’Donnell died, in 1608, and was buried in the church of San Pietro di Montorio. Hugh O’Neill died of fever in 1616 in his sixties and was interred beside O’Donnell.
Find out more about The Ancient Clans of Ireland, and explore the major periods of Irish history, from the earliest human presence to the end of the medieval era.
Contact us if you would like to share information and images about a heritage site.
The Ancient Clan website is the result of a Cross Border Heritage Project between Mid Ulster District Council and Donegal County Council funded through EU PEACE IV funding. It began by sharing heritage sites in Donegal and Mid Ulster and now extending it to include heritage sites connected to our ancient history and heritage.
Mid Ulster District Council Good Relations Grant 2025 – 2026 and Small Development Grant 2025-26
