An Chlann Mhic Cárthaigh Riabhaigh
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The MacCarthy Reagh Clan

Like any other country, the ancient Irish had a social hierarchy. While it's true that the Irish kings and chiefs operated very differently from other European monarchs, and it was actually partly meritocracy which dictated who belonged in which stratum of society, there was still a strict social order which governed society. 

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Of course, at the top were the kings. And in order of descending precedence they were:

1. Ard Rí  (the High King) - the King of all Ireland, but was a mostly ceremonial position

2. Ri Cuicidh  (a Provincial King) - this would have been the rank of The MacCarthy Mór

3. Rí Mór Túath (lit. King of the Great Túath) - this would have been the rank of The MacCarthy Reagh

4. Rí Túath  (King of the Túath) - this would have been a sept Chieftain

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The ancient clan system was held together by a strong sense of community, and because of this, the authority of the chiefs and kings was restricted by the Brehon Laws and was truly beholden to the clan itself. Indeed, to cite Laurence Ginnell's 1894 book The Brehon Laws: A Legal Handbook:

“The king was not in any sense the maker of the law, but its officer, and so limited and hemmed round in his office, and so dependent on his clan, that it was easier and safer for him to conform to the intention of the law and promote the welfare of his people than to become either negligent or despotic. The office of Rig, of whatever rank, was always elective, as was the office of king anciently among the Saxons.” (Ginnell, p. 66)

 

“The method of choosing the king was not fully one of merit, nor fully elective, nor fully hereditary, but a combination of all three: and on the whole the office resembled as much that of president of a republic as it did that of a modern king.” (Ginnell, pp. 67-68)

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But beneath the kings and chiefs was the flaith (pronounced like 'flah'). The class of flaith was the class of nobility, and not unlike the modern aristocracy there were several grades of rank within this nobility: Aire Forgill, Aire Tuíse, Aire Ard, and Aire Déso.

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Accepting that the Aire grades in early Irish law were formal ranks of the lay nobility—defined by recognised precedence, public responsibility, and the legal “dignity” attached to status—it is reasonable to render them in the language of modern peerage as equivalents of grade, rather than as claims that Gaelic Ireland was feudal in structure. On that basis, the Aire Forgill, charged with the highest level of territorial responsibility and standing immediately beneath the kingly class, corresponds most naturally to a duke in continental terms. The Aire Tuíse, whose duties included assisting the king and acting in a diplomatic capacity—especially through the provision of hostages and the negotiation of treaties in cross-border disputes—resembles the expected role of a marcher lord, and thus aligns well with a marquess. The Aire Ard represented the túath and participated in making laws affecting the túath and its neighbours; while not identical, this combination of regional authority and quasi-public jurisdiction is aptly conveyed by the analogy of a Count. Finally, the Aire Déso, described as the lowest noble grade and sometimes compared in esteem to a highly skilled craftsman, is best understood as the threshold of lordship—comparable to a baronial rank: lesser in dignity than the higher grades, yet still unmistakably within the noble order.

 

These Aire styles are then not feudal titles, but legally articulated grades of lay nobility, and therefore can be rendered in modern peerage language as functional equivalents of rank and precedence, not as claims of identical constitutional structure. However, while the various grades of Aire are more akin to one’s rank and style, they were not used a titles themselves and individuals were titled as Tiarna or Ard Tiarna. 

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If we accept that all Tiarna are Aire Déso, and all Ard Tiarna would be either Aire Ard, Aire Tuíse, or Aire Forgill, then we can preserve the simple titular style while capturing the complex social hierarchy of each grade of Aire.​ Then, to further complicate things, certain offices within a chiefly household were ranks of nobility in their own right, and it seems in the historical record some of them could even be some grade of Aire. For example, the Marshal of a king's territory was regarded as an Aire Echtai.

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Today peerages are often recognized by honourifics such as 'His Grace', 'The Right Honourable', etc., and in Gaelic Ireland that did not exist. However, adapting the traditional Gaelic hierarchy to establish a modern equivalent to a formal honorific to ensure one’s address reflects their title and style, it could then be appropriate (however wholly modern and non-traditional) to refer to someone as ‘The [Aire grade equivalent], the [Title] of [Place].’ For Example:

• An t-Aire Tuíse, an Ard Tiarna Ghleann na Croime = The Marquess, the High Lord of Gleannachroim; or

• An t-Aire Déso, an Tiarna Chill Ghobáin = The Baron, the Lord of Kilgobbin.

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It can be sometimes difficult to say in retrospect (having few surviving written documents) precisely which people/holdings/chiefships held what noble rank historically. But understanding that the owner of a particular castle or fortified house would necessarily have been lord of the immediate surrounds, it is fair to say that in Carbery, subordinate to The MacCarthy Reagh, were the noble holdings of:

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The Demesne of The MacCarthy Reagh:

 

Marquess of Gleannachroim  /  Ard Tiarna Ghleann na Croime

    Baron of Dunmanway  /  Tiarna Dhún Mánmhaí

    Baron of Togher  /  Tiarna an Tóchair

Baron of Kilbrittain  /  Tiarna Chill Briotáin

Baron of Banduff  / Tiarna an Bháin Duibh

Baron of Clonakilty  /  Tiarna Chloich na Coillte

Baron of Dundaniel  /  Tiarna Dhún Dónaill

Baron of Gortnacloghy  /  Tiarna Ghort na gCloch

Baron of Ardgehane  /  Tiarna Ard Gaotháin

Baron of Fahouragh  /  Tiarna Fhaiche Úrach

Baron of Dunowen  /  Tiarna Dhún Eoghain

Baron of Shanavagh  /  Tiarna Sheanbhoithe

Baron of Skeagh  /  Tiarna na Sceiche

Baron of Ballinadee (Short Castle)  /  Tiarna Chúil na Pise

Baron of Curranure  /  Tiarna Chora an Iúir

Baron of Kilgobbin  /  Tiarna Chill Ghobáin

Baron of Derrynalane  /  Tiarna Dhoire na Lainne

Baron of Coolmain  /  Tiarna Chúl Méine

Baron of Carriganassig  /  Tiarna Charraig an Easaigh

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Lordships whose immediate overlord was The MacCarthy Reagh:

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Baron of Downeen  /  Tiarna an Dúinín

Baron of Phale  /  Tiarna an Fhéil

Baron of Murragh  /  Tiarna Mhaigh Rátha

Baron of Skeaf  /  Tiarna Scéimhe

Baron of Kilshinahan  /  Tiarna Chill tSeancháin

Baron of Burrane  /  Tiarna Bharráin

Baron of Burren  /  Tiarna Bhoirne

Baron of Monteen  /  Tiarna Mhóintín

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The High-Lordships of Carbery and their subordinate lordships:

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Duke of Clancrimen  /  Ard Tiarna Clainne Uí Chroimín

    Baron of Ballinoroher  /  Tiarna Bhéal Átha an Urchair

    Baron of Derryleamleary  /  Tiarna Dhoire Léim Laoghaire

    Baron of Dromgarriff  /  Tiarna an Droma Ghairbh

    Baron of Gallanes  /  Tiarna an Ghalláin

    Baron of Garraneishal  /  Tiarna an Gharráin Ísil

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Count of Clandermod  /  Ard Tiarna Clainne Diarmada

    Baron of Kilcoe  /  Tiarna Chill Chóiche

    Baron of Cloghan  /  Tiarna an Chlocháin

    Baron of Lissangle  /  Tiarna Lios Aingil

    Baron of Lettertinlish  /  Tiarna Leitir an tSinlis

    Baron of Ballyourane  /  Tiarna Bhaile Uí Óráin

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Count of Durrus  /  Ard Tiarna Dhúrais

    Baron of Scart  /  Tiarna na Scairte

    Baron of Coolnalong  /  Tiarna Chúil na Long

    Baron of Baurgorm  /  Tiarna an Bhairr Ghoirm

    Baron of Rossmore  /  Tiarna an Rois Mhóir

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Count of Collymore  /  Ard Tiarna na Binne Móire

    Baron of Dunasead  /  Tiarna Dhún na Séad

    Baron of Castlehaven  /  Tiarna Ghleann Bearcháin

    Baron of Dunnalong  /  Tiarna Dhún na Long

    Baron of Dunanore  /  Tiarna Dhún an Óir

    Baron of Dunnagall  /  Tiarna Dhún na nGall

    Baron of Inisbeg  /  Tiarna Inis Beag

    Baron of Oldcourt  /  Tiarna na Seanchúirte

    Baron of Clochan  /  Tiarna an Chlocháin

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Count of Collybeg  /  Ard Tiarna na Binne Bige

    Baron of Aghadown  /  Tiarna Achadh Dúin

    Baron of Rincolisky  /  Tiarna Rinn Chúil Uisce

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Count of Ivahagh  /  Ard Tiarna Uíbh Ráthaigh

    Baron of Ardintenant  /  Tiarna Ard an Teannáin

    Baron of Leamcon  /  Tiarna Léim Con

    Baron of Dunbeacon  /  Tiarna Dhún Béacáin

    Baron of Dunmanus  /  Tiarna Dhún Mánais

    Baron of Ballydivlin  /  Tiarna Bhéal Duibhlinne

    Baron of Dunlough  /  Tiarna Dhún Locha

    Baron of Rossbrin  /  Tiarna Ros Brain

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Count of Kinalmeaky  /  Ard Tiarna Chineál mBéice

    Baron of Castle Mahon  /  Tiarna Chaisleán Uí Mathúna

    Baron of Coornishal  /  Tiarna Chuar Níseal

 

Count of Clancahil  /  Ard Tiarna Clainne Cathail

    Baron of Castledonovan  /  Tiarna Chaisleán Uí Dhonnabháin

    Baron of Bawnlahan  /  Tiarna Bhán Chlocháin

    Baron of Raheen  /  Tiarna an Ráithín

    Baron of Ire  /  Tiarna Ímar

    Baron of Tooreen  /  Tiarna an Tuairín

    Baron of Caheragh  /  Tiarna Chathrach

    Baron of Behagullane  /  Tiarna Bheithe an Ghalláin

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Count of Clanloghlin  /  Ard Tiarna Clainne Lóchrainn

    Baron of Glandore  /  Tiarna Chuan Dor

    Baron of Fahanacowley  /  Tiarna Fhathain na MacAmhlaoibh

    Baron of Kippagh  /  Tiarna na Ceapaí

    Baron of Farranmareen  /  Tiarna Fhearann Mháirín

    Baron of Aghaduff  /  Tiarna Achadh Dubh

    Baron of Cloghatrabally  /  Tiarna na Cloiche Trá Bhaile

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Count of Kilshallow  /  Ard Tiarna Chill Ó Sealbhaigh

    Baron of Castlecrowley  /  Tiarna Chaisleán Uí Cruadhlaoich

    Baron of Dromfeagh  /  Tiarna Dhrom Fia

    Baron of Connagh  /  Tiarna Chonach

    Baron of Lisselane  /  Tiarna Lios Fhaoláin

    Baron of Dromidiclogh  /  Tiarna Dhrom an Tí Cloiche

    Baron of Curraghcrowley  /  Tiarna an Churraigh Cruadhlaoich

    Baron of Buckree  /  Tiarna Bhocraí

    Baron of Kinneigh  /  Tiarna Chinn Eich

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Count of Barryroe  /  Ard Tiarna Bharrach Rua

    Baron of Timoleague  /  Tiarna Thigh Molaige

    Baron of Castlearundel  /  Tiarna Chaisleán Arundel

    Baron of Courtmacsherry  /  Tiarna Chúirt Mhic Shéafraidh

    Baron of Rathbarry  /  Tiarna Ráth an Bharraigh

    Baron of Ballinlough  /  Tiarna Bhaile an Locha

    Baron of Hayescastle  /  Tiarna Hae an Chaisleáin

    Baron of Aghamilla  /  Tiarna Achadh Meille

    Baron of Dunnycove  /  Tiarna Dhún Ó Cobhthaigh

    Baron of Dunworly  /  Tiarna Dhún Urlainn

    Baron of Dundeady  /  Tiarna Dhún dTéide

    Baron of Donoure  /  Tiarna Dhún Uabhair

    Baron of Lissycrimeen  /  Tiarna Lios Uí Chroimín

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Count of Barryoge  /  Ard Tiarna Bharrach Óig

    Baron of Ballinaclashet  /  Tiarna Bhaile na Claise

    Baron of Ringcurran  /  Tiarna Rinn Chorráin

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Count of Ibane  /  Ard Tiarna Ó Bána

    Baron of Ardfield  /  Tiarna Ard Ó bhFicheallaigh

    Baron of Duneen  /  Tiarna an Dúinín

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Count of Dromnea  /  Ard Tiarna Dhrom an Fhéich

    Baron of Farranamanagh  /  Tiarna Fhearann na Manach

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Count of Rosscarbery  /  Ard Tiarna Ros Ó gCairbre

    Warden of the Wood of the Pilgrims  /  Bardach an Rosa Ailithir

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Count of Ballynacarriga  /  Ard Tiarna Bhaile na Carraige

    Baron of Ballinacarriga  /  Tiarna Bhaile na Carraige

    Baron of Ballinvard  /  Tiarna Bhaile an Bhaird

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Of course, while each overlord was given tribute by their respective lords, it was common that a lord was a member of another clan. For example the Baron of Tooreen, who was also Chief of The O’Crowley Baccach sept, was subordinate to The O’Donovan, the Count of Clancahil. 

 

So The O’Crowley Baccach held Tooreen castle on behalf of The O'Donovan, but was familial loyal to The O’Crowley; all of whom were working together to ensure the protection and success of The MacCarthy Reagh's territory of Carbery! 

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Similarly, The O’Crowley Riough held Ballinacarriga of The O'Hurley, but he also held Phale and Rosscarbery of The MacCarthy Reagh; The O’Crowley Ciappach held Kippagh, Farranmareen and Aghaduff of The O'Donovan of Clanloughlin; The O’Crowley MacFyneen held Dromgarriff, Gallanes and Garraneishal of The MacCarthy of Clancrimen; and many more like this!

 

If the nation went to war The O'Crowley would need to coordinate with The O'Donovan and The O'Hurley (just to name two) to organize which troops would be stationed where. O'Crowley had chiefly authority over his kin manning Farranmareen and Ballinacarriga Castles, but The O'Hurley and The O'Donovan had military authority over those  fortified estates and territories respectively. So which authority took precedence? Such a complex system could only have worked with a tremendous amount of cooperation from all families, working towards a common goal - support The MacCarthy Reagh family and defend Carbery. 

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We can only now begin to image how complex, intertwined and strong the Irish social structure was! So many families all with mixed obligations and allegiances to each other, all working together to form a singular nation -the Principality of Carbery.