‘They were both at war and contention, and destroying the country on all sides, regarding the sovereignty’: Gaelic succession, primogeniture, political instability and violence within clans
By Matthew Mcginty
Published in Studia Hibernica, January 2026.
Link
Published in Studia Hibernica, January 2026.
Link
Abstract
This article examines Gaelic succession in early modern Ireland and describes its impact on political stability within clans. Referred to as tanistry, Gaelic succession had several characteristics that contributed to internal clan succession disputes. ...