Genealogical Office: Difference between revisions

Colette O'Flaherty
Colette O'Flaherty
8th Chief Herald of Ireland
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; June 2010
President	Mary McAleese; Michael D. Higgins;
Taoiseach	Brian Cowen; Enda Kenny; Leo Varadkar; Micheál Martin; Leo Varadkar; Simon Harris;
Preceded by	Collette Byrne
Personal details
Nationality	Irish
Profession	Genealogy

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The Genealogical Office is an office of the Government of Ireland containing genealogical records. It includes the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland (Irish: Príomh Aralt na hÉireann),^[1] the authority in Ireland for heraldry. The Chief Herald authorises the granting of arms to Irish bodies and Irish people, including descendants of emigrants. The office was constituted on 1 April 1943 as successor to the Ulster King of Arms, established during the Tudor period of the Kingdom of Ireland in 1552. The Ulster King of Arms' duties in relation to Northern Ireland were taken over by the Norroy and Ulster King of Arms.

The Genealogical Office was based in Dublin Castle until 1981.^[2]^[3] It was made part of the Department of Education in 1943.^[4] In 1987 it relocated to Kildare Street, occupying part of the former Kildare Street Club premises beside the National Library of Ireland (NLI).^[5] It was formally recognised as part of the NLI in 1997.^[1] In 2002,^[6] it was transferred from Education to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism.^[6] The State Heraldic Museum was housed in the Genealogical Office until its closure in 2007.^[7]^[8]

Jurisdiction

The tradition of the Irish abroad seeking grants of arms from the Chief Herald continues to the present. The office accepts petitions for grants of arms from the following:^[9]

A citizen of Ireland or a person who has an entitlement to become a citizen.
A person resident in the state for at least the five-year period immediately before the date of the application.
A public or local authority, corporate body or other entity which has been located or functioning in Ireland for at least five years.
An individual, corporate body or other entity, not resident or located in Ireland but who or which has substantial historical, cultural, educational, financial or ancestral connections with Ireland.

An application for a grant of arms should be made to the Chief Herald, on a prescribed form, setting out, in the case of a personal application, basic personal information and accompanied by supporting certificates or other appropriate documents. For a grant of arms to a corporate body or other entity, the application should include information about the legal status (if any) of the organisation, its structure, its activities and business, the length of time during which it has operated and, if relevant, information about membership. Where appropriate, a certified copy of the resolution of the council, board, or other controlling body should be submitted. If an application appears to be in order the matter is considered in detail by a herald of arms who will consult with the applicant about possible designs. A preliminary painting is then made for the approval of the applicant who will also be shown a draft of the letters patent. The final document is issued on vellum and includes a hand-painted exemplification of the arms. The grant of arms is recorded in the Register of Arms and is a matter of public record.

In November 1945 the Chief Herald granted the coat of arms of Ireland to the state itself.^[10]

At the request of the Irish government grants of arms were made to US presidents John F. Kennedy in 1963 and Bill Clinton in 1995.^[a]

Titles of nobility

Article 40.2.1 of the Constitution of Ireland prohibits the conferral of a new title of nobility by the State, and Article 40.2.2 prohibits acceptance by any citizen of any title of nobility or of honour "without the prior approval of the Government."^[12]

The Constitution does not prohibit the granting of honours, other than titles of nobility, by the State. The Constitution is also silent as to untitled nobility. The Government acknowledges titles of nobility that have in the past derived from the British Crown as the fount of honour then exercising sovereignty over Ireland, and in fact, such titles continue to be mentioned in confirmations of arms by the Chief Herald of Ireland.

Chiefs of the Name

When the Kingdom of Ireland was created in 1541, the Dublin administration wanted to involve the Gaelic chiefs in the new entity, creating new titles for them such as the Baron Upper Ossory, Earl of Tyrone, or the Barons Inchiquin. In the process, they were granted new coats of arms from 1552. The associated policy of surrender and regrant involved a change to succession to a title by primogeniture, and not by tanistry where a group of male cousins of a chief were eligible to succeed by election. This was accepted by the new title-holders, but not by some of their cousins. Thereafter the chiefs of the name succeeded by primogeniture for several centuries, in a similar way to the clan chiefs in Scotland.^{[citation needed]}

Many other clan chiefs were never given formal titles or knighthoods from the Kingdom of Ireland, but were issued with arms and usually registered their genealogies with the heralds in Dublin, and became a significant part of the landed gentry.^{[citation needed]}

After the Battle of Kinsale in 1601 and the subsequent Flight of the Earls, some dozens of the old Gaelic aristocracy scattered throughout Catholic Europe. Some of their descendants were granted courtesy recognition in 1943 by the Chief Herald as Chiefs of the Name, signifying that they were the senior male line descendant from the last recognised chief of the name.^{[citation needed]}

The issue of the chiefs' succession arose again after the creation of the Chief Herald of Ireland in 1943. Some Chiefs of the Name favoured tanistry, while others saw primogeniture as a more practical system.^{[citation needed]} In an address to the Irish Senate in December 2006, John O'Donoghue then Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, expressed the opinion that it was a matter for those who bore these titles to decide on the system they used for succession, but that he found it strange that an English system had been used for the succession of titles originally created under a native Irish system.^[13]

Following advice from the Attorney General that the recognition of Chiefs of the Name was without basis in law,^[14] the practice of courtesy recognition was abandoned in July 2003.^[15]

Questions over legal status of the office

Due reportedly to uncertainty concerning the legal validity of grants of arms in Ireland, the post of Chief Herald remained vacant from September 2003 until August 2005. It had been assumed that the prerogatives of the British Crown, including the power to grant arms, had been inherited after Irish independence in 1922.

While many functions had passed under the Irish Free State (Agreement) Act 1922 to the then Provisional Government of the Irish Free State in April 1922, the pre-existing office of the Ulster King of Arms continued unchanged until 1943.

In May 2005 the government enacted section 13 of the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997.^[16] This enables the Board of the National Library to "designate a member of its staff to perform the duty of researching, granting and confirming coats of arms and such member shall use the appellation Chief Herald of Ireland or, in the Irish language, Príomh-Aralt na hÉireann, while performing such duties".^[17] While this was intended to legitimise the granting of arms in Ireland, it actually initiated a debate as to whether any grants made since 1943 were valid.^[18] These would include the 1945 grant of the coat of arms of Ireland to the state itself.

In May 2006 the Genealogy & Heraldry Bill^[19] was introduced into Seanad Éireann to reform the Office and provide a firm legal basis for grants and confirmations of arms.

The Bill was withdrawn on 12 December 2006 with the consent of the sponsoring senator and was referred to the board of the National Library for consideration by John O'Donoghue, the then Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism.^[20]

In September 2007 a notice was added to the National Library website noting the suspension of grants of arms until the legal situation was clarified. Following the receipt of legal advice, the Board of the National Library was "satisfied that it can exercise the heraldic powers conferred on it by the 1997 Act", and grants are again being made.

The Board did, however, note that "doubts exist regarding the legal basis of heraldic functions exercised in the State prior to the establishment of the Board" and that "with minor amendment, the wording of the Act could be made more succinct".^[21]

While the issue of the legality of grants of arms by the Chief Herald has been resolved, no penalties or jurisdiction have yet been legislated for to discourage anyone from designing and using a new coat of arms. The specific emblazonments of self-designed arms may be protected by the current copyright law of Ireland.

Chief Heralds

Edward McLysaght (1943–54)^[22]
Gerard Slevin (1954–81)^[23]
Donal Begley (1981–95)^[24]
Patricia Donlon (1995–97)^[25]
Brendan O Donoghue (1997–2003)^[26]
Post vacant 2003–05^[27]
Fergus Gillespie (2005–2009)^[28]
Collette Byrne (2009–2010)
Colette O'Flaherty (2010–)^[29]

Costs of granting and preparing arms

An applicant will be expected to provide genealogical information including birth, marriage and death certificates back to an ancestor that bore arms. Alternatively, an entirely new grant of arms can be discussed and designed.^[30] Since 7 October 2013 the basic cost of a Grant of Arms (or confirmation of a prior grant) has been:

Individual €4,400
Corporate bodies (Commercial) €17,250
Local authorities, government offices and agencies €8,600
Schools, clubs, professional associations and other non-profit organizations €8,600

The sum of €400 is payable when lodging the application; half of the remaining fee is payable when work on the design begins, and the balance must be paid before work on the actual grant of arms is put in hand by the Herald Painter.

Notes

^ Mr Clinton's arms are blazoned thus: Or a lion rampant gules charged with three bars argent holding in the dexter paw a branch of olive proper between in the dexter chief and sinister base a cross crosslet fitchée sable and in the sinister chief and dexter base a shamrock slipped vert. And the Crest: An anchor erect azure on the stock the letters SPES argent. With the Motto: An leon do bheir an chraobh (English: The lion who bears away the branch)^[11]

References

^ ^a ^b National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 §13: Provisions relating to genealogy and heraldry.
^ Hood 2002 p. 231
^ "The Genealogical Office, Dublin Castle". Burke's Peerage and Gentry (15th ed.). 1937. Archived from the original on 22 October 2007.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^ S.I. No. 267/1943 — Allocation of Administration (Genealogical Office) Order, 1943
^ Hood 2002 p. 235
^ ^a ^b S.I. No. 328/2002 — Genealogical Office (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2002
^ Hood 2002 pp. 82, 174, 216, 235
^ National Library of Ireland (April 2009). "Annual Report 2007" (PDF). Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. p. 3. Retrieved 6 January 2024. In December 2007 an additional exhibition space was opened in the space previously occupied by the Heraldic Museum in 2/3 Kildare Street.
^ Applying for a Grant of Arms, National Library of Ireland, accessed 3 March 2014
^ "Holdings: Grant of Arms (Registration): Arms of Ireland". Archived from the original on 18 May 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
^ Genealogical Office: Register of Arms, 1982–95, GO MS 111 W+X, folio X77, grant dated 13 June 1995.
^ "Constitution of Ireland Article 40.2.2" (PDF). Government of Ireland. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2008.
^ Oireachtas, Houses of the (12 December 2006). "Genealogy and Heraldry Bill 2006: Second Stage. – Seanad Éireann (22nd Seanad) – Tuesday, 12 Dec 2006 – Houses of the Oireachtas". www.oireachtas.ie.
^ Oireachtas, Houses of the (12 December 2006). "Genealogy and Heraldry Bill 2006: Second Stage. – Seanad Éireann (22nd Seanad) – Tuesday, 12 Dec 2006 – Houses of the Oireachtas". www.oireachtas.ie.
^ Burns, John (27 July 2003). "Irish chieftains lose their crowns". Sunday Times.
^ Section 13 text online
^ National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997, section 13 (Irish Statute Book), accessed 25 October 2007
^ An Irish Arms Crisis, Sean J. Murphy, accessed 25 October 2007
^ Genealogy & Heraldry Bill, 2006.
^ Parliamentary Debates (Official Report – Unrevised) Seanad Éireann Tuesday, 12 December 2006 [1]
^ Press Release, Board of the National Library of Ireland, 24 October 2007
^ Lysaght, Charles (1 October 2009). "MacLysaght, Edward Anthony Edgeworth". Dictionary of Irish Biography. doi:10.3318/dib.005251.v1.
^ White, Lawrence William (1 October 2009). "Slevin, ( John) Gerard". Dictionary of Irish Biography. doi:10.3318/dib.008122.v1.
^ "BEGLEY, Donal: Death". Irish Times Family Notices. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
^ Logue, Antonia. "Arms and the woman". The Irish Times. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
^ "Brendan O'Donoghue obituary: a cultural influence". The Irish Times.
^ Oireachtas, Houses of the (12 December 2006). "Genealogy and Heraldry Bill 2006: Second Stage. – Seanad Éireann (22nd Seanad) – Tuesday, 12 Dec 2006 – Houses of the Oireachtas". www.oireachtas.ie.
^ "I'm not sure genealogy is to be recommended: skeletons can fall out of family cupboards". Irish Independent. 21 November 2009.
^ "Colette O'Flaherty: Chief Herald of Ireland". www.businesspost.ie.
^ Applying for a grant of Arms booklet (National Library of Ireland, bi-lingual, undated)

External links

Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland
An Irish Arms Crisis — Critical essay on status of the Office of the Chief Herald.
Full text and explanatory memorandum of Genealogy & Heraldry Bill, 2006.

[12] Mr Clinton's arms are blazoned thus: Or a lion rampant gules charged with three bars argent holding in the dexter paw a branch of olive proper between in the dexter chief and sinister base a cross crosslet fitchée sable and in the sinister chief and dexter base a shamrock slipped vert. And the Crest: An anchor erect azure on the stock the letters SPES argent. With the Motto: An leon do bheir an chraobh (English: The lion who bears away the branch)^[11]

[act-1997-11-13-1] National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 §13: Provisions relating to genealogy and heraldry.

[2] Hood 2002 p. 231

[burkes-3] "The Genealogical Office, Dublin Castle". Burke's Peerage and Gentry (15th ed.). 1937. Archived from the original on 22 October 2007.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

[4] S.I. No. 267/1943 — Allocation of Administration (Genealogical Office) Order, 1943

[5] Hood 2002 p. 235

[si-2002-328-6] S.I. No. 328/2002 — Genealogical Office (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2002

[7] Hood 2002 pp. 82, 174, 216, 235

[8] National Library of Ireland (April 2009). "Annual Report 2007" (PDF). Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. p. 3. Retrieved 6 January 2024. In December 2007 an additional exhibition space was opened in the space previously occupied by the Heraldic Museum in 2/3 Kildare Street.

[9] Applying for a Grant of Arms, National Library of Ireland, accessed 3 March 2014

[10] "Holdings: Grant of Arms (Registration): Arms of Ireland". Archived from the original on 18 May 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2013.

[11] Genealogical Office: Register of Arms, 1982–95, GO MS 111 W+X, folio X77, grant dated 13 June 1995.

[13] "Constitution of Ireland Article 40.2.2" (PDF). Government of Ireland. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2008.

[14] Oireachtas, Houses of the (12 December 2006). "Genealogy and Heraldry Bill 2006: Second Stage. – Seanad Éireann (22nd Seanad) – Tuesday, 12 Dec 2006 – Houses of the Oireachtas". www.oireachtas.ie.

[15] Oireachtas, Houses of the (12 December 2006). "Genealogy and Heraldry Bill 2006: Second Stage. – Seanad Éireann (22nd Seanad) – Tuesday, 12 Dec 2006 – Houses of the Oireachtas". www.oireachtas.ie.

[16] Burns, John (27 July 2003). "Irish chieftains lose their crowns". Sunday Times.

[17] Section 13 text online

[18] National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997, section 13 (Irish Statute Book), accessed 25 October 2007

[19] An Irish Arms Crisis, Sean J. Murphy, accessed 25 October 2007

[oireachtas-20] Genealogy & Heraldry Bill, 2006.

[21] Parliamentary Debates (Official Report – Unrevised) Seanad Éireann Tuesday, 12 December 2006 [1]

[22] Press Release, Board of the National Library of Ireland, 24 October 2007

[23] Lysaght, Charles (1 October 2009). "MacLysaght, Edward Anthony Edgeworth". Dictionary of Irish Biography. doi:10.3318/dib.005251.v1.

[24] White, Lawrence William (1 October 2009). "Slevin, ( John) Gerard". Dictionary of Irish Biography. doi:10.3318/dib.008122.v1.

[25] "BEGLEY, Donal: Death". Irish Times Family Notices. Retrieved 19 August 2024.

[26] Logue, Antonia. "Arms and the woman". The Irish Times. Retrieved 19 August 2024.

[27] "Brendan O'Donoghue obituary: a cultural influence". The Irish Times.

[28] Oireachtas, Houses of the (12 December 2006). "Genealogy and Heraldry Bill 2006: Second Stage. – Seanad Éireann (22nd Seanad) – Tuesday, 12 Dec 2006 – Houses of the Oireachtas". www.oireachtas.ie.

[29] "I'm not sure genealogy is to be recommended: skeletons can fall out of family cupboards". Irish Independent. 21 November 2009.

[30] "Colette O'Flaherty: Chief Herald of Ireland". www.businesspost.ie.

[31] Applying for a grant of Arms booklet (National Library of Ireland, bi-lingual, undated)

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{short description|Office of the Government of Ireland}}
 {{more citations needed|date=November 2014}}
-{{EngvarB|date=October 2013}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
-{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
+{{Use Hiberno-English|date=March 2023}}
+{{Infobox officeholder
+| name                = Colette O'Flaherty
+| order               = 8th
+| office              = Chief Herald of Ireland
+| president           = {{plainlist|
+*[[Mary McAleese]]
+*[[Michael D. Higgins]]}}
+| taoiseach           = {{plainlist|
+*[[Brian Cowen]]
+*[[Enda Kenny]]
+*[[Leo Varadkar]]
+*[[Micheál Martin]]
+*[[Leo Varadkar]]
+*[[Simon Harris]]}}
+| term_start          = June 2010
+| predecessor         = Collette Byrne
+| nationality         = [[Irish people|Irish]]
+| profession          = Genealogy|
+| image               = File:Collette_O'Flaherty.png
+}}
 [[File:Ulster King of Arms-Lant's Roll.jpg|thumb|right|150px|The coat of arms of Ulster King of Arms, who preceded the Chief Herald of Ireland. Taken from Lant's Roll]]
-The '''Genealogical Office''' is an office of the [[Government of Ireland]] containing genealogical records. It includes the Office of the '''Chief Herald of Ireland''' ({{lang-ga|Príomh Aralt na hÉireann}}),<ref name="act-1997-11-13"/> the authority in [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] for [[heraldry]]. The Chief Herald authorises the granting of [[coat of arms|arms]] to Irish bodies and [[Irish people]], including [[Irish diaspora|descendants of emigrants]].  The office was constituted on 1 April 1943 as successor to the [[Ulster King of Arms]], established during the [[Tudor dynasty|Tudor]] period of the [[Kingdom of Ireland]] in 1552.  The Ulster King of Arms' duties were taken over by the [[Norroy and Ulster King of Arms]].
+The '''Genealogical Office''' is an office of the [[Government of Ireland]] containing genealogical records. It includes the Office of the '''Chief Herald of Ireland''' ({{lang-ga|Príomh Aralt na hÉireann}}),<ref name="act-1997-11-13"/> the authority in [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] for [[heraldry]]. The Chief Herald authorises the granting of [[coat of arms|arms]] to Irish bodies and [[Irish people]], including [[Irish diaspora|descendants of emigrants]].  The office was constituted on 1 April 1943 as successor to the [[Ulster King of Arms]], established during the [[Tudor dynasty|Tudor]] period of the [[Kingdom of Ireland]] in 1552.  The Ulster King of Arms' duties in relation to [[Northern Ireland]] were taken over by the [[Norroy and Ulster King of Arms]].
+The Genealogical Office was based in [[Dublin Castle]] until 1981.<ref>Hood 2002 p. 231</ref><ref name="burkes">{{cite book |chapter=The Genealogical Office, Dublin Castle |edition=15th |date=1937 |title=[[Burke's Peerage and Gentry]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022113809/http://www.burkes-peerage.net/articles/ireland/page92.aspx |url-status=usurped |chapter-url=http://www.burkes-peerage.net/articles/ireland/page92.aspx |archive-date=22 October 2007 }}
-The Genealogical Office was formerly based in [[Dublin Castle]].<ref name="burkes">
+</ref> It was made part of the [[Department of Education (Ireland)|Department of Education]] in 1943.<ref>
-[http://www.burkes-peerage.net/articles/ireland/page92.aspx The Genealogical Office, Dublin Castle], [[Burke's Peerage and Gentry]]
-</ref> It was made part of the [[Department of Education and Skills (Ireland)|Department of Education]] in 1943.<ref>
 [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1943/en/si/0267.html S.I. No. 267/1943 — Allocation of Administration (Genealogical Office) Order, 1943]
-</ref> The office later relocated to the [[National Library of Ireland]] (NLI),<ref name="burkes"/> and was formally recognised as part of the NLI in 1997.<ref name="act-1997-11-13">
+</ref> In 1987 it relocated to [[Kildare Street]], occupying part of the former [[Kildare Street Club]] premises beside the [[National Library of Ireland]] (NLI).<ref>Hood 2002 p. 235</ref> It was formally recognised as part of the NLI in 1997.<ref name="act-1997-11-13">
 [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1997/en/act/pub/0011/sec0013.htm National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 §13: Provisions relating to genealogy and heraldry.]
 </ref> In 2002,<ref name="si-2002-328">
 [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2002/en/si/0328.html S.I. No. 328/2002 — Genealogical Office (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2002]
 </ref> it was transferred from Education to the [[Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht|Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism]].<ref name="si-2002-328"/>
+The [[State Heraldic Museum]] was housed in the Genealogical Office until its closure in 2007.<ref>Hood 2002 pp. 82, 174, 216, 235</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=National Library of Ireland |title=Annual Report 2007 |url=https://opac.oireachtas.ie/AWData/Library3/Library2/DL062527.pdf |publisher=Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism |access-date=6 January 2024 |page=3 |date=April 2009 |quote=In December 2007 an additional exhibition space was opened in the space previously occupied by the Heraldic Museum in 2/3 Kildare Street.}}</ref>
 ==Jurisdiction==
-The tradition of the Irish abroad seeking grants of arms from the Chief Herald continues to the present. The Office accepts petitions for [[grant of arms|grants of arms]] from the following:<ref>[http://www.nli.ie/en/applying-for-a-grant-of-arms.aspx ''Applying for a Grant of Arms'', National Library of Ireland, accessed 3 March 2014]</ref>
+The tradition of the Irish abroad seeking grants of arms from the Chief Herald continues to the present. The office accepts petitions for [[grant of arms|grants of arms]] from the following:<ref>[http://www.nli.ie/en/applying-for-a-grant-of-arms.aspx ''Applying for a Grant of Arms'', National Library of Ireland, accessed 3 March 2014]</ref>
 *A citizen of Ireland or a person who has an entitlement to become a citizen.
-*A person resident in the State for at least the five-year period immediately before the date of the application.
+*A person resident in the state for at least the five-year period immediately before the date of the application.
 *A public or local authority, corporate body or other entity which has been located or functioning in Ireland for at least five years.
-*An individual, corporate body or other entity not resident or located in Ireland but who or which has substantial historical, cultural, educational, financial or ancestral connections with Ireland.
+*An individual, corporate body or other entity, not resident or located in Ireland but who or which has substantial historical, cultural, educational, financial or ancestral connections with Ireland.
-An application for a grant of arms should be made to the Chief Herald, on a prescribed form, setting out, in the case of a personal application, basic personal information and accompanied by supporting certificates or other appropriate documents. For a grant of arms to a corporate body or other entity, the application should include information about the legal status (if any) of the organisation, its structure, its activities and business, the length of time during which it has operated and, if relevant, information about membership. Where appropriate, a certified copy of the resolution of the Council, Board, or other controlling body should be submitted.
+An application for a grant of arms should be made to the Chief Herald, on a prescribed form, setting out, in the case of a personal application, basic personal information and accompanied by supporting certificates or other appropriate documents. For a grant of arms to a corporate body or other entity, the application should include information about the legal status (if any) of the organisation, its structure, its activities and business, the length of time during which it has operated and, if relevant, information about membership. Where appropriate, a certified copy of the resolution of the council, board, or other controlling body should be submitted. If an application appears to be in order the matter is considered in detail by a herald of arms who will consult with the applicant about possible designs. A preliminary painting is then made for the approval of the applicant who will also be shown a draft of the letters patent. The final document is issued on vellum and includes a hand-painted exemplification of the arms. The grant of arms is recorded in the Register of Arms and is a matter of public record.
+In November 1945 the Chief Herald granted the [[coat of arms of Ireland]] to the state itself.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/garmsBackReg198 |title=Holdings: Grant of Arms (Registration): Arms of Ireland |access-date=2013-05-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518035146/http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/garmsBackReg198 |archive-date=18 May 2013}}</ref>
-If an application appears to be in order the matter is considered in detail by a herald of arms who will consult with the applicant about possible designs. A preliminary painting is then made for the approval of the applicant who will also be shown a draft of the Letters Patent. The final document is issued on vellum and includes a hand-painted exemplification of the arms. The grant of arms is recorded in the Register of Arms and is a matter of public record.
+At the request of the Irish government grants of arms were made to [[President of the United States|US presidents]] [[John F. Kennedy]] in 1963 and [[Bill Clinton]] in 1995.{{efn|Mr Clinton's arms are blazoned thus: Or a lion rampant gules charged with three bars argent holding in the dexter paw a branch of olive proper between in the dexter chief and sinister base a cross crosslet fitchée sable and in the sinister chief and dexter base a shamrock slipped vert.
-In November 1945 the Chief Herald granted the [[coat of arms of Ireland]] to the State itself.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/garmsBackReg198 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2013-05-30 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518035146/http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/garmsBackReg198 |archivedate=18 May 2013}}</ref>
+And the Crest: An anchor erect azure on the stock the letters SPES argent.
-At the request of the Irish Government a Grant of Arms was made to [[President of the United States|US presidents]] [[John F. Kennedy]] in 1963 and [[Bill Clinton]] in 1995.<ref>Mr Clinton's arms are blazoned thus: Or a lion rampant gules charged with three bars argent holding in the dexter paw a branch of olive proper between in the dexter chief and sinister base a cross crosslet fitchée sable and in the sinister chief and dexter base a shamrock slipped vert.
+With the Motto: ''An leon do bheir an chraobh'' (English: The lion who bears away the branch)<ref>Genealogical Office: Register of Arms, 1982–95, GO MS 111 W+X, folio X77, grant dated 13 June 1995.</ref>}}
-And the Crest : An anchor erect azure on the stock the letters SPES argent.
-With the Motto :  An leon do bheir an chraobh (English : The lion who bears away the branch )
-Genealogical Office: Register of Arms, 1982–95, GO MS 111 W+X, folio X77, grant dated 13 June 1995.
-</ref>
 ==Titles of nobility==
-Article 40.2.1 of the Constitution of Ireland prohibits the conferral of a new [[title of nobility]] by the State, and Article 40.2.2 prohibits acceptance by any citizen of any title of nobility or of honour "without the prior approval of the Government."<ref>{{cite web|archivedate=21 July 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721123405/http://www.constitution.ie/reports/ConstitutionofIreland.pdf |url=http://www.constitution.ie/reports/ConstitutionofIreland.pdf |title=Constitution of Ireland Article 40.2.2. |accessdate=23 August 2008 |publisher=Government of Ireland |url-status=dead}}</ref>
+Article 40.2.1 of the Constitution of Ireland prohibits the conferral of a new [[title of nobility]] by the State, and Article 40.2.2 prohibits acceptance by any citizen of any title of nobility or of honour "without the prior approval of the Government."<ref>{{cite web|archive-date=21 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721123405/http://www.constitution.ie/reports/ConstitutionofIreland.pdf |url=http://www.constitution.ie/reports/ConstitutionofIreland.pdf |title=Constitution of Ireland Article 40.2.2. |access-date=23 August 2008 |publisher=Government of Ireland |url-status=dead}}</ref>
-The Constitution does not prohibit the grantings of honours, other than titles of nobility, by the State. The Constitution is also silent as to untitled nobility. The Government acknowledges titles of nobility that have in the past derived from the [[British Crown]] as the ''[[fount of honour]]'' then exercising sovereignty over Ireland, and in fact such titles continue to be mentioned in confirmations of arms by the Chief Herald of Ireland.
+The Constitution does not prohibit the granting of honours, other than titles of nobility, by the State. The Constitution is also silent as to untitled nobility. The Government acknowledges titles of nobility that have in the past derived from the [[British Crown]] as the ''[[fount of honour]]'' then exercising sovereignty over Ireland, and in fact, such titles continue to be mentioned in confirmations of arms by the Chief Herald of Ireland.
 ==Chiefs of the Name==
-{{See also|Gaelic nobility of Ireland}}
+{{See also|Gaelic nobility of Ireland|Chief of the Name}}
-When the [[Kingdom of Ireland]] was created in 1541, the Dublin administration wanted to involve the Gaelic chiefs into the new entity, creating new titles for them such as the [[Earl of Tyrone#Earls of Tyrone.2C first Creation .281542.29|Earl of Tyrone]], or the [[Early Barons Inchiquin|Barons Inchiquin]]. In the process they were granted new coats of arms from 1552. The associated policy of [[surrender and regrant]] involved a change to succession to a title by [[primogeniture]], and not by [[tanistry]] where a group of male cousins of a chief were eligible to succeed by election. This was accepted by the new title-holders but not by some of their cousins. Thereafter the chiefs of the name succeeded by primogeniture for several centuries, in a similar way to the clan chiefs in [[Scotland]].
+When the [[Kingdom of Ireland]] was created in 1541, the Dublin administration wanted to involve the Gaelic chiefs in the new entity, creating new titles for them such as the [[Baron Upper Ossory]], [[Earl of Tyrone#Earls of Tyrone.2C first Creation .281542.29|Earl of Tyrone]], or the [[Early Barons Inchiquin|Barons Inchiquin]]. In the process, they were granted new coats of arms from 1552. The associated policy of [[surrender and regrant]] involved a change to succession to a title by [[primogeniture]], and not by [[tanistry]] where a group of male cousins of a chief were eligible to succeed by election. This was accepted by the new title-holders, but not by some of their cousins. Thereafter the chiefs of the name succeeded by primogeniture for several centuries, in a similar way to the clan chiefs in [[Scotland]].{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
-Many other clan chiefs were never given formal titles or knighthoods from the Kingdom of Ireland, but were issued with arms and usually registered their genealogies with the heralds in Dublin, and became a significant part of the [[landed gentry]].
+Many other clan chiefs were never given formal titles or knighthoods from the Kingdom of Ireland, but were issued with arms and usually registered their genealogies with the heralds in Dublin, and became a significant part of the [[landed gentry]].{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
-After the [[Battle of Kinsale]] in 1601 and the subsequent [[Flight of the Earls]], some dozens of the old Gaelic [[aristocracy]] scattered throughout [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] Europe. Some of their descendants were granted courtesy recognition in 1943 by the Chief Herald as [[Chiefs of the Name]], signifying that they are the senior male line descendant from the last recognised chief of the name.
+After the [[Battle of Kinsale]] in 1601 and the subsequent [[Flight of the Earls]], some dozens of the old Gaelic [[aristocracy]] scattered throughout [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] Europe. Some of their descendants were granted courtesy recognition in 1943 by the Chief Herald as [[Chiefs of the Name]], signifying that they were the senior male line descendant from the last recognised chief of the name.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
-The issue of the chiefs' succession arose again after the creation of the Chief Herald of Ireland in 1943. Some Chiefs of the Name favour tanistry while others see primogeniture as a more practical system. In an address to the Irish Senate in December 2006 [[John O'Donoghue (politician)|John O'Donoghue]], the then [[Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht|Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism]] also expressed the opinion that it was a matter for those who bore these titles to decide on the system they used for succession, but that he found it strange that an English system had been used for the succession of titles originally created under a native Irish system.
+The issue of the chiefs' succession arose again after the creation of the Chief Herald of Ireland in 1943. Some Chiefs of the Name favoured tanistry, while others saw primogeniture as a more practical system.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} In an address to the Irish Senate in December 2006, [[John O'Donoghue (politician)|John O'Donoghue]] then [[Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media|Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism]], expressed the opinion that it was a matter for those who bore these titles to decide on the system they used for succession, but that he found it strange that an English system had been used for the succession of titles originally created under a native Irish system.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Oireachtas |first1=Houses of the |title=Genealogy and Heraldry Bill 2006: Second Stage. – Seanad Éireann (22nd Seanad) – Tuesday, 12 Dec 2006 – Houses of the Oireachtas |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/seanad/2006-12-12/8/#spk_119 |website=www.oireachtas.ie |language=en-ie |date=12 December 2006}}</ref>
-Following advice from the Attorney General that the recognition of Chiefs of the Name was without basis in law, the practice of courtesy recognition was abandoned in July 2003.
+Following advice from the Attorney General that the recognition of Chiefs of the Name was without basis in law,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Oireachtas |first1=Houses of the |title=Genealogy and Heraldry Bill 2006: Second Stage. – Seanad Éireann (22nd Seanad) – Tuesday, 12 Dec 2006 – Houses of the Oireachtas |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/seanad/2006-12-12/speech/94/ |website=www.oireachtas.ie |language=en-ie |date=12 December 2006}}</ref> the practice of courtesy recognition was abandoned in July 2003.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Burns |first1=John |title=Irish chieftains lose their crowns |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/irish-chieftains-lose-their-crowns-b05x2xn9kkp |work=Sunday Times |date=27 July 2003 |language=en}}</ref>
 ==Questions over legal status of the office==
-Due reportedly to uncertainty concerning the legal validity of grants of arms in the Republic of Ireland, the post of Chief Herald remained vacant from September 2003 until August 2005. It had been assumed that the prerogatives of the British Crown, including the power to grant arms, had been inherited after Irish independence in 1922.
+Due reportedly to uncertainty concerning the legal validity of grants of arms in Ireland, the post of Chief Herald remained vacant from September 2003 until August 2005. It had been assumed that the prerogatives of the British Crown, including the power to grant arms, had been inherited after Irish independence in 1922.
 While many functions had passed under the [[Irish Free State (Agreement) Act 1922]] to the then [[Provisional Government of the Irish Free State]] in April 1922, the pre-existing office of the Ulster King of Arms continued unchanged until 1943.
-In May 2005 the government enacted section 13 of the [[National Cultural Institutions Act 1997]].<ref>[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1997/en/act/pub/0011/sec0013.html#sec13 Section 13 text online]</ref> This enables the Board of the National Library to "designate a member of its staff to perform the duty of researching, granting and confirming coats of arms and such member shall use the appellation Chief Herald of Ireland or, in the Irish language, Príomh-Aralt na hÉireann, while performing such duties".<ref>[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1997/en/act/pub/0011/sec0013.html National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997, section 13 (Irish Statute Book), accessed 25 October 2007]</ref> While this was intended to legitimise the granting of arms in Ireland, it actually initiated a debate as to whether any grants made since 1943 were valid.<ref>[http://homepage.eircom.net/%257Eseanjmurphy/chiefs/armscrisis.htm ''An Irish Arms Crisis'', Sean J Murphy, accessed 25 October 2007]</ref> These would include the 1945 grant of the [[coat of arms of Ireland]] to the state itself.
+In May 2005 the government enacted section 13 of the [[National Cultural Institutions Act 1997]].<ref>[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1997/en/act/pub/0011/sec0013.html#sec13 Section 13 text online]</ref> This enables the Board of the National Library to "designate a member of its staff to perform the duty of researching, granting and confirming coats of arms and such member shall use the appellation Chief Herald of Ireland or, in the Irish language, Príomh-Aralt na hÉireann, while performing such duties".<ref>[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1997/en/act/pub/0011/sec0013.html National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997, section 13 (Irish Statute Book), accessed 25 October 2007]</ref> While this was intended to legitimise the granting of arms in Ireland, it actually initiated a debate as to whether any grants made since 1943 were valid.<ref>[http://homepage.eircom.net/%257Eseanjmurphy/chiefs/armscrisis.htm ''An Irish Arms Crisis'', Sean J. Murphy, accessed 25 October 2007]</ref> These would include the 1945 grant of the [[coat of arms of Ireland]] to the state itself.
 In May 2006 the [[Genealogy and Heraldry Bill, 2006|Genealogy & Heraldry Bill]]<ref name= "oireachtas">[http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/bills28/bills/2006/2306/b2306s.pdf Genealogy & Heraldry Bill], 2006.</ref> was introduced into [[Seanad Éireann]] to reform the Office and provide a firm legal basis for grants and confirmations of arms.
-The Bill was withdrawn on 12 December 2006 with consent of the sponsoring senator, and was referred to the board of the [[National Library]] for consideration by John O'Donoghue, the then Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism.<ref>Parliamentary Debates (Official Report – Unrevised) Seanad Éireann Tuesday, 12 December 2006 [http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=SEN20061212.xml&Page=1&Cp=H8#H8]</ref>
+The Bill was withdrawn on 12 December 2006 with the consent of the sponsoring senator and was referred to the board of the [[National Library]] for consideration by John O'Donoghue, the then Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism.<ref>Parliamentary Debates (Official Report – Unrevised) Seanad Éireann Tuesday, 12 December 2006 [http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=SEN20061212.xml&Page=1&Cp=H8#H8]</ref>
 In September 2007 a notice was added to the National Library website noting the suspension of grants of arms until the legal situation was clarified. Following the receipt of legal advice, the Board of the National Library was "satisfied that it can exercise the heraldic powers conferred on it by the 1997 Act", and grants are again being made.
@@ Line 71: / Line 86: @@
 The Board did, however, note that "doubts exist regarding the legal basis of heraldic functions exercised in the State prior to the establishment of the Board" and that "with minor amendment, the wording of the Act could be made more succinct".<ref>[http://www.nli.ie/GetAttachment.aspx?id=abd15b49-1b33-44bb-a4b2-9278a2befc0c Press Release, Board of the National Library of Ireland, 24 October 2007]</ref>
-While the issue of the legality of grants of arms by the Chief Herald have been resolved, no penalties or jurisdiction have yet been legislated for to discourage anyone from designing and using a new coat of arms. Such self-designed arms would be protected by the current [[copyright law of Ireland]].
+While the issue of the legality of grants of arms by the Chief Herald has been resolved, no penalties or jurisdiction have yet been legislated for to discourage anyone from designing and using a new coat of arms. The specific emblazonments of self-designed arms may be protected by the current [[copyright law of Ireland]].
 ==Chief Heralds==
-* [[Edward McLysaght]] (1943–54)
+* [[Edward McLysaght]] (1943–54)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lysaght |first1=Charles |title=MacLysaght, Edward Anthony Edgeworth |url=https://www.dib.ie/biography/maclysaght-edward-anthony-edgeworth-a5251 |website=Dictionary of Irish Biography |doi=10.3318/dib.005251.v1 |date=1 October 2009}}</ref>
-* [[Gerard Slevin]] (1954–81)
+* [[Gerard Slevin]] (1954–81)<ref>{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Lawrence William |title=Slevin, ( John) Gerard |url=https://www.dib.ie/biography/slevin-john-gerard-a8122 |website=Dictionary of Irish Biography |doi=10.3318/dib.008122.v1 |date=1 October 2009}}</ref>
-* Donal Begley (1981–95)
+* Donal Begley (1981–95)<ref>{{cite news |title=BEGLEY, Donal: Death |url=https://notices.irishtimes.com/death/begley-donal/60569409 |access-date=19 August 2024 |work=Irish Times Family Notices}}</ref>
-* Patricia Donlon (1995–97)
+* Patricia Donlon (1995–97)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Logue |first1=Antonia |title=Arms and the woman |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/arms-and-the-woman-1.28059 |access-date=19 August 2024 |work=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref>
-* Brendan O Donoghue (1997–2003)
+* Brendan O Donoghue (1997–2003)<ref>{{cite news |title=Brendan O’Donoghue obituary: a cultural influence |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/brendan-o-donoghue-obituary-a-cultural-influence-1.4017166 |work=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref>
-* Post vacant 2003–05
+* Post vacant 2003–05<ref>{{cite web |last1=Oireachtas |first1=Houses of the |title=Genealogy and Heraldry Bill 2006: Second Stage. – Seanad Éireann (22nd Seanad) – Tuesday, 12 Dec 2006 – Houses of the Oireachtas |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/seanad/2006-12-12/speech/117/ |website=www.oireachtas.ie |language=en-ie |date=12 December 2006}}</ref>
-* Fergus Gillespie (2005–2009)
+* Fergus Gillespie (2005–2009)<ref>{{cite web |title=I'm not sure genealogy is to be recommended: skeletons can fall out of family cupboards |url=https://www.independent.ie/life/im-not-sure-genealogy-is-to-be-recommended-skeletons-can-fall-out-of-family-cupboards/26584074.html |website=Irish Independent |language=en |date=21 November 2009}}</ref>
 * Collette Byrne (2009–2010)
+* Colette O'Flaherty (2010–)<ref>{{cite news |title=Colette O’Flaherty: Chief Herald of Ireland |url=https://www.businesspost.ie/more-life-arts/colette-oflaherty-chief-herald-of-ireland/ |work=www.businesspost.ie}}</ref>
-* Colette O'Flaherty (2010–)
 ==Costs of granting and preparing arms==
@@ Line 92: / Line 108: @@
 * Schools, clubs, professional associations and other non-profit organizations €8,600
-The sum of €400 is payable when lodging the application; half of the remaining fee is payable when work on the design begins; and the balance must be paid before work on the actual grant of arms is put in hand by the Herald Painter.
+The sum of €400 is payable when lodging the application; half of the remaining fee is payable when work on the design begins, and the balance must be paid before work on the actual grant of arms is put in hand by the Herald Painter.
-==References==
+==Further reading==
+* {{cite book|last=Cox|first=Noel|title=Constitutional Paradigms and the Stability of States |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TUY3DAAAQBAJ&pg=PA163|year=2016|publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781317161653 |pages=163–187 |chapter=6.4 Constitutions in liberal states – a change of ''Grundnorm'': Ireland }}
+*[[Noel Cox|Cox, Noel]] (2007). “The Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland and continuity of legal authority”. Dublin University Law Journal 29:84-110
+* {{cite book|last=Hood|first=Susan|title=Royal Roots, Republican Inheritance: The Survival of the Office of Arms|year=2002|publisher=Woodfield Press|isbn=9780953429332}}
-===Citations===
+==Notes==
-{{Reflist}}
+{{notelist}}
-===Sources===
+==References==
+{{Reflist}}
-* {{cite book|last=Cox|first=Noel|title=Constitutional Paradigms and the Stability of States |chapterurl=https://books.google.com/books?id=TUY3DAAAQBAJ&pg=PA163|year=2016|publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781317161653 |pages=163–187 |chapter=6.4 Constitutions in liberal states – a change of ''Grundnorm'': Ireland }}
-* {{cite book|last=Hood|first=Susan|title=Royal Roots, Republican Inheritance: The Survival of the Office of Arms|year=2002|publisher=Woodfield Press|isbn=9780953429332}}
 ==External links==
-*[http://www.nli.ie/en/intro/heraldry-introduction.aspx Chief Herald of Ireland]
+*[https://www.nli.ie/office-chief-herald Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland]
 *[http://homepage.eircom.net/~seanjmurphy/chiefs/armscrisis.htm ''An Irish Arms Crisis''] — Critical essay on status of the Office of the Chief Herald.
 *[http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/bills28/bills/2006/2306/b2306s.pdf Full text and explanatory memorandum] of Genealogy & Heraldry Bill, 2006.
 {{Irish genealogy}}
+{{Heraldic Authorities}}
 [[Category:Heraldic authorities]]

v t e Gaelic Irish genealogy
General	Irish clans (list) Pre-Norman invasion Irish Celtic kinship groups Irish annals Irish bardic poetry Fili Ollamh Seanchaí Gaelic nobility of Ireland Chief of the Name Irish heraldry Irish diaspora Genealogical Society of Ireland Genealogical Office National Archives of Ireland Clans of Ireland Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains
Works	Chronicle of Ireland Triallam timcheall na Fodla Tuilleadh feasa ar Éirinn óigh Leabhar Adhamh Ó Cianáin Leabhar Cloinne Maoil Ruanaidh Leabhar Ua Maine Leabhar na nGenealach Ó Cléirigh Book of Genealogies An Leabhar Muimhneach Annals of the Four Masters Griffith's Valuation Census of Ireland, 1901 Census of Ireland, 1911
Genealogists	Seán Mór Ó Dubhagáin Giolla na Naomh Ó hUidhrín Adhamh Ó Cianáin Faolán Mac an Ghabhann na Scéal Cú Choigcríche Ó Cléirigh Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh James Ware Geoffrey Keating James Terry Chevalier O'Gorman John O'Hart Rev. Patrick Woulfe Edward MacLysaght
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