The tradition of the “derbfhine” allowed the Celts to
pick their leaders from among those of their royal kin group
best qualified for the particular position, i.e. son of the
chief, grandson, brother, nephew or first cousin, and the chief
ruled with the consent of the Clan. HHG MacDonnell describes him
as "a fitting champion for the Clan." This system became known as tanistry. Julius Caesar tells us that in some continental Celtic
kingdoms, by the 2nd Century BC, kings were elected annually,
and that to aspire to the crown was an offense punishable by
death. In Ireland, succession to the high kingship was usually
hereditary within the royal derbfhine and the king often chose
his successor during his own lifetime. His heir was called the
“tanaire-righ” (second to the king), from “tanaise”
(expected
one), and from which “tanistear,” “tanister” and
“tanistry” evolved. Under the 1937 Irish Constitution, the
Deputy Prime Minister was still referred to as the “tánaiste.”
The most important factors in characterizing the Gael, and in
their government, were their hereditary awareness and their
reliance on tradition, stemming from druidic roots. The
preeminent importance of clan "seannachaidh" (historians)
was key, and the resulting loyalty of the Gael to family and
leaders was phenomenal. Innumerable examples of extraordinary
courage and personal sacrifice for the good of the Clan are
recorded. As long as the Celtic chief was selected by his
extended family as the member of the clan best suited for the
task, was dependent upon their endorsement for holding office
and held their welfare sacred as a father would to his children,
then the clan or tanistry system was successful.
In The Lordship Of The Isles, “An Comhairle Nan Eilean”
(The Council Of The Isles) assumed many of the duties of
governance. Its powers and makeup varied under the various high
chiefs but, at the height of the power of the lordship, included
the chieftains of 14 branches and vassals of the Clan. By 1549,
according to Donald Munro, Dean of the Isles, the constitution
of the Clan had evolved so that the Council was composed of four
great men of Clan Donald, the chief of Clanranald, MacIain of
Ardnamurchan, MacDonald of Kintyre, and the High Chief, Alasdair
Carrach of Lochaber, Garrach and Keppoch. The four nobles were
MacLean of Duart, MacLaine of Loch Buie, MacLeod of Harris and
MacLeod of Lewis. There were four thanes, MacKinnon, MacNeil of
Barra, MacNeil of Gigha, and one other. The Council was also
attended by the Abbot of Iona and the Bishop of the Isles. Clan
Donald was, in effect, a constitutional monarchy and MacMhurich
describes that constitution:
“The constitution or government of the Isles was thus: MacDonald had his council at island Finlaggan, in Isla, to the number of sixteen, viz, four Thanes, four Armins - that is to say, Lords or sub-Thanes - four Bastards (i.e., Squires), or men of competent estates, who could not come up with Armins or Thanes - that is freeholders - or men that had their lands in factory, as MacGee of the Rinds of Isla, MacNicoll in Portree in Skye, and MacEachern, Mackay, and MacGillevray in Mull, MacIllemhaoel or Macmillan, etc. There was a table of stone on which MacDonald sat, were carried away by Argyll with the bells that were at Icolum-kill. Moreover, there was a judge in every Isle for the discussion of all controversies, who had lands from MacDonald for their trouble, and likewise the eleventh part of every action decided. But there might still be an appeal to the Council of the Isles.”
The MhiccDubhshithe (MacDuffies or MacFies) were the hereditary record keepers of the Council of the Isles, but whatever records they kept were lost or destroyed during the troubles following the forfeiture of the Lordship in 1493. The Council acted as a court of appeal within the Clan. It also dealt with matters of family policy such as the succession, dynastic marriages, tutelage and sometimes defense. According to MacMhuirich:
“MacFinnon was obliged to see weights and measures adjusted; and MacDuffie or Macphie of Colonsay, kept the records of the Isles.”
Later, in the Carolina colonies in America where, in many cases, there were no towns or villages where the Gael settled, they gathered in loose communal or clannish groups called “clachans,” much as they had in Ireland, where they were called "Cummain," except that now they gathered around the kirks, or meetinghouses, rather than the clans’ holdings. Such a congregation generally included from 20 to 500 families and encompassed a five to ten mile radius around the kirk, or the distance one could travel for services and return home the same day. Anglican Bishop Woodmason, commenting on the congregation in the Waxhaws (Lancaster County, South Carolina where Andrew Jackson was born), said they were, “most surprisingly thick settled beyond any spot in England . . .” The MacDonald settlement around Cross Creek (now Fayetteville, North Carolina) was even larger, with a radius of more than twenty miles and served by several kirks. In more urban communities, such as New York or Boston, such congregational territories, or parishes, might encompass only a few blocks, but the effect was the same. Since fully one third of the population of the original thirteen American colonies were Gaelic, these traditions had a considerable impact on the form taken by the government of The United States.
And so, it would seem that there is precedent in tradition sufficient to our purpose. “Clachans” or "Cummain," may be organized wherever MacDonnell of Leinster Association members live. These then may select officers according to their needs, including a delegate to “An Comhairle Na Tighearna Coille.” This Council, made up of delegates from all the “clachans” may then write a constitution, select its various leaders and set the course for the association, all within the framework of “Ar Cúis.”Loch Finlagan (Lake Of The Calm Little Hollow) The ruins on Eilean Mhór (Big Island) are all that remain of the "Caput" (Seat) of the lords of The Isles. Eilean na Comhairle (Council Isle), where The Council Of The Isles met, is the tiny islet to the left of the ruins.
Picture courtesy of Martin Junius, © Copyright 1994-2002 www.m-j-s.net/photo
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(The Constitution Of Forest Manor)
