The earliest known kingdoms or tribes in Ireland are referred to in Ptolemy's Geography, written in the 2nd century. He names the Vennicni, Rhobogdi, Erdini, Magnatae, Autini, Gangani, Vellabori, Darini, Volunti, Eblani, Cauci, Menapii, Coriondi and Brigantes tribes and kingdoms. A monarchy, (from the Greek monos, one, and archein, to rule) is a form of government that has a monarch as Head of State. ... This article is on the social structure. ... Claudius Ptolemaeus, given contemporary German styling, in a 16th century engraved book frontispiece. ... // Events Roman Empire governed by the Five Good Emperors (96–180) – Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius. ... The Menapii were a Belgic tribe of north-eastern Gaul in the 1st century BC, dwelling around the Rhine estuary, and extending inland towards the Ardennes. ... The Brigantes were a British Celtic tribe which lived between Tyne and Humber. ...

Irish medieval pseudohistory gives a seemingly idealized division of kingdoms. The island is divided into "fifths" (Old Irish cóiceda, Modern Irish cúige). There is Ulaid (Ulster) in the north, Cóiced Ol nEchmacht (Connacht) in the west, Mumha or Mhumhain (Munster) in the south, and Laighin (Leinster) in the east. They all surround the central kingdom of Míde (whose name has survived in the modern counties Meath and Westmeath). Each of the outer four fifths had their own king, with the High King of Ireland ruling over them from Tara in Míde. The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times. ... Pseudohistory describes claims about the past, which purport to be historic or supported by archeology, but which depart from standard practices of historical method and historiography to reach conclusions outside the domain of mainstream history. ... The Ulaid, also known as the Ulaidh and the Ulad, are a people of Early Ireland who gave their name to the Irish Province of Ulster. ... Ulster (Irish: Cúige Uladh, IPA: ) is one of the four provinces of Ireland. ... Cóiced Ol nEchmacht, ancient name for the province of Connacht, Ireland. ... Connaught redirects here. ... Munster (Irish: An Mhumhain, IPA: ) is the southernmost province of Ireland, comprising the counties of Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford. ... Leinster (IPA: ; Irish: Laighin or Laigin, IPA: ), one of the Provinces of Ireland, lies in the east of Ireland and comprises the counties of Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow. ... Meath (An Mhí in Irish) is a county in the Republic of Ireland, the county is often informally called The Royal County. ... County Westmeath (Irish: An Iarmhí) is a county situated in the Irish Midlands, in the western part of the province of Leinster. ... Although the traditional list of those bearing the title High King of Ireland (Irish: Ard Rí Éirinn) goes back thousands of years, into the second millennium BC, most scholars believe that the earlier parts of the list, at least, are largely mythical. ... The Hill of Tara, located near the River Boyne, is today a mound in County Meath, Leinster, Ireland, on which the grass has veiled the rich heritage of the country. ...

In historical times Míde disappeared as a province. The four remaining fifths contained large numbers of tuatha or sub-kingdoms, constantly shifting as old dynasties died and new ones formed. Some known from historical sources are:

Ulster

Earliest times

• Darini, in Tyrone, Armagh and Down, possibly a branch of the Érainn and linked with their supposed ancestor deity Dáire
• Erdini in County Fermanagh
• Robogdii, in Antrim and Londonderry, possibly related to the later Dál Riata
• Venicnii in County Donegal
• Voluntii, probably the people later known as the Ulaid, in Armagh, Down, Monaghan and Cavan

This article is about County Tyrone. ... County Armagh (Contae Ard Mhacha in Irish) is a county in Ulster, Ireland. ... County Down, (An Dún in Irish) is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland, covering an area of 2,448 km² (945 square miles). ... The Iverni, later Érainn, were an ancient people of Ireland attested in Ptolemys 2nd century Geography. ... County Fermanagh (Contae Fhear Manach or Fear Manach in Irish), is the westernmost of the six counties that form Northern Ireland. ... County Antrim ( in [Gaelic) is one of the six Irish counties that form Northern Ireland. ... County Londonderry or County Derry (Contae Dhoire or Doire in Irish) is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland, in the province of Ulster. ... Dalriada or Dál Riata was the kingdom of the Scotti, who spread from the Kingdom of Oriel to Argyll and eventually gave their name to Scotland. ... County Donegal (Irish: Contae Dhún na nGall) is a county in the northwest of Ireland. ... The Ulaid, also known as the Ulaidh and the Ulad, are a people of Early Ireland who gave their name to the Irish Province of Ulster. ... County Armagh (Contae Ard Mhacha in Irish) is a county in Ulster, Ireland. ... County Down, (An Dún in Irish) is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland, covering an area of 2,448 km² (945 square miles). ... Monaghan (Irish: Contae Muineachán) is a county in the Republic of Ireland. ... County Cavan (Irish: Contae an Chabháin) is a county in the Republic of Ireland. ...

Early Christian

• Airgialla or Oirghialla or Oriel
• Airthir
• Cairpre Droma Cliab
• Cenél Conaill (Tir Chonaill)
• Cenél nEogain (Tir Eogain)
• Conaille Muirtheimne
• Cruithne
• Cuib
• Dál nAraide
• Dál Fiatach
• Dál Riata
• Dartraige
• Eilne
• Uí Echach Coba
• Northern Uí Néill
• Ulaid

Oriel (dervied from Irish orgialla meaning hostage of gold; also Airgialla, Uriel, Orgialla, Orgiall, Oryallia, Ergallia) was an ancient Irish kingdom. ... Oriel (dervied from Irish orgialla meaning hostage of gold; also Airgialla, Uriel, Orgialla, Orgiall, Oryallia, Ergallia) was an ancient Irish kingdom. ... Oriel (dervied from Irish orgialla meaning hostage of gold; also Airgialla, Uriel, Orgialla, Orgiall, Oryallia, Ergallia) was an ancient Irish kingdom. ... The Cenél Conaill is the name of the kindred or descendants of Conall Gulban, son of Niall Noígiallach who founded the kingdom of Tír Conaill in the 5th century. ... The Cruithne or Cruthin were a historical people known to have lived in Ireland, particularly in Ulster, in early medieval times. ... Dalriada or Dál Riata was the kingdom of the Scotti, who spread from the Kingdom of Oriel to Argyll and eventually gave their name to Scotland. ... The Uí Néill (Irish for of the grandson (descendant) of Niall) were an Irish dynasty who claimed descent from Niall Noigiallach (Niall of the Nine Hostages), a semi-historical High King of Ireland who died about 405. ... The Ulaid, also known as the Ulaidh and the Ulad, are a people of Early Ireland who gave their name to the Irish Province of Ulster. ...

Meath

Earliest times

• Ebdani, Eblani or Blanii (probably variants of the same name)

Early Christian

• Cianachta
• Southern Uí Néill

The Uí Néill (Irish for of the grandson (descendant) of Niall) were an Irish dynasty who claimed descent from Niall Noigiallach (Niall of the Nine Hostages), a semi-historical High King of Ireland who died about 405. ...

Leinster

Earliest times

• Brigantes in south Wexford, also known from northern Britain; possibly linked with the goddess Brigit
• Cauci around Dublin
• Coriondi north Wexford, possibly related to the British Coritani
• Menapii in County Wicklow, also known from Gaul; their name is linked to Fermanagh and Monaghan, although they are much further north

The Brigantes were a British Celtic tribe which lived between Tyne and Humber. ... County Wexford (Contae Loch Garman in Irish) is a maritime county in the southeast of Ireland, in the province of Leinster. ... Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture A goddess is a female deity, in contrast with a male deity known as a god. A great many cultures have goddesses, sometimes alone, but more often as part of a larger pantheon that includes both of the conventional genders and in some cases... In Irish mythology, Brigid or Brighid (exalted one) was the daughter of Dagda (and therefore one of the Tuatha de Danaan) and wife of Bres of the Fomorians. ... Dublin (Irish: Baile Átha Cliath) is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Ireland, located near the midpoint of Irelands east coast, at the mouth of the River Liffey and at the centre of the Dublin Region. ... County Wexford (Contae Loch Garman in Irish) is a maritime county in the southeast of Ireland, in the province of Leinster. ... The Coritani, or Corieltauvi, were one of the Celtic tribes living in the British Islands, previous to the Roman invasion of Britain. ... The Menapii were a Belgic tribe of north-eastern Gaul in the 1st century BC, dwelling around the Rhine estuary, and extending inland towards the Ardennes. ... County Wicklow (Contae Chill Mhantáin in Irish) is a county on the east coast of Ireland, immediately south of Dublin. ... Map of Gaul circa 58 BC Gaul (from Latin Gallia, c. ... County Fermanagh (Contae Fhear Manach or Fear Manach in Irish), is the westernmost of the six counties that form Northern Ireland. ... Monaghan (Irish: Contae Muineachán) is a county in the Republic of Ireland. ...

Early Christian

• (To be added)

Munster

Earliest times

• Gangani or Concani in Counties Limerick and Clare; also lived in Wales - Ptolemy calls the Lleyn Peninsula the "Promontory of the Gangani"
• Iverni in County Cork, later known as the Érainn
• Luceni in Counties Kerry and Limerick
• Usdiae, Udiae or Vodiae in Counties Waterford and Cork, possibly related to the later Osraige
• Uterni in County Cork
• Vellabori or Velabri in County Kerry

Limerick (Luimneach in Irish) is an Irish county in the province of Munster, located in the Mid-west of Ireland with County Clare to the north, County Cork to the south and County Kerry to the west. ... County Clare (Contae an Chláir in Irish) is in the Irish province of Munster. ... For an explanation of often confusing terms such as Great Britain, Britain, United Kingdom and England, see British Isles (terminology). ... Claudius Ptolemaeus, given contemporary German styling, in a 16th century engraved book frontispiece. ... The Lleyn peninsula also known by its Welsh name of the LlÅ·n extends from north west Wales. ... The Iverni, later Érainn, were an ancient people of Ireland attested in Ptolemys 2nd century Geography. ... County Cork (Contae Chorcaí in Irish) is the most southwesterly and the largest of the modern counties of Ireland. ... The Iverni, later Érainn, were an ancient people of Ireland attested in Ptolemys 2nd century Geography. ... County Kerry (Irish: Contae Chiarraí) is a county in the southwest of Ireland, in the Munster province of the Republic of Ireland, informally referred to as The Kingdom. ... Limerick (Luimneach in Irish) is an Irish county in the province of Munster, located in the Mid-west of Ireland with County Clare to the north, County Cork to the south and County Kerry to the west. ... County Waterford (Port Láirge in Irish) is a county in the province of Munster on the south coast of Ireland. ... County Cork (Contae Chorcaí in Irish) is the most southwesterly and the largest of the modern counties of Ireland. ... County Cork (Contae Chorcaí in Irish) is the most southwesterly and the largest of the modern counties of Ireland. ... County Kerry (Irish: Contae Chiarraí) is a county in the southwest of Ireland, in the Munster province of the Republic of Ireland, informally referred to as The Kingdom. ...

Early Christian

• Builg
• Corcu Duibhne
• Corcu Loígde
• Déisi
• Éoganacht
• Érainn
• Osraige

Builg is the name given to a hypothetical ancient people believed by some to have lived in south-eastern Ireland, around the modern city of Cork. ... The Déisi was a term used to describe a class of peoples in aincent Ireland. ... The Éoganacht (or Eoghanacht), by tradition founded by Éogan, king of Munster, was an Irish dynasty centred around Cashel which dominated southern Ireland from the 5th to the 16th century. ... The Iverni, later Érainn, were an ancient people of Ireland attested in Ptolemys 2nd century Geography. ...

Connacht

Earliest times

• Auteini in County Galway, identified with the later Uaithne
• Nagnatae in County Mayo, possibly linked with the Ol nÉcmacht; Cóiced Ol nEchmacht was an ancient name for Connacht.

County Galway (Contae na Gaillimhe in Irish) is located on the west coast of Ireland. ... In Celtic mythology, Uaithne is the harpist who plays the magical harp of the The Dagda. ... The Nagnatae or Nagnate were a people listed as living in the west of Ireland according to Ptolemys map of c. ... County Mayo (Irish: Contae Mhaigh Eo, the plain of the yews) is a county on the west coast of Ireland. ... Cóiced Ol nEchmacht, ancient name for the province of Connacht, Ireland. ...

Early Christian

• Aidhne or Ui Fiachrach Aidhne
• Breifne
• Conmaicne Mara
• Connachta
• Corco Moga
• Delbhna
• Delbhna Nuadat
• Delbhna Tir Dha Locha
• Fir Domnann (aka Irrus Domnann)
• Hy Briuin Ai
• Hy Diarmata
• Hy Fiachrach Aidhne
• Hy Fiachrach Fionn
• Hy Fiachrach Muaidhe
• Hy-Many
• Kinela
• Moylurg
• Muintir Murchada
• Siol Anmchada
• Siol Muirdeach
• Tir Soghain
• Uí Fiachrach
• (To be added)

Aidhne also known as, Uí Fhiachrach Aidhne, Maigh Aidhne / Maigh nAidhne (Plain (of) Aidhne) was the territory of the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne, a tuath (tribal kingdom) located in the south of what is now County Galway in the south of Connacht, Ireland. ... Ui Fiachrach Aidhne (the correct Irish spelling is Uí Fhiachrach Aidhne), a tuath (tribal kingdom) located in what is now the south of Co. ... The Conmhaicne (descendants of Con Mhac) were an ancient tribal grouping that were divided into a number of distinct branches that were found scattered around Ireland in the early medieval period. ... The Connachta were a group of dynasties who claimed descent from the three eldest sons of Eochaid Mugmedon: Brion, Ailill and Fiachrae. ... The Delbhna were a race of Ireland. ... The Delbhna Nuadat were lords of a large section of what is now County Roscommon, situated between the Suca and Shannon rivers. ... Dealbhne Thíre Dhá Loch(a) (The Dealbhne of the Two Lochs) was a tuath (a tribal kingdom) of medieval Ireland, located in Iar Connacht in the west of Co. ... Fir Domnann was an ancient Irish tribe or people located in the west of Connacht, in what is now the Erris Peninsula in County Mayo. ... Hy-Many, or Ui Maine, was one of the oldest and largest kingdoms located in Connacht, Ireland. ... 1. ... Moylurg was the name of a kingdom located in the north-east of Connaught, the western province of Ireland, from c. ... Siol Anmchada was a sub-kingdom or lordship of Hy-Many, and ruled by an off-shoot of the Ui Maine called the Sil Anmchada (the seed of Anmchadh), from whom the territory took its name. ... The Uí Fiachrach were a dynasty who originated in, and whose descendants later ruled, the coicead or fifth of Connacht (a western province of Ireland) at different times from the mid-first millennium onwards. ...

See also

• History of Ireland

The History of Ireland is the story of a large island in the north-west of Europe and is heavily influenced by the concurrent History of Britain, its larger neighbour to the east. ...

External links

• Ptolemy's Geography of Ireland