O'Doherty family

The Doherty Clan (Irish: Ó Dochartaigh) is an Irish clan (Irish: Clann) based in County Donegal in the north of island of Ireland.

Like clans in other cultures, Irish clans such as the Dohertys are divided into many septs and regional families, and in the modern day there are 140 noted variations in spelling of the name, of which Doherty is the most modern anglicisation.

The Dohertys claim to have been named after Dochartach, the 12th in linear decent from Conall Gulban (d. AD 464), the son of the famous Niall of the Nine Hostages (Irish: Niall Noigíallach) the 5th Century High King of Ireland believed to be responsible for the kidnapping of St. Patrick, and namesake of the powerful tribe O’ Neil (Uí Néill). Through Niall the Dohertys can trace their heritage back even further making a claim as one of Europe’s longest decent lines. The origins of the family however, as with the Irish people and their ancestors the Gaels, is obscured by Celtic mythology and folk tales.

The Chiefs of the Name, elected by tanistry under the Brehon Laws, were called the Lords of Inishowen as they were the principal rulers in the northernmost peninsula of the island of Ireland.

In 1608, the chief of the Dohertys, Sir Cahir O’ Doherty, rose up against English domination in Ireland and the plantation of protestant settlers in what is known as O’ Doherty’s Rebellion. He and his followers managed to attack Derry and burn several castles before ultimately being defeated. After this loss Cahir was killed and family lost much of its power and influence. By 1784 the leading branch of the family fled the country. The chiefs have been absent from Ireland even since.

During the 1990s when the Irish government offered some limited recognition to the chiefs of the most ancient clans, the chieftainship of the Doherty’s was claimed by Ramon O' Dogherty of Spain.

After a scandal involving bogus claims of Terrence McCarthy, to be the chief of that clan, the status of the chiefs in Ireland is now uncertain.

Today there are Doherty families in many part of Ireland, and the Dohertys are an important part of the Irish diaspora. To this end the family continues on as a voluntary organisation involved in history, genealogy, operates a bed and breakfast on the northern tip of Inishowen, and hosts regular family reunions.

References

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