The Old Irish word 'rígdomna' means heir-apparent (lit. 'material of a king'). However this noscript was not a guarantee of election as king, hence the superior noscript of 'tánaise ríg': "one whom the whole tribe looks forward for the kingship without dispute."

IRA Commandant General Tom Maguire was born #OnThisDay in 1892. He was the last surviving TD of the 2nd All-Ireland Dáil Éireann, who refused to recognise the two partition parliaments established in Ireland by Westminster to subvert the National Parliament.

Irish kingship was both ancient & sacred: A king was responsible not only for material prosperity, but the spiritual health of his people.

The early Irish king embodied qualities of excellence (febas); these were not just martial qualities but moral ones bound to good judgement.

On the four modes of kingship in Gaelic Ireland - from the admirable true ruler (fírfhlaith), to the tyrannical bull-ruler (tarbfhlaith).

Cormac mac Airt was the greatest of the Irish pre-Christian monarchs. A philosopher, warrior, & judge, he finds an equal only in Brian Boru.

The 'Teagasc na Riogh' is a book of kingly instruction written by high king Cormac mac Airt. It forms a dialogue between himself & his son:

High king Cormac Mac Airt on the governance of a true nation.

Family, tradition, moral virtue, defense of the people are central:

Monastic ruins of Clonmacnoise - Ireland's 'Valley of the Kings'.

The historical burial place of the high kings of Tara and Connacht.

Niall of the Nine was Ireland's Alexander the Great - Nine hostages from Scots, Saxons, Brits & Franks were paid to him, such was his power.

Up to 3 million men could be descended from Niall of the Nine Hostages, medieval Irish king of the O'Neill dynasty: https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn8600-medieval-irish-warlord-boasts-three-million-descendants/

Irish Kingship ritual - Shows the sacrifice of a white mare & preparation of stew by a tribe of Ulstermen, c. 1220.

The Irish king was expected to have fir flathemon (truth of the ruler); to be righteous, come from high ancestry & capable of heroic action.

Morann macMáin was a legendary judge who instructed ancient Irish kings.

He taught that a king's justice brought abundance, truth, morality.

To secure peace, stability, the fertility of land & women, to abstain from pointless bloodshed - Advice for Irish kings, Morann's Testament:

Irish kings or chiefs (rí, lords): a white wand, the “rod of kingship” rather than a crown, was the symbol of legitimate authority. Inaugurated outdoors under sacred trees or stones, by ollamhs (poets/seers).

14th of April 1920: British soldiers & RIC in Miltown Malbay Clare, fire into a crowd of civilians celebrating the release of Republican hunger strikers from Mountjoy. Three men are killed & several more were wounded including a 14 year old boy & a teenage girl.