Taoiseach na hUigínn
Chief of the O'Higgins
Although the O'Higgins are descendents of Niall, High King of Ireland who ruled at the end of the 4th Century, the O’Higgins were never themselves Kings. Instead they evolved into an aristocratic caste of highly respected professional hereditary file or poets for the Kings of Connacht and some High Kings of Ireland and as such they formed part of the Gaelic nobility. The file held a very significant position in Gaelic society, being ranked only second to the King himself in terms of social status. In this context it seems that the main family of the O’Higgins who were located in southern Sligo from around the 12th to the 17th century provided several Chief Poets of Ireland and were closely associated with their patrons who were The O'Conor Don, Kings of Connacht, The MacDonagh of Tirerill, the MacDermott of Moylurg and the The O'Doherty of Insihowen.
The Chief of a family or sept in early Gaelic times was appointed through a
system known as tanistry which allowed a successor or Tanist (Tánaiste) to
be chosen/elected from within a close circle of men related to an existing
Chief. However, after the Norman invasion into Ireland in the 12th century the
situation became somewhat complex with some Gaelic Chiefs accepting additional
titles from the monarch of England. These new titles were passed through the
senior male line as was customery in England and France. By the mid 1530's
when King Henry VIII of England attempted to extend his powers in Ireland the
custom of tanistry had almost been eradicated among some clans while others
continued to follow the Galeic system such as the O'Neill Lordship of Tír
Eoghain in Ulster.
There has been in recent times continued disagreement about whether the holder of Chiefly designations today should be decided by tanistry or primogeniture. Some recent genealogical and heraldic scholars now seem to favour primogeniture as the most practical system while some of the current Gaelic Chiefs and clan societies favour the system of tanistry. The modern O'Higgins Clan recognises the Ballynary line as the most senior line of the O'Higgins and as such its head as titular Chief of the O'Higgins. This should not be confused with the title "Chief of the Name" which was previously awarded as a courtesy by the Chief Herald of Ireland and is no longer validated under Irish Law.
During the Cromwellian (1653) and Williamite (1689) intrusions into Ireland, the O'Higgins remained loyal to their Gaelic traditions and consequently lost their position and influence under English rule in Ireland. Despite loosing their lands and transplantation from Sligo to Meath between 1654 and 1720, the O'Higgins of Ballynary have maintained the heritage of their family to the present day. The Ballynary line today is represented by Thomas O'Higgins now living in Cheshire, England.
Thomas O'Higgins of Ballynary, Chief of Clan O'Higgins
Chief Thomas spent his early life at his family home in Dublin and also spent time at his family seat in Summerhill, Co. Meath. He married the former Oonagh O'Meara, who is descended from Alfonsi DuPrat a 19th century Surgeon General in the French military. After moving to England in 1956 Chief Thomas served in the British Army in Germany and the Outer Hebrides before pursueing a long career as a field engineer. Although he never sought such recognition himself, in 2005 he was acclaimed by his clan as titular Chieftain of the O'Higgins. A committed democrat his titular style as Lord of Ballynary is something he carries with some discomfiture. However, at the same time, he also sees the designation as a perceptible connection with his Clan's heritage.
Illustrated Arms from families connected with O'Higgins of Ballynary. (Courtesy of Eddie Geoghan).