Ó hUigín, Tiarna Baile an Arrough
The O'Higgins of Ballynary
The Hon. Thomas O'Higgins NSC, Lord of Ballynary, Chieftain 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 family, Kings of Connacht.They were also under the patronage of The MacDonaghs of Tirerill, The MacDermotts of Moylurg and The O'Dohertys of Inishowen.
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 English Monarch.
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.
During these times and later during the Cromwellian (1653) and Williamite (1689) intrusions into Ireland, the O'Higgins remained loyal to their Gaelic traditions and Catholic faith and consequently lost their position and influence under English rule. Despite loosing their lands and transplantation from Sligo to Meath between 1654 and 1722, the O'Higgins of Ballynary have maintained their heritage and the succession of their family title to the present day. In 1788 the then Ulster King of Arms confirmed this family as armigerous and as such this branch of the family is believed to be the most senior line of the O'Higgins to have survived in modern times. The most senior male in this line is Thomas O'Higgins now living in Cheshire, England who is the 8th great grandson of Shean Duff O'Higgins the last recorded Lord of Ballynary from Gaelic times.
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'Mara, who is descended from Alfonsi DuPrat a French Surgeon General. After moving to England in 1956 he served in the British Army in Germany and the Outer Hebrides before pursueing a long career as a field engineer. Now retired Chief Thomas enjoys working in his garden, visiting with family in Ireland and supporting when his schedule allows the activities of the O'Higgins Clan.
Although he never sought such recognition himself, in 2005 he was acclaimed as Honoury Chieftain of the O'Higgins and upon the initiative of his Clan he was admitted to the Noble Society of Celts as a hereditary member and later in 2006 he was admitted to the Manorial Society of Great Britain. As a committed democrat his 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 history and as such he is concerned that it be maintained and passed on so that the story of the O'Higgins' commitment under fire can be continued to be honoured in the future.
