There were dozens, perhaps hundreds, of Irish Royal Families or Irish Dynastys who ruled kingdoms or territorys on the island of Ireland over the last several thousand years. While the majority were essentially just chiefs or lords of their people and territory, there were many significant dynastys, some of whom demonstratably ruled for a millenium.

Significant kingdoms known from early historical times (5th-7th centuries) included Connachta, Uí Fiachrach, Breifne, Aileach, Airgialla, Dal Riata, Uladh, Breaga, Midhe, Laigin, Osriage, Laois, Mumhain, Urmumhain, Desmumhain, Tuathamumhain, Hy-Many. Some dissapeared or were annexed, others survived as independant states well into the end of the 16th centuary and early 17th.

A small handful successfully making the transition from kingdoms to earldoms or lordships - with the same ruling dynasty - into the 17th centuary and beyond. By 1700 all had long being brought fully and firmly under the dominion of English rule, though local feeling for each area as a distinct entity lasted as least as late as the Great Famine.

At no point in Irish history was the entire island of Ireland ever ruled as a united soverign Irish kingdom or state. As was the case with the nations in what is now England, Scotland and Wales, the more powerful of the kingdoms of Ireland all reguarded themselves as fully independant entitys, in several cases even claiming utterly different racial backgrounds from neighbours; Ireland being home to races such as the Delbhna, Conmaicne Mara, Cruithne, Éoganacht, Érainn, Fir Bolg, Grecraighe, Laghin, Ulaid and a host of others. Few claimed to be homogenous, despite later attempts to make them so.

Among the best known Irish royal families are the MacDermots, O'Connors, O'Flahertys, O'Kellys and O'Malleys of Connacht; the Maguires, O'Dochertys, O'Donnells, O'Neills and O'Reillys of Ulster; the MacMurroughs, O'Brynes, O'Melaghlins, O'Mores and O'Tooles of Lenister; the MacCarthys, MacGillycuddys, O'Briens, O'Donovans and O'Sullivans of Munster. Several still have recognised clan heads or chiefs of the name alive today.

See Also

• Kings of Airgialla
• Kings of Connacht
• Kings of Hy-Many
• Kings of Lenister
• Kings of Moylurg
• Kings of Osraige
• Kings of Siol Anmchada
• Kings of Ulaidh