Inaugaration

Gairm Uí Dubhda: Inauguration of O’Dubhda

The O’Dubhda clan is particularly fortunate that the ceremonies associated with the installation of the chief were recorded in the Great Book of Lecan and have survived, being noted by generations of historians.

Election

According to Brehon Law, a chief was succeeded by the oldest and most worthy descendant of the direct line of the original chieftain—Fiachra Ealgach, in the case of the O’Dubhda. Several conditions had to be met by the candidate:

He had to be a descendant of the blood of the original chief.
He must be free of defects or deformities.
He must be of age to lead the clan in battle.
He had to have the support of the majority of the clan’s sub-chieftains and freeholders.

It was unusual for a son to succeed his father, and some chiefs did not have the support of all their clansmen—a situation referred to as “Chief, with opposition.”

Inauguration

Every clan had a designated place for the installation of its chief. The O’Dubhda had two such sites—Carn Amhalgaidh in Tír Amhalgaidh (Mayo) and Carn Inghine Briain in Tír Fhíacrach (Sligo). At these locations, a stone bore the imprint of two feet, reputedly those of the original chief (Fiachra Ealgach). The presence of two sites could be due to the civil war between the Sliocht Ruairi and Sliocht Bui in the 15th century, a geis (taboo) about crossing the River Moy in ancient times, or the forced reduction of O’Dubhda lands, leaving only Tír Fhíacrach.

Ceremony

The hereditary historian, MacFirbis, would read to the Taoiseach-elect the laws relating to his conduct. The Taoiseach-elect, after listening, would swear to observe the laws and customs of the territory.
After taking the oath, the Taoiseach-elect would set aside his weapons. The Brehon would pass a white rod over the chieftain’s head and then hand it to him, symbolizing his authority and the expectation that he required no weapons to ensure the loyalty of his people. The O’Dubhda’s weapons and battledress were given to O’Caoimhin, the senior sub-chieftain and hereditary marshal of the army of Tír Fhíacrach, while O’Caoimhin’s battledress and weapons were given to MacFirbis, emphasizing their shared lineage from Fiachra.
The new chief was proclaimed by having his name shouted by those present, starting with O’Caoimhin and MacFirbis. Others would join in according to their rank, until the whole countryside reverberated with the cry, “O’Dubhda! O’Dubhda!”
Finally, the chief turned sunwise three times to view his people and his territory. After the arrival of Christianity, this was said to honor the Holy Trinity.

Banquet

In Christian times, the formal ritual was followed by the celebration of Mass and then a banquet. At the feast, “the privilege of first drinking was given to O’Caoimhin by O’Dubhda, and O’Caoimhin was not to drink until he first presented it to the poet, MacFirbisigh.” (Great Book of Lecan) This honored the marshal and historian, emphasized their royal lineage, and served as a security measure to prevent the chief from being poisoned.

Tánaiste

It was not unusual to choose a Tánaiste, or heir, at the same time as the chief was elected. This was a precaution against instability in troubled times, ensuring the clan would not be left leaderless. The Tánaiste did not undergo the full inauguration ceremony but was required to take the oath with one foot on the inauguration stone.

The inauguration of a chief was a solemn and precise event. Any deviation from tradition could have serious consequences. As recorded in The Great Book of Lecan:

“And every king of the race of Fiachra that shall not be thus nominated, he shall have shortness of life, and his race or generation shall not be illustrious, and he shall never see the kingdom of God. Finit. Amen.”

Sources:

K. Simms, From Kings to Warlords

J. O’Donovan, Tribes and Customs of the Hy Fiachrach

C. MacHale, O’Dubhda Family History