FAQ
WHY DO WE CALL THE THRONE "METAPHORICAL"? WOULD IT NOT WEAKEN THE ASSOCIATION'S POSITION?
The reasoning behind this is that in Gaelic Ireland, the High King never really had a "throne" or "crown". Everybody typically knew and understood who the High King was, and if a crown was necessary, he usually just used the one for the provincial or sub-kingdom that he already ruled over. The High King in the Ireland of old was too busy to be constantly sitting around on a fancy chair in some Great Hall.
WHY IS THE ASSOCIATION'S NAME IN LATIN WHEN THE ROMANS NEVER CAME TO IRELAND?
One would be correct in knowing that the long arm of Rome never made its way to Ireland with the exception of some minor trading. However, the Church definitely made its way to Ireland. High King Brian Bórumha was called "Imperator Scottorum" (Latin for "Emperor of the Gaels") by the Church, beginning with the archbishopric of Armagh. The Association is named after Brian Bórumha because he is probably the most famous High King, and one of the most powerful. No other High King of Ireland was also called Emperor of the Gaels, and such a thing may likely never come to pass again.
ISN'T THE O'CONOR DON THE RIGHTFUL HIGH KING OF IRELAND?
This is a common misconception. It stems from the false belief that The O'Conor Don descends in the male-line from High King Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair. In reality, the current O'Conor Don does not descend, in any traceable way known to us, from Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair. The O'Conor Don descends in direct male-line from Ruaidrí's youngest half-brother, Cathal Crobhderg Ua Conchobair, King of Connacht.
However, we do not seek to discredit the verifiable and respectable pedigree of The O'Conor Don, who is undoubtedly head of the O'Connor dynasty of Connacht, and he is also undisputably the rightful King of Connacht. Prince Díolún refuses to dispute the latter and cannot hope to dispute the former. Prince Díolún also greatly respects the title O'Conor Don and its current holder, Desmond Roderic O'Conor. However, The O'Conor Don is aware he is not the rightful High King and does not claim to be.
IS PRINCE DÍOLÚN A CATHOLIC OR A PROTESTANT?
Prince Díolún is a Christian, and he refused to make public whether he is a Protestant or a Catholic for some time. Anybody familiar with Irish history in the last fifty years knows exactly why he would not say. However, after much deliberation, it was decided that a stance must be made and what that stance must be. It was decided that Prince Díolún would become an Insular Christian, or more commonly known as a Celtic Christian.
However, he is quite boastful of the fact that he's read the Bible in modern English, King James English, and German, and he is currently undertaking reading the Bible in Irish Gaelic and Latin, and plans on moving onto reading it in Spanish after that.
ISN'T THE HIGH KING ELECTED?
DO WE OFFER CITIZENSHIP?
No, we do not offer citizenship of any kind. We do not have the authority to do that and even if we did, we are not a nation in and of ourselves. If you are a citizen of Ireland or Northern Ireland, then you are already a citizen.
Again, we are not our own nation and are not trying to form our own nation. We do not seek to overthrow the current Republic of Ireland. We only want to reseat the High King.
HOW MANY SUPPORTERS DO WE HAVE?
This is another common misconception. You may have read somewhere that a High King of Ireland gained that position because he was elected to it by the provincial kings of the five kingdoms (Meath, Ulster, Leinster, Connacht, and Munster).
In reality, this is again untrue. There is no basis in contemporary recorded history for this claim.
YOUR LANGUAGE RESTRICTION SUGGESTIONS SEEM HARSH. WON'T
NORTHERN IRELAND HAVE A
PROBLEM WITH THAT?
They would, actually! We are acutely aware of this matter. We do have a plan for them that is not quite so harsh but will still gradually re-gaelicise them. The plan will get its own page soon enough.
As of the day this is written (23/01/2022) our count of supporters recently skyrocketed into the low hundreds, probably around three hundred or four hundred, and we are yet growing bigger!
DOESN'T THE IRISH HIGH KINGSHIP BELONG TO THE UÍ NÉILL?
Again, this is untrue. Whilst the Uí Néill dominated the Irish High Kingship for centuries, it does not mean it inherintly belongs to them, especially when considering that not a single one of them ever fully united Ireland.
Most Uí Néill High Kings ended up betrayed and/or murdered.
Another common misconception that goes along with this is that the High Kingship belongs to the Ó Néill dynasty. Whilst the Ó Néill are a leading sept of the Uí Néill, it is again not true. If anything, it would go to the Mac Lochlainn dynasty. Only one Ó Néill ever held the Irish High Kingship; their progenitor Domnall ua Néill, who was also the ancestor of the Mac Lochlainn who later inherited the High Kingship.
ARE THERE RIVAL CLAIMANTS?
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TITLE HIGH KING OF IRELAND AND KING OF IRELAND
There are, in fact, other people who do claim, can claim, or are claimed to be the rightful High King of Ireland. Many people actually claim to be the rightful High King of Ireland, but these are the only people who could ever seriously hope to claim it:
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The O'Conor Don, King of Connacht;
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The O'Brien, King of Thomond;
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The MacMahon, Prince of Corcabaskin;
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Díolún mac Críostóir, King of Ireland;
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The MacLaughlin, King of Aileach.
The title King of Ireland is hereditary and belongs to the descendants of Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, who in addition to being Ireland's last undisputed High King, was also the first King of Ireland, and the last to be seated on the throne. Prince Díolún is indisputably the rightful King of Ireland.
The title High King of Ireland is not quite as hereditary and can be claimed by several Irish dynasties who all have a right to it. Most people recognise The O'Conor Don as the heir to this title, but we are fighting to change that!
WITH ALL THESE CLAIMS YOU'RE MAKING PEOPLE WILL THINK YOU
WANT TO BE A POLITICAL LEADER. AREN'T YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THAT?
This is a most excellent question (credit is due to H.R.H. Prince Ándrías for bringing it up). We had considered this but now that somebody else has expressed concern over it, we should probably address it.
The reforms and solutions to issues we offer are not things we plan to gain power to install. We would certainly like to take part in them, but these ideas are free for anyone to use and take part in.
But why? Why not take power to bring them to fruition? The answer is simple, dear friend: we care more about them happening than about who makes them happen.