Kings of Tory
King of Tory | |
---|---|
Rí Thoraigh (Irish) | |
Incumbent Vacant since 19 October 2018 | |
Residence | Tory Island |
The King of Tory (Irish: Rí Thoraí) was a customary title used by inhabitants of the island of Tory off the coast of County Donegal, Ireland. The title was last claimed by Dublin-born Patsy Dan Rodgers (Irish: Patsaí Dan Mac Ruaidhrí), who died of cancer in Dublin in October 2018.[1]
History[]
The history of the kings goes back at least as far as the 6th century,[2] if not as long as 5,000 years ago.[3] It has been suggested that some of the pre-historical kings included Conand and Balor. During the 1800s the Heggerty/Heraghty/Herrity family supplied the kings; however, the role of king is no longer hereditary. The role usually entails being a representative for the island to outsiders. In 1995 it was reported that the current king personally greeted every incoming ferry from the mainland.[4][5][6][7]
At the time of the last king's death in October 2018, it was the only extant kingship in Ireland.[8]
Patsy Dan Rodgers became King of Tory in 1993,[9] and held the title and role until his death in October 2018.[1] Rodgers was an artist and musician and in his role as king welcomed visitors to the island, entertained them with music and tales of island life.[1]
Rodgers was born in Dublin in 1944 and only adopted into Tory when he was four, but the Rodgers family claims a connection to the island of over 3,400 years, and the holder of the title prior to Patsy Dan Rodgers was Padraig Óg Rodgers.[1]
There is little documentation of earlier kings; a 1917 issue of The Literary Digest mentioned that "The shores are inhabited by septs […] which preserve a clannish allegiance to one another, but the islands are ruled by kings. There is a King of Tory and a King of Innismurray."[10] A dwarf named Paddy Heggarty was another king prior to the Rodgers. Kings were required to be of the brehon class and to be literate.[11]
References[]
- ^ a b c d "'King of Tory Island' Patsy Dan Rodgers dies aged 74". Irish Times. 20 October 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
- ^ Nurden, Robert (29 December 2002). "Ireland's monarch of the isle". The Independent on Sunday. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
- ^ Carton, Donna (30 March 2003). "NO drugs in my land warns King of Tory". Sunday Mirror.
- ^ Haubert, Peg (16 March 1995). "Tory Island - Ireland Slightly Removed". Milwaukee Sentinel. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
- ^ Fox, Robin (2004). Participant Observer: Memoir of a Transatlantic Life. Transaction Publishers. p. 266. ISBN 0765802384. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
- ^ Fox, Robin (1978). The Tory Islanders: A people of the Celtic fringe. Cambridge University Press. p. 55. ISBN 0521292980.
- ^ "Tory Island: Rugged Beauty, Pirate Past". Irish America. February–March 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
- ^ "DISCOVER THE RUGGED BEAUTY OF TORY ISLAND THIS SUMMER" (Press release). Tourism Ireland. 15 March 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
- ^ "Irish island saved by art". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 30 July 2008. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
- ^ "The Literary Digest". Funk & Wagnalls. 15 May 1917 – via Google Books.
- ^ Fox, Robin (29 December 1978). The Tory Islanders: A People of the Celtic Fring. CUP Archive. ISBN 9780521292986 – via Google Books.
- Irish kings
- Tory Island