An Cónaidhm na dTuath Gaelach is, by its nature, an organization designed for Gaelic family groups, specifically tribal groups such as the Tuath or Clann. As such, there are no individual memberships, per se. Individuals should either seek out a Sinnsreachd tuath, clann, or dearbhfine (listed below) near them, or gather together enough people of a like mind to found one of their own. Using the resources page and with the help of extant tuatha and clanna, founding a tuath is not an impossible task. However, while books are being published by ACTG that deal with this subject, the focus of this page is the membership criteria for extant tribal groups.
Classification of Membership
An Cónaidhm na dTuath Gaelach recognizes three categories of members, each being a group of living persons and, based on size and stability, having an ascending role in the activities and operation of the Confederation. These member classifications are:
Probationary Members- These members of An Cónaidhm na dTuath Gaelach are recognized as any group of followers of the Sinnsreachd faith who are in the process of forming a dearbhfine or tuath, who support the purposes and principles of the ACTG, but do not yet meet the requirements for membership outlined below and are seeking patronage and help from an existing member tuath. They are entitled to attend ACTG-sponsored events and receive all An Cónaidhm na dTuath Gaelach publications meant for the general membership, but shall have no voting rights.
Dearbhfine- These extended family group members of An Cónaidhm na dTuath Gaelach are recognized as all members of the Sinnsreachd faith who are part of an extended family, related by blood or fosterage, who live in two or more households and accept a unified identity either as a Sinnsreachd family group or as part of a larger Sinnsreachd tribe. They are entitled to attend ACTG-sponsored events and receive all An Cónaidhm na dTuath Gaelach publications meant for the general membership, but shall have limited voting rights. Each designated representative of a Dearbhfine shall have a single vote in An Comhairle Ríthe elections, but not in elections regarding various business before the An Comhairle Ríthe.
Tuath- These tribal members of An Cónaidhm na dTuath Gaelach are recognized as all members of the Sinnsreachd faith, related by blood or fosterage, who live in two or more dearbhfhinte (plural form of dearbhfine) and accept a unified identity as a Sinnsreachd tribe. They are entitled to attend ACTG-sponsored events and receive all An Cónaidhm na dTuath Gaelach publications meant for the general membership. Each designated representative of a tuath shall be a member of An Comhairle Ríthe, and shall have a single vote in An Comhairle Ríthe elections, and shall have a single vote as a member of An Comhairle Ríthe in all ACTG business.
Member Responsibilities and Requirements
An Cónaidhm na dTuath Gaelach sets forth the following standards of structure, intent, and agreements for potential members, each agreed upon and held to by the founding tuatha of An Cónaidhm na dTuath Gaelach as well as subsequent member tuatha. In order to become a member of An Cónaidhm na dTuath Gaelach, a dearbhfine or tuath must:
Maintain a family-based social structure, wherein family is the core of the tuath, and it is understood that a teaghlach (household), dearbhfine, and a tuath are familial and tribal entities, not social clubs or re-enactment groups.
Have a semi-loose occupational class system of at least the four main classes of persons: general population, craftsmen and artists, warriors, and spiritual functionaries and lore-keepers, with a dearbhfine having at least one Aos Dána (see Modern Expressions of Caste and Rank in the Research section), and a tuath having a seanchaí (lore keeper), and at least one other Aos Dána among them.
Elect from among their number a leader who will act as the representative of their kin, designated as such- dearbhfine: Ceann Fine, “family head”, tuath: Rí or Taoiseach “chieftain”, and maintain the understanding and adherence to the concept of sacral leadership, in that the ceann fine or rí/taoiseach is connected to the land and binds the people to the land so that as he or she leads, so does the tribe and land fail or prosper.
Support each of the goals and proscriptions laid out in the ACTG charter, in addition to any of their own that do not violate the constitution, charter, or bylaws of An Cónaidhm na dTuath Gaelach or the nations in which we dwell, and will bond together in the spirit of kinship with the other members of the confederation.
Recognize all agreed-upon member tribes as independent sovereign entities under their own self-rule, separate from the confederation except for the specific agreed-upon proscriptions within the charter.
Be Gaelic in cultural origin, holding to culture and structure of the Albanach (Scottish), Éireannach (Irish) and Manannach (Manx) peoples as defined by the indigenous pre-Anglo culture and language of the Gaelic peoples.
Determine their own membership requirements, organizational structure, financial contributions, and tribal laws based on the indigenous Gaelic culture as defined by the Fénechas, or Brehon Law, not to be infringed upon by the confederation except where subject to the agreed-upon Proscriptions.
Have members within a reasonably close geographic area to encourage personal contact and kinship.
Declare their cultural origins (Albanach, Éireannach or Manannach) and tribal name, the number of dearbhfhinte within their tribe, and the rí or taoiseach that will sit upon An Comhairle Ríthe.
Agree to provide their tribe's laws and a tribal profile overview, as well as promptly updated contact data and any website URL's.
Be willing to provide hospitality to any person belonging to a member tribe whenever possible (excepting where such persons have abused the hospitality of their tribe or others.)
When capable, develop a program or programs that will further at least one of the stated goals.
Agree to provide any aid, assistance and defense when and where possible (after providing for their own tribe, of course) in times of need, crisis or war.
Member Rights and Privileges
An Cónaidhm na dTuath Gaelach sets forth the following privileges for member tribes in good standing within the ACTG, both for member dearbhfhinte and tuatha:
All member tribes shall have access to a general research database developed as times goes on by compilations of articles, books, etc. as well as research compiled by Confederation scholars.
All member tribes shall have access to Community Development material and resources, including assistance where feasible from the prototype community construction crew and supervisors.
All member tribes shall have access to Enterprise Development materials and resources, including advice and assistance, where feasible, from the various entrepreneurs within member tuatha who volunteer their expertise in the establishment and management of small businesses.
All member tribes shall be welcome to attend a regional Cruinniú, an annual assembly for all member tribes in that region of the world, whenever possible.
All member tribes that are eligible to hold the regional Cruinniú on their land, such determination to be made by the An Comhairle Ríthe, are allowed to bid for the honor of hosting it. Lughnasadh is to be the date for the annual Cruinniú. Charitable events, contributions, or donations to cover the expenses of hosting the Cruinniú shall be allowed under the auspice of the ACTG’s non-profit status.
All member tribes shall be welcome to attend a tri-annual Dail to be held every three years, on the weekend closest to Lughnasadh, at a location decided by the An Comhairle Ríthe beginning with the year 2007.
Any member tribe may honorably withdraw from An Cónaidhm na dTuath Gaelach at any time. The voting member (s) shall inform An Comhairle Ríthe, in a public communication, of their intent to withdraw.
These general rules governing membership may be amended by a two-thirds vote of An Comhairle Ríthe.
Current Members
Clann na Fhaoil-Choin- An Albanach tuath that is one of the founding tuatha of An Cónaidhm na dTuath Gaelach, Clann na Fhaoil-Choin is one of the oldest organized tuatha within the Sinnsreachd movement. Located in North Texas, the territory of Clann na Fhaoil-Choin encompasses the area from the Oklahoma border to Fort Worth. Clann na Fhaoil-Choin has a membership from varied backgrounds, but many are involved in the film and technologies industries. Also one of the founding tuatha of the Cáirdean Ceilteach Ameireaga, Clann na Fhaoil-Choin has been a champion of establishing a greater Sinnsreachd community. Always open to foster in good, solid members, Clann na Fhaoil-Choin hosts many meetings and events in the Fort Worth area.
Website: fhaoil-choin.org
Clann Eoghanachta- The spiritual core of An Cónaidhm na dTuath Gaelach is the Albanach tuath descended from Eoghan Mór, Clann Eoghanachta. This tuath was one of the three founding tuatha of ACTG, and was the first international member. Located in Perth, Western Australia, Clann Eoghanachta is the ACTG representative tuath in Australia. This tuath was the second to establish a tuath-based business in the form of the band Nimheil, headed by the rí Pádraig Mac Iain. The members of Clann Eoghanachta come from a variety of backgrounds, but music, IT, and technological industries comprise the bulk of their focus. Clann Eoghanachta is open to foster in Australians who seek to join the Sinnsreachd movement and wish to be a part of Clann Eoghanachta’s strong religious and artistic tradition.
Website: members.iinet.net.au/~draoidh/treubh
Tuath na Ciarraide- An Éireannach tuath that was the third founding member of An Cónaidhm na dTuath Gaelach, this tuath is, alongside Clann na Fhaoil-Choin, one of the oldest organized tuatha in the Sinnsreachd movement. Located in Southeast Texas, the territory of Tuath na Ciarraide encompasses the south-eastern coastal region from the coast to Huntsville, and from the Texas-Louisiana border to Bastrop. This tuath was the first to establish a tuath-based business in the form of Black Eagle Security Services, a private security contractor firm, and is expanding to include more businesses. The members of Tuath na Ciarraide come from a varied background, but many are veterans of military service and law enforcement and still serve in those capacities today. While they are involved in engineering, industrial fabrication, and traditional crafts such as leatherworking and blacksmithing, the primary focus of Tuath na Ciarraide is their martial core of warrior traditions. Always willing to foster in good, solid members, Tuath na Ciarraide hosts many meetings and events in the Houston area.
Website: ciarraide.org
Tuath na Trianaid- An offshoot of Clann na Fhaoil-Choin created when some of that tuath’s members moved, Tuath na Trianaid was the first new addition to the ranks of An Cónaidhm na dTuath Gaelach. Located in North-central Texas, the territory of this Albanach tuath encompasses the north-central region from Fort Worth to Austin. Members of Tuath na Trianaid come primarily from the technical and IT industries, and thus much of their focus is in that direction, but they are open to foster anyone seeking the Sinnsreachd way of life. Members of this tuath are largely responsible for the many websites of the tuatha of An Cónaidhm na dTuath Gaelach.
Website: www.taigh-gaidheal.org/trianaid
Tuath na Gaoth Aneas- Tuath na Gaoth Aneas is an Éireannach tuath that was the newest tuath to join An Cónaidhm na dTuath Gaelach. Located in central Kansas, the territory of Tuath na Gaoth Aneas encompasses the area around Wichita, Kansas and surrounding communities. The members of this this growing family-based tuath come from IT, technical, teaching, and musical backgrounds. Always willing to foster in good, solid members, Tuath na Gaoth Aneas hosts many meetings and events in the Wichita area.
Website: tuathnagaothaneas.awardspace.com
Dearbhfine Caermichel- As with all dearbhfhinte, this dearbhfine does not have enough members or families to become a full tuath, but is working on growing into that capacity. Located in North Eastern Texas, this is a growing family-based dearbhfine founded by the Carmicheal family. Dearbhfine Caermichel is an Albanach dearbhfine and has a burgeoning agricultural, technical, and family-based tradition.
Website: none
Dearbhfine Dáiraide- Dearbhfine Dáiraide is the latest addition to An Cónaidhm na dTuath Gaelach, and is rapidly growing to become a full tuath. The most family-oriented dearbhfine of ACTG, fully 90% of the members of Dearbhfine Dáiraide are multi-generational members of the Hobbs family. Located in D.C./Virginia area, this is a growing family-based tuath founded by the Ua Dáire line of the Hobbs fine. Dearbhfine Dáiraide has a martial, technical, and an upcoming agricultural tradition.
Website: dairaide.org
Dearbhfine Carny Hadas- A probationary member located in the Kerem Shalom Kibbutz in Israel, this dearbhfine is the second international member of ACTG. As with all dearbhfhinte, this dearbhfine does not have enough members or families to become a full tuath, but is working on growing into that capacity. Located in Southwestern Israel on the Gaza border, this is a growing family-based dearbhfine founded by the Carny-Hadas family. Dearbhfine Carny Hadas is an Albanach dearbhfine and has a strong martial, agricultural, and family-based tradition.
Website: http://www.planetnana.co.il/carny123/ (In Hebrew)
