by election. This change to the inheritance system was also taken up by the Scottish clans in the 17th and 18th centuries. The early 17th century was a watershed in Ireland. It marked the destruction of Ireland's ancient Gaelic aristocracy following the Tudor re-conquest and cleared the way for the Plantation of Ulster. In 1607 the senior Gaelic Chiefs of Ulster left Ireland to recruit support in Spain but failed, and instead eventually arrived in Rome where they remained for the rest of their lives (see: Flight of the Earls). After this point, the English authorities in Dublin established real control over all of Ireland for the first time, bringing a centralised government to the entire island, and successfully disarmed the native clans and their lordships. Later developments and "revival" The first modern Irish clan societies were reformed in the latter half of the 20th century. Today such groups are organised in Ireland and in many other parts of the world. Many independent Irish clan societies have sprung up with international affiliation and membership from across the global Irish Diaspora for the purposes of helping others with preserving history, culture, and the pursuit of genealogy. In 1989 a private organisation, Clans of Ireland, was formed under the leadership of Rory O'Connor, "Chieftain" of the "O'Connor Kerry Clan", with the purpose of creating and maintaining a Register of Clans, which can be consulted on the organisation's website. See also Scottish clans List of Irish clans List of Celtic tribes Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains References Sources Nicholls, K. (2003). Gaelic and Gaelicized Ireland in the Middle Ages. Dublin: Lilliput Press, Second Edition. Curley, W.J.P. (2004). Vanishing Kingdoms: The Irish Chiefs and their Families. Dublin: Lilliput Press. Ó Muraíle, N. (2003). The Great Book of Irish Genealogies Compiled by Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh 1645–1666. Dublin. De Búrca Books. External links Clans of Ireland Clans and Chieftains The Fitzpatrick – Mac Giolla Phádraig Clan Society Fitzpatrick Clan Society