Old Irish Kingdoms and Clans, the Flann Name

The name Flann we are quite satisfied originates in the ancient and documented history of Ireland. It is well established the Irish in the form of the Celts were a highly civilized tribe of peoples, organized by chieftains- kings, and their clans. They also traveled by sea far and wide. Even it is said they sailed the Atlantic and landed in America long before any other European did.

It is also known that in 870 and 914 the Vikings acted aggressively against England (incidentally landing and plundering Portland on occasions) but they next returned forcefully to Ireland and established a presence. But given the already developed Irish ways into which they intruded, by the 940’s the Irish became adept at manipulating the Viking military power to serve their own political ends. Here the power alternated between the kings of Tara (Ireland), and their Southern and Northern Ui Niall (Neil) clans.

In 876 the sovereignty of Ireland was succeeded to by, one Flann Sionna, (sometime spelt “Sinna”) of the Southern Neill clan and son of the Monarch of All Ireland after he had slain Cormac, king of Munster. He remained sovereign until 916, a considerable feat in those turbulent and bloody years.