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]
| King of Tory | |
|---|---|
| Rí Thoraigh (Irish) | |
Incumbent Vacant since 19 October 2018 | |
| Residence | Tory Island |
History edit
The history of the kings dates to at least the 6th century,[2] and possibly significantly earlier.[3] It has been suggested that some of the pre-historical kings included Conand and Balor. During the 19th century, the Heggerty/Heraghty/Herrity family supplied the kings;[4] however, the role of king is no longer hereditary.[5] The role usually entails being a representative for the island to outsiders. In 1995, it was reported that the then king personally greeted every incoming ferry from the mainland.[6]
According to Tourism Ireland in 2012, Tory Island was the "only place in Ireland to have a [customary] King".[7]
Patsy Dan Rodgers became King of Tory in 1993,[8] 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,[9] entertained them with music and tales of island life.[1] He was born in Dublin in 1944 and only adopted into Tory when he was four, but the Rodgers family claims a historic connection to the island, 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.[4]
As of 2022, no new king has been elected, but there is a Wixsite.com webpage that "supports the continuation of the ancient monarchy of Tory".[11][better source needed]
References edit
- ^ a b c d Maguire, Stephen (20 October 2018). "'King of Tory Island' Patsy Dan Rodgers dies aged 74". Irish Times. 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.
- ^ a b Fox, Robin (1978). The Tory Islanders: A people of the Celtic fringe. Cambridge University Press. pp. 16, 55]. ISBN 0521292980.
- ^ Fox, Robin (2004). Participant Observer: Memoir of a Transatlantic Life. Transaction Publishers. p. 266. ISBN 0765802384. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
- ^ Haubert, Peg (16 March 1995). "Tory Island - Ireland Slightly Removed". Milwaukee Sentinel. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
- ^ "Discover The Rugged Beauty Of Tory Island This Summer" (Press release). Tourism Ireland. 15 March 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
- ^ "Irish island saved by art". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 30 July 2008. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
- ^ Casey, Dan (February–March 2011). "Tory Island: Rugged Beauty, Pirate Past". Irish America. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
- ^ "Ireland's Men of the West". The Literary Digest. 54 (11). Funk & Wagnalls: 720. 17 March 1917 – via archive.org.
- ^ "Home | Tory Island Monarchist League".