House of Bradley
The House of O Brolcháin, aka Bradley
is one of the oldest Royal families of Ireland.
Our passion is preserving our family history.
HRH Prince Carl
Sovereign of the
House of Bradley
aka House of O Brolcháin
Seal of the
Sovereign Prince
Clan Badge,
Tartan - House of Bradley
Most Royal Order
House of Bradley
Dynastic House of
Bradley - O Brolcháin /
Ui Bhrolchan
The Dynastic House of Bradley, or Ui Bhrolchan, is an interdependent sovereign entity
Currently, Carl Bradley is a sovereign royal prince with full legal sovereign status, as established by blood and his Declaration of Sovereignty. The House of Bradley heads a dynastic lineage that descends from Milesius, king of Spain, through the line of his son Heremon. The family's founder was King Brión, son of Eocha Moy Veagon, King of Ireland, A.D. 350. The ancient name was Brodamhlacht, which signifies "Proud." His predecessor was HRH Prince Gerald Paul Bradley from Dec. 1976 till March 2024.
The possessions of the sept were located in the present-day counties of Meath, Fermanagh, Armagh, Cavan, Cork, Mayo, Donegal, Tyrone, and Derry. The Bradleys were identified with the Ui Bhrolchan, aka O'Bhrolchans, a branch of the Kinel Owens, also known as Cenel Eoghain, and of the Sept Cenel Fearadhaigh, and formed the Cenel Bhrolchan. They are of the High Kings of Ireland of Tara and the Kings of Aileach from Tyrone in Ulster, Ireland. His Royal Highness is a Sovereign Royal Prince. He comes from an unbroken line of Royal Princes that has issued a new Constitution and constitutional law of succession, along with new royal and noble titles for his royal princely house. And has also established Sovereign, Chivalric, Ecclesiastic, Royal, and Military Orders.
H.R.H. Prince Carl has, by letters patent, mandated that: "NO PAPAL BULL" (- is a type of public decree, letters patent, or charter issued by a pope of the Catholic Church) could be published in his dominions without his consent (placetum regium). H.R.H. Prince Carl, who is also the fourth in line of Royal Princes descending from the line of Suibne Menn, the High King of Ireland and King of Aileach, who was great grandfather of Flann Find also High King of Ireland and King of Aileach, and he was the grandfather of 'Brolchain the Royal Prince' (the namesake of the Bradley family), who is also of the first in line of descent and was the head of the Cenél Fearadhaigh and the Cenel Bhrolchan. This continuation of the Royal Princes has been passed from father to son until the present.
“Cenél Bhrolchan - Clan Bradley”
Bhrolchan ‘Irish’ Surname Lineage:
Bradley aka O’Brolchain, Ó Brolacháin, MacBrolchain, McBrillichain, MacBrolchan, McBrallaghan, O'Broileachain, O'Brellighan, O'Brileghane, O'Brallaghan, McBrollaghan, Brollaghan, McBradley, O'Bradley, Bradley, McBradlee, Bradlee, Brody, Brodie, Ua Brolcháin, Brabazon, McIntyre, Daly, Dealy, Robert(s), Sutherland, Fox, Norton, Clancy, Downie, Clinton, Brine, McGuire, Maguires, Alwell, Alwill, Callwell, Campbell, Carlos, Caulfield, Cawell, Howell, MacCaul, MacCall, McCall, MacCorless, MacCowell, MacCowhill, MacHall, MacGilmartin, MacMartin, Gilmartin, Martin, Kilmartin, O'Ferry, Ferry, Ferris, Mulpatrick, Kilpatrick, McGivern, McGiveran, McGivergan, Maguirin, M'Gwyrin, M'Guiverin, Magiverin, Magivern, Magiveran, MacGiverin, MacGiveran, MacGivern, McGivern, McGiveran, McGivergan, Guerin, Mag Uidhrin, Mac Uidhrén, Mac Uidhrein, Mac Uidhrín, and Mac Uidhrea. Are all family surnames that are a part of the Irish Cenel Bhrolchan Clan grouping.
Bhrolchan ‘Scottish’ Surname Lineage:
Bradley aka Ui Brolcháin, Mac Bradlee, Mac Bradleigh, Mac Brophy, Brophy, Mac An Teasor, McIntyre, Robertson, Grant, Coates, Stranahan, Ross, Gray, MacDonald, Clugston, Rice, McGregor, Mac Gregor, Livingston, Gilmore, Hall, Turner, Cameron, and Jack. Are all family surnames that are a part of the Scottish Cenel Bhrolchan Clan grouping.
Origins of Bhrolchan
- The Cenél Fearadhaigh, or 'kindred of Ferry', descended from Feradach mac Muiredach (Ferry MacMurdoch), a grandson of Eógain, and by the 12th century controlled a large portion of County Tyrone and had penetrated deep into County Fermanagh.
- By the mid-14th century, the Maguires would break the power of the Cenél Fearadhaigh in Fermanagh.
- And the Royal Princes of the Bhrolchan family would go on to be Royal Princes, Prince-Priests, Prince-Abbotts, and Prince-Bishops, Priests and other clergy throughout Ireland and Scotland, mainly in the Areas of Donegal, Derry, Meath, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Cavan, Down, Kerry, Leitrim, Louth, Roscommon, Sligo, and Armagh, in Ireland, and in Kyntyre and on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. some actually left with the O'Neill to Spain and Portugal as his clergy.
- The family wielded considerable power and sway with both the Catholic Church and the Royalty of both Ireland and Scotland.
Note:
Fearadhaigh was spelt as Feradaig in Old Irish (c700-c900) and Middle Irish Gaelic (c900-c1200). Feradach means 'Woodsman' from fear 'man' and fiodh 'wood' combined into Fer-fedach, Fer-fid (Ferid), 'man-wood' and -ach 'belonging to, involved with or having' Sept (Common Forms) Mac Cathmhaoil.
Meaning: Battle-chief
Territory: Barony of Clogher, County Tyrone.
Progenitor: Leading Sept of the Cenél Fearadhaigh, and one of the seven powerful septs supporting O'Neill. This name, Bhrolchan.
Progenitor: Bhrolchan of Cenel Bhrolchan / Clann Bradley / Ó Brolacháin.
Meaning: from the Irish "brollach" meaning "Breastwork or Defender" or "Heart of the King".
Territory: Parts of Donegal, Derry, Meath, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Cavan, Down, Kerry, Leitrim, Louth, Roscommon, Sligo, and Armagh, in Ireland, and in Kyntyre and on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. (O'Brallaghan, Brollaghan, Bradley, Brodie). This was a prolific and adventurous Sept, where a branch of the family, the O'Brologhans, became established in the Western Highlands of Scotland via their connections with the monastery on Iona, thanks to the prior of Derry, Prince Domhnall Ua Brolcháin, who was its abbot.
The Co. Cork Bradleys descend from this sept, and some Brollaghans in Co. Cavan assumed the Norman name Brabazon.
And the Prince and General Flann Adag Ó Brolcháin of Baile Uí Bhrolcháin in Donegal who in later life lived in Derry reformed the Cenel Bhrolchan of the Clann Bradley. He was determined to re establish the family's and Clans in Ireland and in Ulster and support the O'Neill in his plight against the English due to the Plantation of Ulster and the persecution of the Catholic families and religious members of the Catholic Church some of which was direct family members being executed on site.
O'Brolchan Royal Princes of the High Kings of Ireland
The O'Brolchan (also recorded as Ó Brolcháin, Brollaghan, or in some anglicized forms as Bradley) family is a historically notable Gaelic Irish lineage with links to Ireland's ancient royal dynasties.
Historical Origins
• The O'Brolcháns trace their ancestry to Suibhne Meann, a 7th-century King of Ireland in Ulster.
• They are connected to the Kinel Feradaigh and later the broader Kinel Owen, both prominent subdivisions in medieval Tyrone and Derry.
• According to genealogical sources, the family descends ultimately from Milesius of Spain, linking them to Heremon, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, a legendary High King of Ireland (circa 379 AD).
Medieval Presence
• Their historical settlements were mainly in south Tyrone and around Derry. There are later branches in Co. Mayo and Cork.
• The family produced numerous ecclesiastics and were influential in local politics and the church during the Middle Ages.
• Maelisa O'Brolchain (d. 1086) is a notable figure, associated with Bothchonais, Inishowen, Donegal, with surviving memorials including a graveyard and carved stone cross.
Royal and Noble Context
• In the broader framework of Gaelic nobility, the O'Brolcháns were considered a princes’ lineage within the Rí (kingly) structure, subordinate to regional over-kings and the Ard Rí (High King) in Ireland.
• Gaelic titles were typically based on elective succession within a patriline, known as tanistry, rather than strict primogeniture.
• The O'Brolcháns’ connection to Ulster royalty situates them amongst families considered Gaelic nobility and flatha (princes), although formal recognition by modern state titles ceased after the collapse of the Gaelic hierarchical system around the 17th century.
Legacy
• Some branches later anglicized their surname as Bradley, making their Gaelic origins less immediately visible.
• The family's historical significance lies both in their royal Ulster ancestry and in producing notable church leaders during the Middle Ages.
• They are counted among Ireland’s ancient royal families, retaining genealogical interest for those tracing Gaelic Irish nobility.
Key References
• Library Ireland – Ó Brolcháin
• Genealogical History of the Brolchan Family
• EverybodyWiki – House of O Brolcháin
• Historical context of Gaelic nobility of Ireland: Wikipedia, Gaelic nobility of Ireland.
Summary
The O'Brolchans were a princely Gaelic Irish family originating in Ulster, descending from ancient kings, and historically influential in ecclesiastical and regional affairs. While modern recognition as rulers ceased centuries ago, they remain a documented royal and noble lineage among Irish historic dynasties.
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