Fothairt

The Fortuatha were a Medieval Irish people.

In Irish Kings and High Kings, Francis John Byrne defines Fortuatha as "kingdoms not ruled directly by members of the dominant dynasty of a province" (p. 45). T. F. O'Rahilly in Early Irish History and Mythology states Fortuatha "means in effect people belonging to a different stock from that of the rulers of the territory" (p. 27), yet sometimes enjoying a position of favour with the ruling people.

Population-groups termed fortuatha included the Calraige, Ciarraige, Corca Fhir Trí, Delbhna, Déisi, Gailenga, Grecraige, Luighne, Masraige and Setantii.

The status of each population-group could differ from one part of the island to another, with some fortuatha being class as Aithechthúatha in other regions.

In Leinster, some reckoned among the Fortuatha had previously held the provincial kingship. This was the Dál Messin Corb and its principal septs, the Uí Garrchon and the Uí Enechglaiss.

The Fothairt are referenced in Leabhar Ua Maine. Their genealogies are preserved in Leabhar na nGenealach, the Great Book of Lecan, Bodleian Library, MS Rawlinson B 502, and/or Bodleian Library, MS Rawlinson B 512.

...
Wikipedia