What does it mean to be Indigenous in Ireland?

There may be many reasons for confusion when the idea of being indigenous on the island of Ireland is raised.

This confusion is understandable given the history of social development – however it is less apparent when it comes to other species- such as plants or animals who share the terrain, rivers and seas that surround us.

If we are comfortable with accepting other species as indigenous, or naturalised to our biosphere, we can use similar thinking to accept humans who inhabit the island as natural to it.

There is a broad international consensus among indigenous peoples that our cultures, practices towards the natural world and connection to our ancestors make up our indigenous complexions.

And although social development has been complex and difficult on our island, there remains in our collective consciousness and relationships enough of these vital ingredients of indigeneity to claim and re-claim.

You are warmly invited to join Indigenous Ireland on this important journey of realising indigeneity- or dúchasach- on this beautiful land we share, through becoming a member, taking part in one of our regular Turais or joining our Daingean Gathering in May 2023.

We are a broad tribe, or collection of tribes, and welcome this diversity as part of our heritage and future.