Meet our Clan Chief

As of 30/9/2019 Darren Poole has been elected as our Inaugural Clan Chief, by Derbhfine, Chief of the Name,

The Poole - Ó Pollach Mór

Dynastic head of the non-ruling royal House

About the Chief of Clan Poole Darren Andrew Poole, born 5 April 1979 in Wigan, England, was elected Chief of Clan Poole, Chief of the Name, Ó Pollach (Poole), following an Ad Hoc Derbhfine held by ballot in accordance with the guidance of Finte na hÉireann – Clans of Ireland. The election was conducted in the spirit of the ancient Brehon Laws, marking the revival of the Poole lineage as a recognised Irish clan community. Darren is the son of Richard Irvin Poole and Margaret Greenall, and the father of Callum James Poole, Jessica Louise Poole, and Shannon Marie Poole. He is the brother of Irvin Poole and Paul Poole, and stepbrother to Brian Roscoe. The family descends maternally from the McGuire, Mahoney, Clune, Murphy, and Doyle bloodlines of Ireland. Modern Y-DNA testing confirms that the paternal bloodline of the Poole family is Irish, belonging to haplogroup R-BY21233, a direct subclade of R-DF85 > R-M222, the defining lineage of the Cenél Conaill, a royal branch of the Northern Uí Néill dynasty. This genetic signature lies within the same cluster as the Ó Baoighill (O’Boyle) and Ó Domhnaill (O’Donnell) families of Tír Chonaill. The close Y-STR matches, including similarities in modal values, together with shared ancestral SNP markers, provide compelling genetic evidence of a common paternal origin with the compared O'Donnell and O'Boyle lineages, strongly supporting our ancestral connections to the wider Cenél Conaill. Documented genealogical research and Y-DNA evidence place the Poole paternal bloodline within R-S673, a genetic branch associated in published genetic reconstructions with Fergus Cennfota, son of Conall Gulban, of the early royal Cenél Conaill dynasty of the Northern Uí Néill. The Chief's documented paternal ancestry has also been acknowledged in the wording of his grant of armorial bearings by the Chief Herald of Malta, following the submission and examination of supporting genealogical documentation, genetic evidence and historical research. The Poole paternal haplogroup, R-BY21233, descends through R-FGC32830, a lineage shown separately from the branch traditionally associated with Fergus's son Sétna. This suggests a possible connection to another branch of Fergus's descendants, although the precise ancestral line remains the subject of ongoing research. Although the surname Poole was adopted at a later stage in the family’s history, the bloodline itself remains Gaelic and royal in origin, directly rooted in the dynasty of the Cenél Conaill, Clan Poole is a cadet Dynastic non-ruling royal house by that right. Under his leadership, Clan Poole continues to develop its heraldic and cultural identity through dynastic authority iure sanguinis and in keeping with traditional Irish clan law and custom. On 1 August 2022, Darren Poole acquired the legal right, style, and use of the Lordship of Shevington, assuming the title Darren Poole, Lord of Shevington. On 27 May 2025, he succeeded to the Lordship of Standish, continuing the historic tradition of manorial dignities connected to the region. Beyond his ceremonial and genealogical work, Darren Poole is an award-winning and bestselling fiction author, former actor and stuntman, security professional, and retired professional wrestler. He serves as an Adult Instructor (Sergeant Instructor) within the Army Cadet Force (ACF), where he helps train and mentor young people in leadership, discipline, and community values. He also spent some time with the Territorial Army, The Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry (RMLY) D Squadron, prior to medical discharge. Today, he owns and operates a pet-services business, working with a wide range of dog breeds in both walking and training. He remains deeply engaged in the study of Clan and family genealogy, leading Clan Poole in its mission to preserve research, and celebrate its proud Irish heritage. He also serves as Ó Pollach Mór, Head of the House of Poole, a dynastic line descended from the Cenél Conaill of the Northern Uí Néill, an Ardfhlaith of the Cenél Conaill - Jure Sanguinis, within that ancestral tradition. A Message from our Clan Chief. “Updated 19 October 2025 (Reflecting on the original message issued 30 September 2019) “In 2019, when Clan Poole was first registered with Finte na hÉireann – Clans of Ireland, I expressed my gratitude and humility at being chosen to lead our newly established Clan, the first of our name. At that time, our mission was simple but significant, to establish our name and heritage as one recognised Clan, and to build our presence within the wider Celtic world. That original message spoke of patience and of a provisional period while the Clan found its feet. In the years since, we have done exactly that, and more. Today, through the combined work of our members and the irrefutable evidence of Y-DNA haplogroup R-BY21233, our paternal line has been proven beyond any reasonable doubt to descend from the royal Cenél Conaill branch of the Northern Uí Néill. This same genetic signature unites us with the historic Ó Baoighill (O’Boyle) and Ó Domhnaill (O’Donnell) families of Tír Chonaill, confirming our rightful place among the ancient Gaelic royal kindreds. Because of this verified descent, the earlier ten-year provisional period is no longer applicable. The Chiefship of the Name stands firmly established and recognised within the Irish clan tradition, underpinned by both historical record and genetic proof. Clan Poole has grown into a global family, Irish in origin yet embracing all who share our lineage or our spirit of kinship across England, Scotland, Wales, and beyond.Together we honour our past, live our heritage, and move forward as one united body. To every clansman, clanswoman, and friend of Clan Poole who has walked this path with us, I extend my heartfelt thanks for your loyalty, support, and belief. Et Nos Unum Sumus.Together We Are One. Darren Poole, Ó Pollach Mór Chief of Clan Poole Head of the House of Poole - a non-ruling royal house of Cenél Conaill descent Lord of Shevington and Standish an Ardfhlaith of the Cenél Conaill - Jure Sanguinis.” .