Organizational Structure

An Chomhairle Ghaol Naofa

The supreme governing body of Gaol Naofa is An Chomairle Ghaol Naofa, the Gaol Naofa Council. An Chomahirle consists of nine members who are elected by the member body, though some, like the Ollamh and Breitheamh, are appointed. Some of these offices will be filled gradually as the organization grows, and additional offices may be added over time as An Chomhairle see fit.

The offices of the An Chomhairle Ghaol Naofa include:

Uachtarán – president of Gaol Naofa; currently fulfilled by Treasa Ní Chonchobhair.

Leas-Uachtarán – vice-president of Gaol Naofa; currently fulfilled by Annie Loughlin.

Cúntóir Riaracháin – administrative assistant; currently fulfilled by Gorm Sionnach.

Rúnaí – secretary; currently vacant.

Cisteoir – treasurer; currently vacant.

Ollamh – ‘high-scholar’, the chief editor who oversees the overall production and evaluation of publications, informational and educational materials produced by Gaol Naofa; Currently filled by a cranky hag who wishes to remain anonymous.

Brughaid – ‘hospitaller’ of Gaol Naofa, is responsible for seeing that all aspects of hospitality are met within the organization, deals with member relations and acts as an ombudsperson and member’s advocate; currently vacant.

Breitheamh – oversees the general proceedings of meetings, functions, and administration of Gaol Naofa; currently vacant.

Ard-Taoiseach – an elected representative of Gaol Naofa’s taoisigh to serve on the Ard-Comhairle in the interests of the tuatha; currently vacant.

Individuals

While Gaol Naofa is very focused on community and family, we recognize that there are also members who are forced into solitary practice due to geographical isolation, lack of community, or because family does not share the same beliefs or ideals. Sometimes an individual may prefer to express their spirituality in an individual manner and that is perfectly acceptable.

We want to reach out to all of our members and do our best to provide for our solitaries the resources, practical guidance, and contacts with local members or groups, if they are interested.

Family Groups

Gaelic polytheists who worship as a family (or as a group of families and/ or an extended family of close friends) may decide to form their own fellowships called kindreds, households, hearths, or their bilingual equivalents. A common name for such family-based groups is the líon-tí or fine. These groups tend to be more private in their affairs and exclusive to those who are not members of the family or are not close relations; one is usually invited to join rather than one petitioning for membership. While private, they may be very active in the public sphere or greater community.

These finte will often have their own traditions, rites, and approaches that they share as a family. A house-head, usually the man or woman of the household or perhaps an elder, leads or facilitates the family’s religious activities such as the household’s daily devotions and the observance of the seasonal celebrations.

Cuallachtaí

Cuallacht/Cuideachd in Irish and Scots-Gaelic means a religious body or community, or fellowship. These are semi-autonomous public congregations where community members gather for worship, fellowship, and spiritual and secular support. For their communities they provide refuge, resources, and guidance. Ultimately it is the members who decide cuallacht activities, though they will generally hold frequent rites of worship, services in observance of holidays, feasts, benefits, sporting events, and folk fairs. The foundation of the cuallacht is the family unit, though individuals are welcome to join, and there is a strong sense of kinship and familial affection amongst the members of the cuallacht.

Many types of cuallachtaí exist ranging from flame-tenders, warrior bands, study groups, to general fellowships, and may also be culturally specific. Cuallachtaí may be chartered by Gaol Naofa or existing cuallachtaí can apply to be associated and in alliance with Gaol Naofa. The cuallacht establishes its own method of administration or government, however fair, balanced and democratic.

At this time, Gaol Naofa is not lending charters for cuallachtaí or accepting cuallachtaí just yet.

Tuatha/Clanna

The tuath in Irish and clann in Scots-Gaelic were words to describe a small nation of people, a tribe, or group of people who shared a common ancestor. Today, while keeping with the spirit of the traditional meaning of the terms, we have slightly adapted them to our own use in referring to a regional area where cuallachtaí have agreed to come together to form a united body of cuallachtaí, a tuath. Cuallachtaí may decide to form a tuath to expand and strengthen their regional communities by uniting them and sharing resources and information; cuallachtaí encompassed within the tuath will still retain a manner of semi-autonomy.

Like a cuallacht, the tuath will establish its own system of government but will include an elected taoiseach or chieftain along with a council of representatives from each cuallacht within in tuath. Being that Gaol Naofa is not lending charters to any cuallachtaí at this time, tuatha currently cannot be formed and recognized.