McGuire

Scottish Clans

McGuire Tartans & Clan

The McGuire clan tartan embodies one of Ireland's most powerful Gaelic dynasties, whose ancestral stronghold in County Fermanagh commanded respect across Ulster for over six centuries, from medieval kings to modern descendants worldwide.

Clan Motto

Fearg agus Flaitheas
(Wrath and Sovereignty)

Heritage & Identity

Who Wears McGuire Tartan?

Worn by McGuire descendants globally, sept families including Maguire, MacGuire, McGwire bearers, Irish regiment veterans, and Celtic heritage enthusiasts throughout Ireland, America, Canada, and Britain.

Associated Names

Maguire

MacGuire

McGwire

McQuire

MacQuire

Magwire

MacGwire

Mag Uidhir

McWire

Guire

Gwire

MacGwyre

Maguidhir

MacUidhir

Magoure

Maguyre

McGoure

MacGoure

Shop McGuire Tartan Products

Discover authentic McGuire clan products including traditional kilts, Celtic dress accessories, clan crests, tartan sashes, ties, and ceremonial items crafted for Irish descendants across North America and Ireland.

McGuire Tartans

0 Variations

Each tartan can feature several variations, with the most common being Ancient, Modern, Weathered, Hunting and Dress.

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Ancient Tartan

Before 1860, all fabric dyes came from nature — plants, berries, bark, and insects. The colours they produced were softer and more muted than what we're used to today: think mossy greens, dusty sky blues, and reds with a warm, orangey tone. A lot of people actually prefer Ancient tartans for this reason — the gentler contrasts let the pattern breathe and stand out in a way that bolder colours sometimes don't. Worth knowing: the pattern itself, called the sett, is exactly the same across all variations of a tartan. It's only the colours that change.

The McGuire Story

Four centuries of history woven into every thread

The McGuire clan traces its royal origins to ancient Ulster, where they ruled as Kings of Fermanagh from their island fortress of Enniskillen on Lough Erne. First documented in the 12th century, the Mag Uidhir dynasty controlled vast territories across County Fermanagh, commanding tribute from lesser clans and maintaining one of Ireland's most powerful Gaelic kingdoms. Their strategic position controlled crucial waterways and mountain passes, making them formidable opponents to Norman invaders. The McGuires established themselves as protectors of Gaelic culture, supporting bards, scholars, and traditional Irish law throughout their realm.

During the 14th and 15th centuries, the McGuire clan reached the zenith of their power under kings like Donn Mór Mag Uidhir, who expanded their territory and influence throughout Ulster. The family maintained their independence through skillful diplomacy and fierce warfare, playing English and Scottish forces against each other while preserving Gaelic sovereignty. McGuire kings patronized learning and literature, with their court becoming a center of Irish culture and poetry. The clan's military prowess was legendary, with their gallowglass warriors and native Irish forces defending Fermanagh against repeated invasions from rival clans and foreign armies.

Where does the name McGuire come from?

McGuire derives from Gaelic 'Mag Uidhir' meaning 'son of Odhar the pale one' or 'descendant of the dun-colored.' The name originates from the ancient Kingdom of Fermanagh, where the clan ruled as kings from their fortress on Lough Erne. This patronymic surname reflects the Gaelic tradition of identifying families through ancestral lineage, with 'Odhar' referring to a legendary warrior chieftain who established the dynasty in medieval Ulster.

The 16th century brought devastating challenges as English colonial expansion threatened McGuire sovereignty. Hugh Maguire, the last King of Fermanagh, led fierce resistance during the Nine Years' War alongside Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone. Following defeat at the Battle of Kinsale in 1601, the McGuires faced plantation and dispossession. Many clan members fled to continental Europe, joining the Irish Brigade in French service, while others remained to resist English rule. The Flight of the Earls in 1607 marked the end of Gaelic kingship, forcing McGuires to adapt to colonial realities while preserving their cultural identity and clan traditions.

Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, McGuires scattered across the globe, with many emigrating to America, Canada, and Australia during times of persecution and famine. In the New World, clan members became pioneers, soldiers, and community leaders, establishing McGuire settlements from Virginia to Nova Scotia. During the American Revolution, McGuires fought on both sides, with descendants continuing military traditions in subsequent conflicts. The Great Famine of the 1840s drove massive emigration, spreading McGuire families throughout North America and beyond. Despite dispersion, the clan maintained strong cultural connections through Irish organizations and heritage societies worldwide.

The McGuire tartan honors ancient Fermanagh royalty, weaving together centuries of Gaelic kingship and Ulster heritage in patterns worn by descendants across the globe.

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