CHARTER
The Merit Order of the Raven
The order was established on the 1st of January 2012 as a private award granted to those who bring honour and dignity to the Byrne name. It is a private award of two classes, Chief Companion and Companion.
The Patron of the Order is Lt.-Col. Charles Artaud Byrne, O’Byrne of Gabhal Raghnaill (Ranelagh), best claim hereditary Chief and Guardian of the Name.
Lt.-Col. Charles Artaud Byrne is also the senior Companion of the Order and is granted the designation, Chief Companion of the Raven and may use the post-nominal CCR.
The Chancellor with responsibility for the financial upkeep of the Order is Derek Byrne, O’Byrne of Downes – Guardian of the Name.
The Protector of the Order of the Raven is St. Benedict, said to have been protected from an assassination attempt by a raven who stole some poisoned bread intended to kill the saint.
The motto of the order is taken from words enscribed on the cross of St. Benedict “Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux, Non Draco Sit Mihi Lux”, which translated means, “May the holy cross be my light, let not the dragon be my overlord”.
The Merit Order of the Raven will be conferred on no more than 5 recipients per year. One of these awards will be specifically for bringing honour to the Byrne name in the public arena.
All recipients must be members of a Byrne Clan.
All recipients of the Merit Order of the Raven receive the designation of “Companion of the Raven” whether male or female and may use the post-nominal CR if they wish.
The Chapter of the Merit Order of the Raven is made up of the Companions of the Order who make submissions to the Chancellor before the end of October each year. New recipients are agreed by the Chapter and announced on the 1st of January each year by the Chancellor on the Finte O’Broin website.
The insignia of the Order is a solid silver medal with a raven embossed on the front surrounded by a wreath of olive branches. On the reverse is engraved the O’Byrne coat of arms with the words “Merit Order of the Raven” engraved above and below.
The insignia hangs from a red and white ribbon depicting the colours of Clan O’Byrne.
The Patron and the Chancellor wear the medals of the Patron and the Chancellor on a red and white ribbon about the neck.
These articles are agreed by the members of the Executive Committee undersigned and may be subject to review by the members of the Chapter at any time.
As witnessed by our hand and seal this day the 24th of July 2012
Lt.-Col. Charles Artaud Byrne _______________________________________
Derek J. Byrne _______________________________________
Edward Byrne Snr. _______________________________________
Edward Byrne Jnr. _______________________________________