The Council of the Order of Merit is pleased to confer the appointment as a Companion of the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit upon Mr. Tim Crowley CIOM.

Tim is a worthy recipient due to his passionate involvement in the preservation of memorabilia and material of local historical value in County Cork, particularly relating to the life and times of the late Michael Collins, one of the outstanding leaders of the War of Independence from 1919 to 1921, as well as other associated artefacts from the 1916 Rebellion and the Civil War of 1922.

Tim is also passionate about the O’Crowley Clan which nominated him for this honour. Tim operates the privately owned MICHAEL COLLINS CENTRE AND MUSEUM near Clonakilty in County Cork. He also takes parties on guided tours to the historic sites connected to Michael Collins, sharing his knowledge with a mixture of humility and passionate fervour His selfless dedication to Irish and particularly to Cork history is clearly obvious from his guided tours and presentations. These have added to the progression of cultural tourism in West Cork at a practical level as well as to the creation of a deeper understanding of the personality that was Michael Collins and the politics, at an educational level.

The Clans of Ireland Order of Merit is the ultimate accolade that can be conferred by Clans of Ireland and its constituent member clans. It is an order of merit granted to persons who have influenced Irish culture and heritage to an extraordinary degree or who have brought their Clan remarkable reverence.

The Order of Merit is awarded to a maximum of four persons each year, whose names are announced on St Patrick’s Day, 17th March. The conferring of the award to Tim Crowley as Companion of the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit will be made during the Saturday of the Annual Summit, on 6th May 2022. Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona duit féin agus do chlann chomh maith,

Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh

Cathaoirleach

Beannachtaí na Féile Bríde ort.

Today, the 1st of February, marks the ancient Gaelic festival of Imbolc, as well as being the feast of Naomh Bríd (Saint Brigid), the matron saint of Ireland. Many people in Ireland are visiting the many holy wells around the country. Some continue the custom of attaching pieces of cloth, known as a bratóg Bríde, on a bush near the well to be blessed by the saint and subsequently wearing the cloth to avail of its curative properties. The significance of the cloth is possibly due to the grudging offer of a grant of land by her father, a king, so that she could build a monastery. The offer was for an area of land over which she could spread her cloak or brat.  The cloak spread, as if magically, over a large area of County Kildare, where she and St Conleth built one of the most prestigious monasteries in the country. Another custom that continues in Ireland is hanging a St. Brigid’s Cross in houses (we have just been given a gift of one by a neighbour this afternoon). These crosses, made of rushes, have become synonymous with Ireland. Brigid, before Christianity in Ireland, was also a legendary pan-Celtic God.....

The new Clans of Ireland website is progressing, under the direction of Seán McGrath. It is hoped to have it up and running in the very near future so that membership renewal and the payment of annual subscriptions can be accommodated through this facility. The Board is particularly interested in this aspect of the website as it will facilitate GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). Therefore, we ask that you remain patient and await hearing from us before effecting your membership registration renewal.

Nominations for the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit awards must be registered with the Council of the Order of Merit no later than February 28th. Nominations, including full relevant biographies, must be submitted through the Correspondence Secretary 

post@clansofireland.ie 

and addressed, in confidence to the Council of Clans of Ireland Order of Merit. The Order of Merit is awarded to a maximum of four persons each year, whose names are announced on St Patrick’s Day, 17th March. The conferring of awards to the new Companions of the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit will be made during the Saturday of the Annual Summit, on May 5th.

The Annual Cultural Summit is to take place in Dublin on the 5th and 6th of May. The theme of this year’s Summit is "Gaelic Kindreds in Late Medieval Ireland”. You are invited to attend the unveiling of a Clans of Ireland Historical Site Plaque at the iconic Christ Church Cathedral on Friday 5th May. Dr Patrick Wallace is to perform the ceremonial unveiling. Dr Wallace, who studied Archaeology and History at University College, Galway, has been asked to perform this significant function as, having been appointed Archaeologist in the National Museum of Ireland in 1971, he was given full responsibility for the archaeological excavation of the Viking “Wood Quay – Fishamble Street” site in 1974. (Those who took the walking tour of Old Dublin on the Friday of the 2022 Cultural Summit will recall that the Wood Quay – Fishamble Street archaeological site are adjacent to Christ Church Cathedral.) After the excavations were completed Dr Wallace was appointed Director of the National Museum of Ireland in 1988.  

I would like to use this opportunity to announce the appointment of two Directors to key positions within the Board; Ms Kieran O’Dowd and Mr. Robert O’Halloran. Kieran, who has attended many Cultural Summits, takes on responsibility as Honorary Treasurer and Registration Secretary, following the retirement of Mrs Mary Carmody, while Robert takes on the onerous responsibility as Company Secretary and Director of Corporate Governance. I hope that you will join me in wishing both Kieran and Rob every success in their new roles.

I would also like to express my deep appreciation of Dan and Mary Carmody, following their retirement from the Board, for their separate considerable contributions to Clans of Ireland over the past several years. Go raibh míle maith agaibh.

Le gach dea-ghuidhe,

Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh

Cathaoirleach

13 December 2022

A Chairde,

I hope that the next three weeks, during which we observe the Winter Solstice in the Celtic tradition, when we celebrate the birth of Christ in Christian tradition, and when we proclaim the Western New Year throughout much of the World, will bring you much joy with your family and friends.

This may be the darkest period of the year, the time of year when the Sun appears to stand still (solstitium), but it also marks birth and rebirth in many cultures. It is a time of celebration for many of us, a time of feasting, music and dancing in many cultures, particularly our Irish Celtic and Christian traditions.

It is also the time of year when the Board of Directors turns its attention towards our own organisation’s annual cultural event, the Clans of Ireland Annual Cultural Summit. Cruinniú Mullaigh Cultúrtha Bliantúil is to be held on May 5th & 6th with the theme: "Gaelic Kindreds in Late Medieval Ireland”. This year the Summit will again be a hybrid event to facilitate those who can not be with us in person, but I strongly suggest that, if possible, you attend in person, so that you can develop personal contacts with other clan leaders, have greater exposure to the organisational strategies of other clans, meet some of the notable academics in our area of interest and generally connect at a social level.

I can tell you that, on the Friday, we have planned to salute the significant part that Christ Church Cathedral has played, since the 11th century, in the history of medieval Dublin and more broadly throughout Ireland’s history. A Clans of Ireland Historic Site Plaque will be unveiled at the Chapter House of the Cathedral, the venue where your Board hold its meetings, even to this day. The person most notably associated with the Cathedral is Lorcán Ua Tuathail, known in English as Laurence O'Toole (1128 – 1180). ). He was Archbishop of Dublin at the time of the Norman invasion of Ireland and played a prominent role in mediating between the parties during and after the invasion.  He was also a leading light of the Irish Church Reform Movement of the 12th century and was canonised in the early 13th century. In addition to his Uí Tuathail bloodline he was also connected to the O’Byrnes, as his mother was of this branch of the ancient Ui Dunlainge clan.

During the Summit, the Order of Merit awards, that will be announced on St Patrick’s Day, the 17th March, will be conferred on an individual or individals who have had an exceptional impact on Irish culture and heritage or who have caused remarkable distinction to be connected to their Clan name. May I suggest that you might give consideration over the holidays to possible candidates who you consider may deserve to receive such a significant award. Please let me know directly if you wish to nominate such an individual so that I can pass the details to the Council of the Order of Merit.

The winner of the 2022 Chiefs and Clans Essay Competition, Melissa Shiels of Feohanagh, County Limerick, has agreed, in conjunction with receiving her prize, to present her essay, ‘No mean diplomat the gift exchange practices of Shane O’Neill, a Renaissance Gaelic lord’, at the Annual Summit. This promises to be a reading that will be of interest to all attendees at the Summit.

The Essay Competition and the ensuing series of Anthologies has, for over a decade, while promoting scholarly research, provided fresh insight into Medieval Ireland for our Members and those among the public who are interested in Ireland’s past. However, you will, by now, also be familiar with the project, developed this year by Clans of Ireland Co-Vice Chair, Luke McInerney to transcribe and publish the ancient genealogical tract, Linea Antiqua. I hope that this finished work will provide a greater number of family historians with greater access to the genealogies that may be of interest to them. Transcription of the manuscript is slightly ahead of schedule and in the New Year the work of editing begins.  Following that the introductions and indexing will be undertaken before the work is handed over to the publisher. I would again like to thank the individuals and registered members for their generous support in subscribing to this and to those who were unable to subscribe, please be assured that you will have the opportunity of purchasing your signed copy following publication. You will be kept abreast of progress throughout the next twelve months.

Recently, on the 3rd of December, we held the second Members’ Forum by video conference under the direction of Laurie Joyce. This offered Members’ representatives an opportunity to exchange ideas and views on particular issues, or concerns, with fellow members including the Directors. Members of the Board led the topics and there followed interesting discussions among members after each presentation. It was a very worthwhile event from my perspective, as representatives could freely express views. I expect that the members' representatives will introduce topics in the future now that the style and format has become established. Indeed, a number of proposals have already been mentioned for the next Forum, which is likely to take place at the end of next June.

Your organisation continues to develop further refinement of its authentication of clans and historical families and the process of establishing the validity of historical and genealogical claims. Application for registration of new members is now undertaken by the Registration Committee, led by the Registrar, Michael O’Crowley. This involves applicants being able to provide unequivocal connection with ancestry or tuatha and subsequent diligent consideration being given to each application by each of the Registration Committee members before a decision or a request for further information is made. This provides our member organisations and other interested parties with confidence in the fundamental validity of the clans and historical families that collectively are Clans of Ireland.

Progress on the new website, initially stymied due to budgetary constraints, is advancing, under the direction of Seán McGrath, with an expectation that completion will occur in January. The most immediate change that you will experience involves membership registration renewal and annual subscription payment. It is expected that this will become much more automated and streamlined, in addition to being GDPR compliant. May I request that you wait until you hear from us in January before effecting your membership registration renewal and annual subscription payment.

I sincerely hope that this festive season will be, above all else, peaceful for you.

Le gach dea-ghui I gcomhair na Nollag agus na h-Athbhliana,

Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh

Cathaoirleach

The Archives and Records Association (UK and Ireland) has awarded the Roger Ellis Prize for outstanding contribution to archival work to the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland. All our valued partners within the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland share in the accolade. 

The Ellis Prize was set up by Roger Ellis, who served in the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives Section of Civil Affairs of the Western Allied Armies during the Second World War. Known as the ‘Monuments Men’, this group’s task was to protect cultural treasures, so far as war allowed. Ellis is noted particularly for the salvage of the library of the Colombaria Society, Florence in 1944, which held codices, incunabula, manuscripts, and books and had been damaged by a combination of explosions, fire, and rain. The links to his past work in awarding this prize to the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland are clear.

On Monday 21 November, Aideen Ireland, President of the ARA, will present the Ellis Prize to the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland. Peter Crooks will accept the award on behalf of the entire research team, our Core Partners and all Participating Institutions across Ireland and internationally.

22 July 2022

A chairde,

I am pleased to reveal that, since the announcement at the Annual Summit in April, progress relating to the transcription of Linea Antiqua has surpassed all expectations and is now ahead of schedule. I would also like to record the appreciation of the Board of Directors for the demonstration of enthusiastic support that has emanated from so many members for this project. This categorical support, reinforced by the generous financial subscription of so many, has ensured that this great genealogical source will be available to, not just the members of the clan and family organisations that collectively make up Clans of Ireland, but to all who wish to study Irish genealogy throughout the World.

There has been steadily increasing interest in the Annual Essay Competition over the years and this year there have again been more entries than ever before. In addition, I am reliably informed that the adjudication has been difficult, as many “of the essays were of fully publishable standard”. The winning essay will be announced as soon as the suggested prize-winner meets general panel approval, including, especially, an indication from the Editor of History Ireland that the essay is considered publishable in a forthcoming issue of that scholarly magazine. I expect that the public announcement of the winning essay will be made in late August or early September.

The success of the on-line Members' Forum has provided assurance to the Board that there are members who are genuinely interested in interacting with the Directors. The fact that there were not as many members in attendance as at the Annual Cultural Summit has reinforced my personal belief that our members are generally more interested in attending events in person, where the interaction can be of a more personal nature. Nevertheless, we see the value of both types of events, and I would like to thank those who were able to be with us on the 11th of June. Attendance at the Members’ Forum is free to the representatives of our member organisations and people may choose to make an oral contribution or not, as they wish. The next Forum is scheduled for the 3rd of December at 7.30 p.m. (Irish Standard Time – GMT+1) and, although some time away, I look forward to seeing you then.

I would like to reiterate my central message of the Forum that we all should make and be seen to make a virtue out of who we are, rather than being seduced by those whose foreign ancestry may be attached to a vulgar celebrity status, but whose ancestral claims may not withstand scrutiny. Let us appreciate our own culture above all others and be proud of our ancestry, whether high born or humble, because in Ireland our genealogy does not consist of so many individual family trees, but forests of oak all descending from just a few acorns. 

I recently met a pal from school, whom I had not met for about 50 years, who asked about his ancient clan from one of the most north-westly peninsulas of Ireland. He told me that he would like to be involved in their gatherings, but as they are not registered as a clan with Clans of Ireland, he wondered whether he could rely on the bona fide of the organisers. I told him that I could recall that the clan had gatherings as recently as the 1980s and that the last Chief of the Name, known to me, had died about a decade ago. That chiefly family had emigrated, as Jacobites, following the Williamite conquest, to join the forces of Spain, where they continue to live. It is so sad that the old chief’s son has not taken on the baton, and that none of this clan or historical family has registered with Clans of Ireland. The result could be that the significance of such a great clan will be largely forgotten to all but those who have an interest in Gaelic Irish history.

The overdue redevelopment of the Clans of Ireland Website is in train with an expected delivery date in October. The current website has become difficult to manage, like myself, due to age. Therefore, I hope that you will bear with us and excuse our tired old face during this period of transition.

It is not the policy of Clans of Ireland to endorse any commercial ventures, but this is an exception on every front. It would be remiss of me not to mention the publication of the hugely important contemporary translation of the Annals of Cluin Mhic Nóis as it is likely to be of interest to so many of the members of Clans of Ireland. It could hardly be described as a commercial venture as it has taken its Editor, Nollaig  Ó Muraíle CIOM, twelve years to finish this great work, but the result is a much more accessible work than its predecessor of the same name, translated by Conall Mag Eochagáin in 1627. In 2012, Dr Ó Muraíle was awarded the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit as a result of his unstinting dedication to Irish historical scholarship and now serves on the Clans of Ireland Council of the Order of Merit. Eamon De Burca CIOM is another recipient of the Order of Merit. Mr De Búrca was awarded the high honour in 2016 in recognition of his great service to those who are interested in researching Gaelic Irish history and genealogy. The Annals of Cluain Mhic Nóis is a fine example of the reference works that he has published and may be ordered from www.deburcararebooks.com.

Before I sign off, may I suggest to those who are going to be in Ireland during the middle of August that National Heritage Week will run from Saturday the 13th of August to Sunday the 21st of August. This involves events throughout the country, in every county, that will undoubtedly be of interest to you.

Lastly, I would like to announce that the date for the Clans of Ireland 2023 Cultural Summit has been set for the 5th and 6th of May. We are currently in the throes of planning a spectacular event which we hope will occur on Friday the 5th.  It is at to premature a stage to announce it yet, but I can say that it will be of such significance to Clans of Ireland that all members of Clans of Ireland would wish to be in attendance. We are also speaking to a number of eminent academics and specialist historians about their availability as lecturers on Saturday the 6th. Then, on the Saturday night, there will be the social event of the year for Irish clans men and ladies, so please do not leave it to the last minute to order in your new raiment.

Is mise le meas,

Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh

Cathaoirleach

A chara,

Whether one believes in legends and dragons or indeed whether one venerates saints is a matter of personal choice, but today we mark the 1008th anniversary of the death of one of Ireland’s most renowned celebrities, the soldier, not saint, Brian Boru, King of the Dal gCais.

I am delighted to say that, since the Annual Summit, two weeks ago, the Board has been most gratified by the enthusiastic reaction to the event.  The theme of the event ‘The destruction of so much of Ireland’s historical records 1922’ was incorporated into the two keynote lectures, “Recovering the Past: The 1766 religious census of Ireland and the digitisation of resources for historical research”, by Dr. Brian Gurrin and “The 1641 Depositions and their potential uses in family history” by Dr. Annaleigh Margey respectively. I would like to thank those who participated in this year’s summit, particularly those not normally involved with Clans of Ireland; Dr Gurrin and Dr Margey for their enlightened lectures, the two essayists, Daniel Curley and Declan Keenan for their discourse on their prize-winning essays and Hannah MacAuliffe for her insight into the Linea Antiqua project, which I will address below.

During the Summit, I was delighted to announce that Clans of Ireland has entered into a Participation Agreement of Support with “Beyond 2022: Ireland’s Virtual Record Treasury”. This is an all-island and international collaborative project, funded by the Government of Ireland, to re-create through virtual reality the Public Record Office of Ireland building, which was destroyed in the Civil War. (Beyond 2022 | Ireland's Virtual Record Treasury)

I also introduced an inter-active map relating to the position of and direction in which Clans of Ireland is going. I described how Clans of Ireland is ideologically committed to the development of an objective understanding of Ireland’s cultural philosophies, as well as the promotion and encouragement of historical research into the ancient culture and traditions of Irish clans and historical families.

Modern family names do not necessarily imply association with a clan. A clan involves a kindred group, historically bound together by association with a geographical area – the tuaithe. Some of our member organisations, who have, hitherto, been associations of people of their name, have begun the process of identifying kindred groups and historical families within their organisations. These groups, large and small, who have established an incontrovertible historical connection with their associated geographical area are the essence of Irish clans. This is the direction that Clans of Ireland is concentrated on.

I defined how Clans of Ireland also has a higher purpose than simply uniting historical families and clans, as it can serve all of the people of Ireland, indeed all Irish people across the globe, by bringing an awareness of how our history has a personal relevance for all. In my vision of the future of Clans of Ireland, an increasing emphasis will be placed on creating access to and public awareness of source material that will be available to researchers, historians, and genealogists, either privately or in libraries throughout the world, wherever there is research into Irish history. We want to promote research into historical reality rather than encouraging emotional elasticity and self-inflating illusion.

Clans of Ireland is committed to promoting public awareness of the importance of the historical and cultural material of Ireland through not only our member organisations and, in turn, through their members, but also through our ambition to become more involved in the publication of relevant historical works.

We have been involved over the past decade in awarding prizes to the winners of the Chiefs and Clans Essay Competition in conjunction with the Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains and much thanks is due to Dr Katharine Simms of Trinity College for her constant and enthusiastic support in the annual adjudication. It is therefore timely that, on this the anniversary of both the birth and anniversary of William Shakespeare, I should remind essayists and writers that this year’s entries should be e-mailed as an attached MS-Word file to: mksimms@tcd.ie to arrive by 1st June 2022.

The next step in this ambition is being developed and at the Summit, we announced our intention to republish the great medieval Gaelic genealogical tract, Linea Antiqua. This is a further advance of the Clans of Ireland commitment to historical research and is perhaps the greatest undertaking to date, in the third of a century of the organisation’s existence. Led by Luke McInerney, I hope that the manuscript will be fully transcribed by the end of this year and can go forward for publication in 2023. I would like to thank those who have already pledged their financial support and I would like to advise those who have not already done so and who may wish to, or those who wish to make an enquiry, that the closing date for receipt of Subscriber pledges is just three weeks away, on the 14th May 2022.

Last year, following becoming Cathaoirleach, I promised that we, the Board, would constructively listen to the opinions and ideas of each and every member of this continuously developing organisation, so that we can promote those concepts that advance our vision in a cooperative way. Laurie Joyce subsequently undertook the task of organising and coordinating the responses to a Members’ Survey and one of the main findings from this was the fact that you, the members, would like greater access to the Board and its members. The result of this is that we intend to hold two member conferences this year, through a video platform, at which several of the Board will be on hand to take questions from members. The first of these is due to take place on the 11th of June at 7.30 p.m. Dublin time. You will be notified closer to the time with an attendant Agenda. In the meantime, Laurie will invite you to participate in the 2022 Member’s Survey.

The redevelopment of the Website is somewhat overdue, but as a result of the generosity of some members who have become Benefactors of Clans of Ireland, a project run by Vincent O’Carroll, it has now become a real prospect. This will take some time as Seán McGrath and the Website Redevelopment Committee advance the project through the tender, design and build stages. May I ask that anyone with suggestions would contact Seán at post@clansofireland.ie

Both Seán McGrath, who is responsible for the Clans of Ireland social media and Dan Carmody, who is responsible for the traditional media, would be delighted to hear from you regarding any news stories related to the work of your clan organisation. Please contact either at post@clansofireland.ie.

I would like to publicly congratulate Mary Carmody for not only her management of the Treasury during the past year, but also taking on the role as Registration Correspondence Secretary. Her address, should you wish to expedite any Treasury or registration matters is at treasurer@clansofireland.ie.

Laurie Joyce is also currently involved in developing a cloud-based Teams communication and filing system, which will make the management of data much more secure, while being available, on a need-to-know basis to current Directors who require access. This also involves streamlining the annual registration process.

So, much is happening, and much more will happen, including work on confirmation of the fundamentals of Clans of Ireland, involving issues relating to registration and membership ethos, led by Michael O Crowley.

I would like to reiterate my appreciation of my colleagues on the Board, their dedication to Clans of Ireland and its members and particularly their display of trust in me by re-electing me as Cathaoirleach.

Lastly, you will undoubtedly share my sense of deep gratitude toward Cathaoir O Tighearnaigh CIOM for his outstanding contributions to Clans of Ireland in his many senior roles within the Board over the past two decades, most recently as Runai na Cuideachta and Corporate Governance Advisor. He now bows out, with grace, to catch up on his commitment to The O'Tierney Clans Society. I and the entirety of Clans of Ireland will miss his sage advice and suggest to you that, like the legendry soldier who became St George and whose feast day is this the 23rd of April, Cathaoir can be described as a man of the highest distinction whose reputation will endure within and beyond Clans of Ireland.

Is mise le meas,

Le gach dea-ghuidhe,

Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh

Cathaoirleach

The Council of the Order of Merit is pleased to confer the appointment as a Companion of the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit upon Mr. Conor Mac Hale CIOM.

Conor, a native speaker, author and editor is passionate about the clan’s revival movement indicated by his extensive involvement with the O'Dubhda Clan, who nominated him for this honour.

Conor has written, published and contributed to a wide range of books, articles and pamphlets and has shared his expertise with ardent enthusiasm and devotion to Irish cultural matters through lectures and presentations that have contributed to the development tourism and an ever-deepening global interest in Irish history and heritage. Conor has also had a long involvement with Clans of Ireland since its inception, including a period as a member of the Board of Directors.  

The Clans of Ireland Order of Merit is the highest honour that can be bestowed by Irish Clans. It is an order of merit conferred on individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to Irish culture and heritage or who have brought conspicuous honour to their Clan name.

The Order of Merit is awarded to a maximum of four persons each year, whose names are announced on St Patrick’s Day, 17th March. The conferring of awards to the new Companions of the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit will be made during the Saturday of the Annual Summit, on 9th April 2022.

Lá fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh go léir.

The O'Driscoll Clan have announced their Clan Gathering 2002. The Gathering will take place from the 23rd - 26th June 2022.

For further information and contact details, please follow the link to their website at: www.odriscoll.ie

A Cháirde,

An Cruinniú Mullaigh Cultúrtha Bliantúil 2022

This past week has brought government announcements of the easing of Covid restrictions throughout Ireland. This means that we can announce that the Annual Cultural Summit will take place in the Stephen's Green Club in Dublin, without regulatory restrictions as to capacity, on April 8th and 9th. We hope that this gives ample opportunity for those who travel from abroad to make arrangements, particularly with the prevailing lower than normal fares.

Final plans for the event in a physical and video conference form are being drawn up and will be announced over the coming weeks. This year’s Summit is to be themed on the destruction of the Public Records and State Papers in 1922 that had been collected since the 13th century and were held in an ad hoc office at the Four Courts. Two speakers have confirmed their availability: Dr Peter Crooks, Associate Professor of Medieval History at TCD and “Director of Beyond 2022: Ireland’s Virtual Record Treasury” and Dr Annaleigh Margey, Acting Head of Department of Humanities at Dundalk Institute of Technology who was part of the transcription project at TCD on the 1641 depositions.

It is anticipated that this year, given that quite a number of people had indicated their intention to attend before the date was announced, the Cultural Summit will provide a first-in recent-times opportunity for many to combine an intellectually stimulating conference with a glamorous social event, the Annual Clans of Ireland Dinner on April 9th. This may result in pressure on the available capacity, so I would urge those who are intent on attending to indicate this to the Clans of Ireland Correspondence Secretary as early as possible, advising of the number in your party and the Clan that you represent. Those on this list will be advised first when the online booking system is opened.

There will also be an opportunity, for those who have not already done so, to purchase a copy of the recently launched anthology of essays for the Irish Chiefs’ and Clans’ prize in history, Gaelic Ireland (c.600-c.1700) Lordship, saints and learning, with one, if not both editors in attendance to inscribe your copy.

I very much look forward to meeting you there.

Finte na hÉireann Ord Fiúntais.

Nominations for the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit awards must be registered with the Council of the Order of Merit no later than February 28th. Nominations, including full relevant biographies, must be submitted through the Correspondence Secretary post@clansofireland.ie and addressed, in confidence to the Council of Clans of Ireland Order of Merit.

The Order of Merit is awarded to a maximum of four persons each year, whose names are announced on St Patrick’s Day, 17th March. The conferring of awards to the new Companions of the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit will be made during the Saturday of the Annual Summit, on April 9th.

Táim ag tnúth go mór le bualadh leat ag an gcruinniú mullaigh.

Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh

The O Mahony Society is cautiously optimistic and delighted to announce our plans for our 2022 Gathering.  The details are as follows:

Dates:  17-19 June 2022

Venue:  Coolcower House, Macroom, Co. Cork (www.coolcowerhouse.ie)

Contact:  Linda McConnell Baker, Runai

Email:  Lbaker8@ec.rr.com

Clan website:  www.omahonysociety.com

15 December 2021

A Cháirde,

I hope that, wherever you are in the World, you will be able to celebrate this Winter Solstice in the Celtic tradition or this Christmas in the Christian tradition, with comparatively more familial intimacy and cordiality than we were able to last year. The two celebrations involve birth, with Celts celebrating the birth of another year, while Christians celebrate the birth of Christ. Both are integral to Irish culture and provide an occasion for feasting and congregating with our families.

It is the time of year that many of us pause to assess our lives, while looking to the future with hope for extended light, accompanied by advantageous weather for tilling ground and grazing animals.

It is also the time that the Board of Directors of Clans of Ireland turns its attention toward the Annual Cultural Summit (an Cruinniú Mullaigh Cultúrtha Bliantúil). It is hoped that it will be possible to hold a hybrid of our traditional style of physical event, with complimentary video conferencing, on the weekend of April 8th and 9th.  However, given the fluctuating nature of the potency of Covid variants, it is clearly too early to be absolutely certain of what we will be able to do. In any event, we will hold a video Summit, as was done in 2019 and 2020, on that weekend. Should we be able to hold a physical event and should the restrictions that are currently in place remain until April, we are likely to be restricted to 50% of the normal total capacity. We will monitor developments over the coming weeks and months so that, in addition to adhering to Irish Government guidelines, the over-arching guiding principle in organising the Summit will be to ensure the welfare of our members and guests. The theme of the 2022 Cultural Summit is ‘The anniversary of the terrible fire, at the Four Courts, of June 30th, 1922, which, over seven centuries, destroyed much of Ireland's historical memory’, with emphasis on a recognition of what was destroyed and how this has impacted on the research of Irish historians and clansmen.

In addition, the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit awards, to be announced on St Patrick’s Day, 17th March, will be conferred on individuals who have had an exceptional impact on Irish culture and heritage or who have caused remarkable respect and distinction to be connected to their Clan name. Since its establishment, the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit has become recognised as the most prestigious award for exceptional individual contributions to Irish culture and heritage. The presentation to the new Companions of the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit will be made during the Annual Summit.

Just as we may personally assess our own lives, it is also crucial that any vibrant organisation, whether a business or a not-for-profit, assesses its purpose and its values regularly, if it is to flourish. To not understand what an organisation’s purpose is and to not have coherent principles would cause organisational destruction. Clans of Ireland must always keep its purpose within sight and pursue this with resolve. Should modification be sought it should be done with the utmost objectivity and should be clarified effectively to all stakeholders, particularly those with a primary interest, the members. Clarifying fundamental purposes involves an organisational self-confidence that allows it to develop further. In my opinion, Clans of Ireland has established a vibrancy that, if appropriately harnessed, will energise its development to another level as an essential pillar of Irish culture.

A clarification of the ethos of Clans of Ireland has been prepared by an ad hoc Ethos Committee of the Board and is to be circulated in the New Year. This is intended to provide a more in-depth understanding of medieval and late medieval kindred group structures in Gaelic Ireland. In addition, it will afford a clearer appreciation of the honour and reputational integrity that is involved for those clans and historical families that have been accepted as members of Clans of Ireland. This clarification may also offer inspiration to clansmen who may wish to show their appreciation of someone, possibly within their own organisation, who may have brought about conspicuous recognition to their historical family or clan and who, it may be felt, are deserving of a nomination to the Order of Merit.

The winner of the 2021 Chiefs and Clans Essay Competition, Declan Keenan, attended the recent launch of "Gaelic Ireland (c.600 - c.1700) Lordship, saints and learning", the anthology of best of the best essays of the competition during the years 2018 to 2020. He has agreed to present his essay, ‘An Inauguration of a MacWilliam Íochtair at Rausakeera (Mayo) during the Nine Years War’ at the Annual Summit. Having read his essay, I am greatly looking forward to his presentation.

At this time, as this year draws to a close, our thoughts turn to those who we have lost from Clans of Ireland during the past twelve months. It is undoubtedly the case that most members mourn the loss of Dr. Michael Egan, former Cathaoirleach, whose death occurred while still a member of the Clans of Ireland Board of Directors. There were also many others, whose death occurred during 2021 and whose passing we mourn. Our sympathy goes out to their families and friends.  

I sincerely hope that this festive season will be, above all else, peaceful for you.

With Best Wishes for Christmas & the New Year,

Le gach dea-ghui I gcomhair na Nollag agus na h-Athbhliana,

Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh

Cathaoirleach

The Order of Clans of Ireland is the highest honour that can be bestowed by Irish Clans. It is an order of merit conferred on individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to Irish culture and heritage or who have brought conspicuous honour to their Clan name. Nominations are submitted to Order's Council and the names of those who are successfully chosen are announced on the 17th March (St. Patrick's Day) each year.

Clans of Ireland is pleased to announce the election of Mr. Michael O'Crowley) as Cathaoirleach of the Order of Merit council and the appointment of Dr. Edward Walsh as an Order of Merit council member.

We wish them every success in their roles.

The Clan Joyce of Ulster hosted their first online gathering on Saturday 13th November 2021. The presentation detailing the origins of the Ulster-Scots JOyces, their septs and the current DNA study is available at the link below:

Clan Joyce of Ulster - Online Gathering Presentation 

It is with incredible sadness that the death is announced of the former Cathaoirleach of Clans of Ireland Dr. Michael J.S. Egan and Taoiseach Clan Mac Aodhagáin Uí Maine. He died on the 9th September 2021, peacefully at his home in Dublin.

The Board of Clans of Ireland, wishes to express its collective condolences to his wife Terry and his children Katrina, Michelle, Cormac, Lorraine and Kevin.

Michael will also be deeply missed by the and the wide spectrum of organised Irish clans, which he helped organise and, indeed, led for many years.

Michael was such a vibrant force in so many people’s lives, including all of those who knew him within Clans of Ireland and especially those of us who were privileged to have worked with him on the Board. Michael’s philosophical attitude was the foundation of his leadership. He remained very active on the Board, including in his role leading the Council of the Order of Merit, until almost his final breath, when illness overcame him.

During his tenure as Cathaoirleach he oversaw the introduction of the contemporary Clans of Ireland website, an area that he understood more than most, as he practiced and lectured as an engineer during his long career.  It was also during his term in office that Clans of Ireland entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. The historic MOU was signed by Michael, as Cathaoirleach.

Michael will be remembered as being one of the most steadfast and longest serving Members of the Board of Clans of Ireland.

Funeral arrangements can be found by following the link here: 

https://rip.ie/death-notice/michael-egan-terenure-dublin/469264 

Ar dheis Dé go raibh uasal,

Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh

Cathaoirleach
Finte na hÉireann 

This year the Kilbarron Castle Conservation Group are holding a virtual Heritage Week over three events.

Starting on Sunday 15th August at 1pm with a talk on the Geo-physical survey of Kilbarron Castle which the group commissioned in 2019 and is being given by Heather Gimson from Earthsound Geo-physics.

The next event continues on Wednesday 18th August at 8pm with a slide show of the ruins of Kilbarron Church.

The week’s events ends on Sunday 22nd August at 1PM with a video from the Heritage Week 2019 boat trip showing the ruins of Kilbarron Castle from the seaward side.

All these events are free. To book your place, send an email to registration@kilbarroncastle.org and they will email you the Zoom meeting details.

The 2021 Summer Newsletter from Summer letter from An Cathaoirleach, Chair of Clans of Ireland is now available at the link below:

Clans of Ireland Summer Newsletter 2021

Dr. Katharine Simms, Chair of the Chiefs and Clans Essay Competition, has announced that the winner of the Prize for 2021 is Declan Keenan of Baltinglass, County Wicklow. The Competition is jointly sponsored by Clans of Ireland and the Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains.

Dr Simms, retired senior Lecturer in Medieval History at Trinity College Dublin, expressed her delight at the combination of original research and intelligent analysis used in the winning essay, An Inauguration of a MacWilliam Íochtair at Rausakeera (Mayo) during the Nine Years War. Tommy Graham, editor of History Ireland has also endorsed the winning essay, commenting that it is intended that it will be published in the Nov/Dec '21 issue of History Ireland. The magazine, by coincidence, is due to have an article on the wreck of the Armada along the Irish coast, which is mentioned within the essay, in the preceding issue, which is mentioned here.

Declan will be presented with his prize of €500 and the Ó Ceallaigh Dal gCais Perpetual Cup in November at the launch of the publication of the collected publishable essays entered into the Competition during the past three years. Previous essays written by Declan have been published in the first and second volumes of anthologies of previous essays , ‘Gaelic Ireland (c. 600 – c. 1700): politics, culture and landscapes’ and ‘Politics, kinship and culture in Gaelic Ireland, c. 1100 - c. 1690’. In preparation for his Master’s degree, Declan researched the tower-houses of Connacht and the Burke lords who built them. His essay will appeal to those with an interest, not just in the history of Connacht, but will also appeal to those interested in the detail of life in Gaelic Ireland.

Due to Covid restrictions, the Nolan Clan has decided to postpone its September 2021 Gathering. However, the Nolan Clan will host its inaugural ZOOM conference on the 13th June 2021 at 7:30pm (19:30) Dublin; 2:30pm (14:30) US New York; 4:30am (04:30) Melbourne. The Nolan Clan look forward to welcoming you!

The featured speaker will be Dr. Mary Beth Zeni, ScD, RN, EBP-C, and Associate Professor at Ursuline College in Ohio.

Professor Zeni has conducted archival research in Ireland and the UK regarding the role of the Irish Sisters of Mercy and Florence Nightingale in the field hospitals of the Crimean War (1853-1856). Professor Zeni will present on the role the Sisters of Mercy played and their influence on wartime nursing practice and will also touch on Captain Louis Nolan who was tragically killed in the legendary Charge of the Light Brigade.

The Nolan Clan especially invite medical professionals to join them in this fascinating presentation and anyone with a military history background or any family connection to Capt. Nolan.

Topic: Irish Sisters of Mercy, Florence Nightingale, Capt. Louis Nolan in the Crimean War (1853-1856)

Join Zoom Meeting by clicking this URL link or by clicking the button below:

https://clermontmusic.us16.list-manage.com/track/click...

Meeting ID: 747 714 9862

The Mícheál Uí Cléirigh Virtual Summer School will take place this year from the 6th-9th May. The theme for this year's Summer School is: 'Women in Turbulent Times, 1551-1651'.

Here is our programme for this year. Please click these session titles to see the details.

Thursday 6th May: Opening Session & ‘Gráinne Mhaol’

Friday 7th May :  Logainmneacha – Local townland or place names plus Primary School Art Winners

Saturday 8th May : The First Duchess of Ormonde

Sunday 9th May :  Daughters of the first Earl of Cork

Registration and attending these sessions is free and participation is via ZOOM.

To book your place for this event please click on the link below:
https://mocleirigh.ie/how-to-book-2021/

The Clans of Ireland YouTube channel is now live and our first video lecture, recorded at the Cultural Summit has been posted. The video is of Luke McInerney's presentation on the Learned Families of Western Ireland. Further videos on topics including 'Irish Heraldry: The Laws of Arms' by Michael O'Crowley and 'The Tower Houses of Ireland' by Finola Finlay will be added in the coming days. 

Please click on the link below to access the YouTube channel and please do subscribe to the channel to receive updates of future video posts.  Please also feel free to share the video amongst your Clan organisations and notify them of our new YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVzVDu1kYs45nfgT1aStDDg

A dhuine uisle,

I have been surprised and greatly honoured to have been again elected as Cathaoirleach (Chairman) of the Board of Clans of Ireland. My initial reaction is that I have been asked to lead a great team into what beckons as a bright future for the increasingly popular clan revival movement.

I would like to begin by congratulating my immediate predecessor, Nora Keohane-Hickey, on her guidance through the Pandemic. During this awful period, your Board has continued to meet and work virtually. I would also like to thank Dr Joe Mannion for his significant contribution during his terms as Chair and Vice-Chair.

I take this opportunity to publicly thank Dr. Michael Egan for his many years of dedication to Clans of Ireland and particularly his guidance of the Board during his term as Chairman. During his term, a link was established with our Gaelic brethren in Scotland when a Memorandum of Understanding was effected between the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs and Clans of Ireland, in which it was agreed that both would respect and promote the others’ objectives. Michael, with James O’Higgins Norman as Vice-Chair, was also inseparably linked with the promotion of the Order of Merit. While he was Chairman both our Patron, President Michael D Higgins and our former President, Mary McAleese were appointed as Companions of the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit.

Further links that have subsequently been developed include the descendants of the Wild Geese and The Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains. Board Member, Michael O’Crowley, who lives in France, brought about the visit of a group of Wild Geese descendants in 2015. Subsequently, in 2018, Conor, The O’Brien, direct descendant of Brian Boru, endorsed a Memorandum of Understanding with Clans of Ireland, on behalf of The Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains. The SCoICC have consequently been provided with a permanent seat on the Board of Clans of Ireland, ensuring that the voices of the hereditary chiefs will continue to be heard. It is as a result of both organisations’ objective to promote and encourage historical research that we agreed to jointly sponsor the annual Chiefs’ and Clans’ Essay Prize, which has been adjudicated on by a panel led by Dr. Katharine Simms of the History Department of Trinity College Dublin. An Anthology of the outstanding essays during the past three years is currently being edited by Dr Simms and recently elected Board Member and published historian, Luke McInerney. It will be published at the end of 2021 and will be available through Clans of Ireland or the publisher Wordwell Press. We will keep you informed prior to the publication.

I would particularly like to thank Michael O’Crowley and Cathaoir O Tighearnaigh for their sterling work relating to the preservation and enhancement of the highest standards for members, which I hope will continue, until the ethos of Clans of Ireland is more clearly expressed within our own and our individual Members’ websites and publicly available promotional material. I would like to reflect on the fact that Clans of Ireland is an association of Irish clans and historical families, including, not just noble and chiefly families, but also the far more numerous families that are associated in history with a particular geographic region. It is the fundamental virtue of being an Irish clan or historical family that is, in fact, the essential characteristic of being a member of Clans of Ireland. Irish heritage does not include artificial, alien, or inappropriate influences and their adoption or usage is disparate or in some cases antithetical to our culture.

It is just coming up to eighteen months since we lost perhaps our most endearing Member of the Board, Dan McGrath, Ceann Fine of the McGrath Clan of Thomond. His death has not simply been of enormous consequence to me personally, but to Clans of Ireland as a whole. He, with our Webmaster, Brendan Lynch, formed a wonderful team as they developed a media platform that brought our communication system into the Twenty-first Century era of technology. Together, they were the engine that drove our public relations, with Dan on the stage while Brendan operated the backstage mechanics. The baton of Public Relations has now passed to another McGrath, the newly elected Board Member, Seán Alexander McGrath, who represents the McGrath of Ulster Clan.

It is unlikely that you will not have received correspondence from Michael Dixon over the years since he, so ably, took on the task of corresponding with the numerous people, both Members and non-Members, who need direction relating to their clan affairs. I would like to express my profound gratitude to him for the serene quality of understanding that flows from his quill.

Over the past three years, Dr Vincent O’Carroll has been instrumental in developing an alternative source of revenue, Friends of Clans of Ireland. This provides individuals or associations who wish to support our work, by becoming a Benefactor, with an opportunity to receive an impressive certificate of recognition. The Roll of Benefactors includes Dr Gary O’Sullivan, Patron of the O’Sullivan of Munster Clan, the Fitzpatrick Clan and the O’Dea Clan.

You will undoubtedly share with me in thanking Maura O’Gara O’Riordan and Cathaoir O Tighearnaigh for their outstanding contributions to Clans of Ireland in their respective roles as Registrar and Honorary Company Secretary. They have both served uninterruptedly and unstintingly in two of the most demanding roles within the Board for, not years, but decades. They both have our deepest gratitude.

I realise that it may be somewhat late to publicly acknowledge the work that Cathaoir’s daughter Orlaith did while on the Board. During her term on the Board, which I hope has only been interrupted by a requirement to concentrate for her professional exams, she served as Hon. Treasurer. Her work, like her father’s, was always so professionally prepared and presented precisely without vacillation. I would like to echo my predecessor’s expression of thankfulness with the additional wish that Orlaith make her return to the Board once she has successfully completed her studies.

The position of Hon. Treasurer, that Orlaith served in so well, has recently been taken up by Mary Carmody, with whom you were introduced, with her husband Dan, at the Annual General Meeting. Dan has taken on responsibility as the Press Officer. I would like to wish Mary and Dan every success in their respective roles.

I am delighted to be able to announce an infusion of further new blood, bringing new ideas and vitality to the Board. Luke McInerney, who dleivered on of the key-note lectures at this year’s Cultural Summit, Seán Alexander McGrath, Shane O’Dea and Laurie Joyce have all joined the Board.

Shane O’Dea has finally, to my delight, agreed to join the Board. He has, for many years, been attending and participating at all Clans of Ireland summits and conferences, as one of the representatives of the active O’Dea Clan. The most recent appointment to the Board occurred at the A.G.M. when Laurie Joyce was elected. I have had the particular pleasure of being able to spend time in Laurie’s company during the 2019 Cultural Summit when he travelled from Australia, where he lives.

I would like to congratulate Éamon Lankford CIOM and Jerry McKenna CIOM who were appointed as the 2021 Companions of the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit for their outstanding contributions to Irish clan culture. It is unfortunate that there was no ceremony to mark the occasion, but perhaps, we will soon overcome this awful pandemic and arrange to formally present the recipients with their distinguished honours.

Finally, and arguably most importantly, I would like to acknowledge the honour bestowed on Clans of Ireland through the longstanding Patronage of President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins.

I have previously made the point that membership of Clans of Ireland involves not only conforming to, but also understanding the core principles of the organisation and vibrantly participating in promoting them. I intend that we should continue with even greater emphasis our focus on our core ideology, which I would like to think, would reflect the wishes of the majority of Members. I would also like to promote a greater degree of engagement by Members through any channel, including social media platforms.  

Is mise le meas,

Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh

Cathaoirleach

The first of our Lectures at the Clans of Ireland Cultural Summit, given by Luke McInerney is  titled 'Medieval Learned Families of the West of Ireland'.

Luke McInerney is an independent researcher with a particular focus on the late medieval history of Gaelic Ireland. His ancillary interests include the economic and social structure of medieval lordships in Ireland; the medieval Gaelic church; and the role and function of the learned class in Gaelic Ireland. He has published in local, national and international historical journals and his book entitled, Clerical and learned lineages of Medieval Co. Clare: A survey of the fifteenth-century papal registers was published by Four Courts Press in 2014. In addition to his focus on Irish medieval history, he has a general interest in Eastern and Central European political history and contemporary economics.

Born in Victoria in Australia, he has lived and worked in Ukraine and Russia and more recently in London and Dublin. He has held positions at the Australian Federal Treasury in Canberra (2004-8); HM Treasury in London, (2008-10); the Legal Services Board in London (2010-14); the UK Civil Aviation Authority (2015-2018) in London and, currently, at the Central Bank of Ireland in Dublin.

Luke was recently co-opted on to the Board of Directors of Clans of Ireland.

In continuance of the historic relationship between Spain and Ireland, The María Zambrano Centre of Transatlantic Studies UMA-ATECH of the University of Málaga has awarded the first Kate O'Brien Prize of the Centre of Transatlantic Studies of the University of Málaga to Pilar Iglesias Aparicio, doctor in English Philology from the UMA.

For further details, in Spanish, see: -
https://www.uma.es/amzet/noticias/pilar-iglesias-aparicio-gana-el-premio-kate-obrien-del-aula-maria-zambrano-de-estudios-transatlanticos-de-la-universidad-de-malaga-con-un-trabajo-sobre-la-represion-de-las-mujeres-en-espana-e-irlanda/

The following individuals are appointed as Companions of the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit as of 17 March 2021:

• Mr Éamon Lankford CIOM
• Lt. Colonel Jerry McKenna USAF (Retired) CIOM

The RJ Hunter Research Bursaries scheme has recently opened at the Royal Irish Academy.
The scheme was founded in 2014  in honour of the late R.J. (Bob) Hunter who was a highly respected historian of the Ulster Plantation and offers support for research into aspects of Ulster History during the period 1500-1800.

 All details are here:
https://www.ria.ie/grants-and-awards/rj-hunter-research-bursary-scheme

Grants will be made in the region of €2,000 - €2,500 and most importantly the closing date is 17th December  2020.

The following individuals are appointed as Companions of the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit as of 17 March 2020:

• Mr Stephen V Boylan CIOM
• Mr Denis Hoban CIOM
• Mr Dan McGrath CIOM

Unfortunately, due to the pandemic COVID 19 virus we have had to cancel our AGM and the awards will be made as soon as it is safe to do so. All will be notified as soon as we have set a new date.

Fall 2020 
The O'Shaughnessy of Kiltartan - Ó Seachnasaigh Cill Tartan Society has sent along a copy of its current Newsletter [Fall 2020] to COI.

For further information please contact: -
O'Shaughnessy of Kiltartan - Ó Seachnasaigh Cill Tartan
dkos@btinternet.com
Or view their Website at: -
http://www.oshaughnessysociety.org/

It is with a heavy heart that I share the sad and shocking news of the sudden passing of our friend and colleague on the Board of Directors of Clans of Ireland, Dan McGrath, Ceann Fine the McGrath Clan of Thomond. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lijana, his daughter Olivia, and his extended family at this most difficult of times. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal! May he rest in eternal peace!

The 2020 Annual General Meeting has been set by the board for

Saturday 18th April 2020

VENUE

The Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club, 9 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2.

We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on the day.

The following individuals are appointed as Companions of the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit as of 22 March 2019:

• Dr Katharine Simms CIOM
• Dr Diarmuid Ó Mathúna CIOM

Patrick McDonagh, winner of the Chiefs’ and Clans’ Prize for History in 2018, is organising a lecture series in Trinity College Dublin later this month, which he would like to bring to the attention of the Member Clans of Clans of Ireland. In particular, the lecture by Dr Hiram Morgan of UCC on the collapse of Gaelic Ireland on Friday 29 March might be of interest.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2303426476343572/?ti=cl

The Royal Irish Academy has informed us that they intend to offer the Eoin O'Mahony Bursary for Irish History Projects.

This Bursary is open to all Candidates engaged in historical research on subjects of Irish interest, including family history projects, particularly those associated with the 'Wild Geese', and covers the costs of consulting sources not available in Ireland.

For details please refer to: -

https://www.ria.ie/grants-and-awards/eoin-omahony-bursary-irish-history

Clans of Ireland welcomes and wishes The Royal Iish Academy all good fortune with this project.

The Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains and Clans of Ireland, in association with the History Department of Trinity College, Dublin and History Ireland magazine, are offering a prize of €500 to the winning entrant in an essay competition on Gaelic Ireland. For further details, see http://www.tcd.ie/history/irishclansandchiefsprize.php.

The winner of the 2018 Chiefs’ and Clans’ Essay Competition on Gaelic Ireland was announced recently by Dr Katherine Simms of Trinity College Dublin, who is Chair of the adjudication panel. Patrick McDonagh, a postgraduate student of History at TCD, was declared the outright winner from among this year’s entrants.

The winning essay, entitled ‘Muirchú and the history of fifth-century Ulster’, will feature in the forthcoming November/December issue of History Ireland. The winner will receive his prize at a special ceremony on Saturday 13 April next in the Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club, Dublin, during the 2019 Clans of Ireland Annual General Meeting and Conference.

The substantial cash prize of €500 is jointly sponsored by The Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains and Clans of Ireland, and the competition is run in association with the History Department of Trinity College Dublin and History Ireland magazine.

Dwayne O'Neill, Fred Mulholland, Sean O'Neill and Ed O'Neill

The O'Neill's were the last great defenders of the Gaelic tradition in Ireland and is one of the oldest surnames in Europe dating from 950's AD. However, the clan predates this by many hundreds if not thousands of years. Since the Flight of the Earls in 1607, O'Neill's have been disbursed within Ireland and all over the world on many occasions.

The O'Neill DNA project has taken the known genealogy of this ancient and royal family and is successfully matching DNA to the various branches and septs of the family including the Tyrone, Clanaboy and Fews O'Neill's.

The presentation will tie in the latest Y STR and SNP DNA test results from the FT DNA O'Neill Surname Project to the main O'Neill lines and septs.

Our Patron, the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins invited two Board members from Clans of Ireland to a concert, held at Áras an Uachtaráin, on the 1st July 2018. Dr Joseph Mannion (Cathaoirleach) and Sorcha Ní Dhomhnaill attended as our representatives. President and Sabina Higgins had invited representatives from a large number of organisations of which the President is a Patron to Áras an Uachtaráin for this special event, paying tribute to the valuable work done by civil society organisations in Ireland. You can read more about the event on the official presidential website https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-hosts-a-concert-for-orga...

It was a glorious summer’s evening upon arrival at the Áras at 6.00 pm. It began with an extensive tour of both house and gardens. Everyone was exclusively welcomed by the President and his wife Sabina, who were happy to leisurely engage in conversation as well as pose for photographs, with all their guests. An array of appetising canapés and customary refreshments were served, while a proficient Jazz band evoked an eclectic atmosphere with their acoustics.

At 8.00 pm, all guests were inside the Marquee for the highlight of the evening, hosted by Eileen Dunne, from RTÉ, as guest compere. President Michael D. Higgins made his open address, followed by an evocative musical performance, from RTÉ’s National Symphony Orchestra. David Brophy was the conductor, and everyone enjoyed the accompaniment of young players from the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland.

Two contemporary Irish poets, namely Theo Dorgan and Paula Meehan, delivered live readings of their latest works. A group of young musicians, Navá, who explore the relationship between the ancient musical cultures of Ireland and Persia, entertained the audience with a sample of their folk/ bluegrass music.

Other young Irish artists who performed on the night were the violinist, Michelle McCarthy, the soprano, Rachel Croash and pianist, Finghin Collins. The crescendo of the evening was the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra’s exemplary rendition of ‘Mise Éire’, by popular Irish composerSeán Ó Riada.

After the entertainment, guests returned to The Garden Party, enjoying more canapés and refreshments, while the President and his wife Sabina mingled with guests until 10.00 pm. It was an outstanding evening, which showcased the very best of Irish culture, highlighting the youth of Ireland, a cause the President and his wife have always promoted.

You can see some more pictures of the event HERE

The inaugural Clans of Ireland Historical Site Plaque was unveiled at Dysert O'Dea Castle, Co. Clare, by Dan McGrath, Clans of Ireland Historical Sites Committee Chairman and Joan Koechig, Chieftain of the O'Dea Clan. The event coincided with the 10th International O'Dea Clan Gathering in nearby Ennis and the commemoration of 700th anniversary of the Battle of Dysert O'Dea. 

This is the first of a number of locations around the country which have been deemed Historical Sites. Plaques will be unveiled at a number of other sites over the next twelve months. This will be followed by the launch of a Historical Sites Trail. There was a large crowd present for the unveiling of the inaugural plaque, including several members of the O'Dea Clan from around the world, who had gathered in their ancestral county of Clare for the O'Dea Clan festival of heritage, genealogy and culture. 

Speaking at the unveiling of the plaque, Dan McGrath acknowledged the great work being carried out by Irish Clans, outlining the value of gatherings such as the O'Dea Clan Gathering in linking Ireland with its diaspora. He highlighted the tremendous efforts of the various clan committees around the country who host gatherings, the vast majority of the work being done on a voluntary basis.

Before he ended, Mr McGrath said that he was 'delighted to unveil the plaque at Dysert O'Dea Castle on behalf of Clans of Ireland on such a special occasion, commemorating a key event in Irish history'.

Pictured at the launch of Politics, kinship and culture in Gaelic Ireland, c.1100–c.1690 were (L-R) Conor, The O'Brien, Minister Ciarán Cannon TD, An tUasal Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh and Dr Joseph Mannion.

A wide-ranging and informative anthology of essays dealing with the history and culture of Gaelic Ireland was officially launched by Ciarán Cannon TD, Minister for the Diaspora and International Development, during the Clans of Ireland 2018 Annual Conference in The Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club, Dublin on Saturday 14 April. Entitled Politics, kinship and culture in Gaelic Ireland, c.1100–c.1690, this much-anticipated publication was co-edited by Dr Joseph Mannion and Dr Katharine Simms.

The book comprises sixteen papers emanating from an annual essay competition on Gaelic Ireland, jointly sponsored by The Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains and Clans of Ireland, in conjunction with the History Department of Trinity College Dublin and History Ireland magazine. The works represent the winning entries and superior quality essays from 2013 to 2016, and cover the period from the twelfth to the seventeenth centuries. The study themes vary from political and social history to kinship and culture, relating to a selection of Gaelic Irish, Anglo-Norman and Scottish population groups who shared the island.

This is the second volume in the series, the first being Gaelic Ireland (c.600-c.1700): politics, culture and landscapes, which was edited by Katharine Simms and published in 2013. It was the product of a competition initiated by The Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains, with the object of encouraging research into Gaelic Ireland among postgraduate historians and independent researchers. In 2013, Clans of Ireland became involved in the project, and has since then actively promoted and jointly sponsored the annual essay competition, leading to the publication of this second anthology. For a list of contents and a facility to purchase the book, see https://wordwellbooks.com/book-catalogue/History?product_id=1836.

Photo above: Tuam librarian, Ruairí Ó hAodha, winner of the 2017 Chiefs’ and Clans’ Essay Competition, receiving his prize and trophy during the 2018 Clans of Ireland AGM and Conference in Dublin. Also in the picture are (L-R) Dr Joe Mannion, Minister Ciarán Cannon TD, Ms Maura O’Gara-O’Riordan, An tUasal Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh and Conor, The O’Brien.

The Irish Chiefs’ and Clans’ Prize in History for 2017 was presented at the Clans of Ireland AGM and Conference in The Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club, Dublin on Saturday 14 April 2018. The recipient, Ruairí Ó hAodha, a librarian in Tuam, Co. Galway, had earlier been declared the winner by the chief adjudicator of the competition, Dr Katharine Simms of the History Department, Trinity College Dublin. The prize-winning essay was entitled “‘A very sufficient scholar”: Isaac Lally, Ireland’s Stuart schoolmaster’.

Entries for this prestigious competition came from all over the country, dealing with aspects of the political, social or cultural history of Gaelic Ireland, such as kingship, lordship, land-holding, genealogy and family history. The annual competition is organised and jointly sponsored by The Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains and Clans of Ireland, in association with the History Department of Trinity College, Dublin and History Ireland magazine. For further details, see https://www.tcd.ie/history/irishclansandchiefsprize.php.

The following individuals are appointed as Companions of the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit as of 17th March 2018:

• Mr Fergus Kavanagh CIOM - sponsored by the Caomhánach Laighean Clan
• Mr Eamon Madden CIOM - sponsored by the Fagan – Ó Faodhagáin clan
• Mr Thomas Weadock CIOM - sponsored by the Weadick MacMurrough – Mac Mhadóc mac Murchadha Clan

on the day that's in it may we wish the above congratulations and to one & all Beannachtaí ar Lá Féile Naomh Padraig libh.

The Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains and Clans of Ireland, in association with the History Department of Trinity College, Dublin and History Ireland magazine, are offering a prize of €500 to the winning entrant in an essay competition on Gaelic Ireland. For further details, see http://www.tcd.ie/history/irishclansandchiefsprize.php.

A Cháirde,

Christmas is here and I sincerely hope that it will be, above all else, peaceful for you. It is a time when families and friends come together. It is, of course, a Christian festival, celebrating a family’s togetherness and the birth of their baby.

Early Christians ingeniously used the very ancient and globally widespread celebration of renewal and rebirth, the Winter Solstice as a basis for Christmas. The Christian church aligned the ancient pre-Christian notions of hope for more light and renewal of plant growth with its own preaching of joy and hope as a result of the Saviour’s birth.

The Celts and ancient Irish peoples celebrated the Solstice with feasting and large bonfires. Cattle were slaughtered at this time of the year to conserve food during the harsh months of January and February, for those animals that were to remain alive.

There are myths relating to confrontation between the Holly and Oak trees that are ascribed to the Winter Solstice. These two trees continue to be associated with the Christian Christmas festival with holly and mistletoe used as decoration.

Newgrange in County Meath is the most notable monument associated with the Winter Solstice. The sunrise at 8.58 a.m. on December 21st has been illuminating the passage of the tomb at this site, at the same time, for approximately five thousand years and therefore, predates not only Christianity but also the arrival of the Celts to Ireland. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are many who wish to gain access for the solstice, but due to its popularity those chosen succeed by lottery (approximately 32,000 people apply for 60 places).

Newgrange is arguably the most famous Winter Solstice site in Ireland, but there are many others where one can gain entry without a lottery procedure. Some of these sites are open to the public and some are on private property and access may only be by the kind permission of the landowner.

Clans of Ireland embodies the unifying movement of families and clans, the gathering together of relatives, near and distant, the celebration of shared past, understanding of historical experience and a recognition that the contemporary common good is best served through unity of purpose.

The past year has been busy for Clans of Ireland with, in addition to our own events including the Annual Conference, a number of external events that Members of Clans of Ireland were involved in.

In March, Members of clans linked to the Uí Mhaine tribe attended a conference hosted by the Royal Irish Academy on the Book of Uí Mhaine.

March also saw the appointment of two most deserving people as Companions of the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit; Bernard Joseph McKenna CIOM and Pádraig Nolan CIOM 

The Annual Conference was held at the Saint Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club in Dublin in April. On the Friday afternoon, we had again been invited to visit the Royal Irish Academy and the Office of the Chief Herald, where we viewed manuscript material associated with the attendees. On Saturday, following the Annual General Meeting, Dr. Brian McCabe provided the attendees with a most

entertaining lecture into his own McCabe Clan; ‘A Gallowglass Clan’, while in the afternoon, Dr John Cunningham lectured most insightfully on ‘The Clans of Ireland in 1641 and After’. Professor Tadhg O’Keeffe of University College Dublin introduced attendees to the Global Irish Diaspora Congress that was scheduled to take place in August.

Maura O'Gara O'Riordan with Máire Ní Chearbhaill, Michael Egan  and Joe Mannion presented insights into the experience of their own clans’ diaspora at this first international Global Irish Diaspora Congress, which took place in August at University College Dublin.

The Saint Stephen’s Green venue has become so popular that the 2018 Conference is again scheduled to be held there on the weekend of the 14th of April, with a similar Friday afternoon and all-day on Saturday format.

The winner of the 2017 Chiefs and Clans Essay Prize on Gaelic Ireland was Tuam librarian, Ruairí Ó hAodha. He will receive his prize early in the New Year for his essay entitled ‘“A very sufficient scholar”: Isaac Lally – Ireland’s Stuart schoolmaster’. His essay has been published in the most recent edition of ‘History Ireland’. The annual prize is jointly sponsored by The Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains and Clans of Ireland in association with the History Department, Trinity College Dublin, represented by Dr. Katharine Simms.

Our thoughts at Christmas turn to those who we have lost from our community during the past year. There were a number of high profile clan members such as Walter The O Kelly de Gallagh et Tycooly, Chief of the Name, Brian Ó Ceallaigh CIOM and Peggy Carty O’Brien, but there were also many others, whose passing we mourn. Our sympathy goes out to their families and friends.

With Best Wishes for Christmas & the New Year

Le gach dea-ghui i gcomhair na Nollag agus na h-Athbhliana

Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh

Cathaoirleach

Members of Clans of Ireland participated in the Global Irish Diaspora Congress held on the 15th to 19th August  at University College Dublin, which had been organised by the UCD Global Irish Diaspora Committee, including Prof. Tadhg O'Keeffe  Professor of Archaeology at University College Dublin. Professor O'Keeffe, who had addressed the Clans of Ireland Conference in 2017.

The conference examined the histories, culture, heritages and identities of Irish people living beyond the shores of Ireland. This was clearly a very important event, so that for Clans of Ireland to have representatives in attendance  was exceedingly worthwhile.

Maura O'Gara O'Riordan and Máire Ní Chearbhaill represented the O'Gara Clan, Michael Egan represented the Egan Clan and Joe Mannion represented the Mannion Clan and all represented Clans of Ireland.

The Congress had an attendance of approximately two-hundred-fifty delegates including, academics, independent scholars, artists, practitioners in the field of the Diaspora. The Ambassador of Australia, the Ambassador of Argentina and representatives from the Brazilian Embassy.

There was productive networking amongst organisations and leaders from throughout the World and it was generally agreed that Irish studies are enjoying a period of prosperity globally, due to the centenary of 1916.

Prof O'Keeffe, who had originally initiated the idea of  the Congress, described how he had come to develop his curiosity about what it is to be Irish, leading from his professional interest in the global study of archaeology.

There was much discussion on the definition of the term 'Diaspora' , with a variety of viewpoints coming to light. It was agreed that Irishness can not be viewed as a singular identity and that it should be appreciated that it is more eclectic than we may have hitherto understood. It is calculated that there 75,000,000 throughout the world who claim to be Irish and that these members of the global Irish Diaspora  consider themselves increasingly multi-ethnic.

Prof Liam Kennedy of the Clinton Institute for American Studies at UCD described the results of a survey which he had been involved with in Chicago and that it is noteworthy that the term 'Irish Diaspora' is seen as a positive term that is now replacing the negative term of  'emigran't. He commented that Irish ethnicity is increasingly a matter of pride rather than need, as there are fewer Irish migrants in evidence in Irish American communities.

It was decided at the Roundtable that the next Global Irish Diaspora Congress will take place in 2019. It is our hope that Clans of Ireland will again be represented at this next event.

The winner of the 2017 Chiefs and Clans Essay Prize on Gaelic Ireland was announced recently by Dr Katherine Simms of Trinity College Dublin, who is Chair of the adjudication panel. The winner, Tuam librarian Ruairí Ó hAodha, will receive his prize later in the year for his essay entitled ‘“A very sufficient scholar”: Isaac Lally – Ireland’s Stuart schoolmaster’.

The annual prize is jointly sponsored by The Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains and Clans of Ireland in association with the History Department, Trinity College Dublin.

Global Irish Diaspora Congress

University College Dublin

15-19 August 2017

http://www.ucd.ie/globalirishdiaspora/programme/

As you are aware from earlier communications and from Professor Tadhg O’Keefe’s presentation at Clans of Ireland AGM and Conference earlier this year, University College Dublin is hosting an International Global Irish Diaspora Congress from 15 to 19 August 2017, which is open to the general public to attend.

A special discount has been negotiated for affiliates of Clans of Ireland, and by using the code GICOI when registering, the attendance fee will be reduced from €200 to €100. The fee entitles a person to attend on each of the four days of the Congress, where one can select from lectures on a wide variety of diaspora related topics.

The finalised programme is available via this link, and will open in a new window where you can then download it as a PDF. Once you've done this you can zoom in and out and it will retain full clarity without pixelating. You may also wish to search (press Ctrl + F to bring up the search bar) for any word contained in the document.

Of special interest to members of Clans of Ireland will be the following three papers being presented on Wednesday 16 August between 09.00 and 11.00 in Room HI.51 during the

‘TRACING CLANS OF IRELAND’ session:

Máire Ní Chearbhaill – ‘The O'Gara brothers in 18th-century Europe’

Michael Egan – ‘Ireland to Germany: case study of Egan Clan Diaspora’

Joe Mannion – ‘From Ireland to Argentina: a case study from the Mannion Clan Diaspora’

Clans of Ireland and the aforementioned speakers look forward to your support for this ground-breaking International Congress on our Global Irish Diaspora. Bígí linn!

The following individuals are appointed as Companions of the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit as of 17th March 2017:

Mr Bernard Joseph McKenna CIOM

Mr Pádraig Nolan CIOM

Global Irish Diaspora Congress

University College Dublin

15-19 August 2017

CALL FOR PAPER ABSTRACTS

University College Dublin is hosting an International Global Irish Diaspora Congress from 15 to 19 August 2017, which the Board of Clans of Ireland has been requested to bring to the attention of its member clans. The organisers of the congress have invited Clans of Ireland to participate in this important event, providing an ideal opportunity for Clan historians to share the experiences of their emigrant kinsfolk in times past, and showcase the difficulties encountered in their bid to become an integral part of new settler societies in faraway lands.

Proposals are invited for research papers and/or sessions and/or posters relating to any aspect of Irish diaspora research, with a prerequisite being that the emigrants under investigation must have settled in a foreign country and raised their families there.

For further information, and to submit a proposal, click on the following link: http://www.ucd.ie/globalirishdiaspora/abstracts/.

Please note that you will have an opportunity to fine-tune your title and abstract before it is published on the congress website, so a provisional title and abstract can be submitted, provided they remain close to the final version.

 Professor Tadhg O’Keefe of UCD will attend the 2017 Clans of Ireland Conference and AGM in The Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club on Saturday 8 April, when he will deliver a talk entitled ‘Family histories and the study of the global Irish diaspora: a start of a new conversation’, aimed at encouraging attendance by Clan delegates at the congress in August.

Clans of Ireland note with regret the passing of Peggy Carty O'Brien, who died in the Galway Clinic on 5th February 2017. 

Solas na bhFlaitheas dá hanam uasal

Peggy served as a member of the board of Clans of Ireland from AGM 2004 to AGM 2006.  She was Chieftain of the Carty Clan.

Peggy is pictured 2nd on the front left in the group picture of former (Retired) board members who attended AGM 2014.

Clans of Ireland would like to notify its members about an upcoming conference on the Book of Uí Mhaine, to be held  in the Royal Irish Academy on Thursday 2 and Friday 3 March next. Compiled in the late fourteenth-century for Muircheartach Ó Ceallaigh, bishop of Clonfert, a member of the powerful O'Kelly rulers of Uí Mhaine, it contains material of a biblical and hagiographical nature, as well tales, genealogies, verse, a late Book of Rights, a Dindshenchas(place-name lore) etc. The conference will appeal to a broad audience and should be of interest to many members of Clans of Ireland.

The programme for the conference is attached for your convenience.

Walter Lionel ('Bob') O'Kelly The O'Kelly de Gallagh et Tycooly

Bob had been the quietly attentive and polite hereditary O'Kelly de Gallagh et Tycooly for seventy years when he died on January 16th. His gentle philosophies were a cornerstone of his leadership.

Bob's gentility masked an indomitable spirit, which, together with his absolute belief in the Roman Catholic faith, coupled with great health, ensured a very full life since his birth in County Westmeath in 1921. In the here-and-after into which Bob has now entered he has again met June, his beloved wife of over fifty years and mother of their four children; Barbara, Eithne, Michele and his Tánaiste, Robert. Above all else, Bob was devoted to his family.

In addition to his recognition as a Member of the Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains, he also held the courtesy title of Count of the Holy Roman Empire, the eight descendent of Festus O'Kelly who was honoured by Empress Maria Theresa in 1767, as father of the childless General Dillon John O'Kelly, by conferring on him and his family in perpetuity, the title of Count de Gallagh et Tycooly.

June let me into the story of how Walter became 'Bob' after his favourite pony when a child. He was known throughout his life as 'Bob' among family and friends, but among the wider O'Kelly of Hy-Many Clan he was affectionately and informally known as Count Walter.

Bob was a man of moral and theological absolutes. He would have considered it an assault if he were questioned about his beliefs. June once told me how he always wanted to impress on his children the importance of not always accepting without question the authority of others or their opinions. Injustice and the abuse of power hugely angered him.

Having studied civil engineering at Trinity College Dublin, he served as an officer with the Royal Engineers during the later part of World War II in India and Malaya. He then joined the newly established Bórd na Móna, where he spent most of his working life, until his retirement after thirty-seven years in 1986.

However, for all his philosophies and accomplishments as a father, engineer and business executive The O'Kelly will be remembered as being one of the longest serving clan chieftains in Ireland's long history who always upheld the nobility of this historical family that he was born to lead. The O'Kelly family of Gallagh and Tycooly traces its ancestry directly, as a senior branch of the O'Kellys of Ui Maine, to Maine Mór. The family built three castles, including Gallagh (Castleblakeney) and is closely associated with the Battle of Knockdoe in 1504. Later, in the seventeenth century, Col. William O'Kelly of Gallagh, fought against Cromwell, which resulted in the loss his castle and estate. The family subsequently moved into Tycooly House, near Athenry.

The O'Kellys and the O'Kellys of Maine will miss Bob greatly, but most poignantly Ireland will now have lost the head of one of its most ancient Gaelic families.

A Cháirde,

It has been another wonderful year for Clans of Ireland.

We had two major events in 2016, the Annual Conference and the Commemoration of the Battle of Athenry in 1316. The Annual Conference held in April was the best attended annual conference to date. It was held at the Saint Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club in Dublin. The 2017 Conference is also scheduled to be held there on the weekend of the 8th of April. At this year’s conference three most deserving people were awarded the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit:

Ms Margot Coogan CIOM former Chieftain of the Ó Leathlobhair ( Lawlor Clan) of County Laois who is considered by her clan members to be central to the ongoing success of this vibrant organisation. Margot is a regular and popular attendee at Clans of Ireland conferences.

Mr Eamon De Búrca CIOM who is instrumental to the foundation of one of our newest member clans, the De Búrca (Burke Clan). Eamon is also renowned as a collector of manuscripts and antiquarian Irish books, some of which he, in collaboration with Gaelic scholars, publishes as modern editions, giving access to many significant works, to so many of us, who would otherwise be denied such access.

Professor Gregory Egan CIOM of the Mac Aodhagáin Uí Maine (Egan of Hy Many)  was awarded the highest accolade of Clans of Ireland, in his absence, for his tireless work over many years in organising a branch of the Egan Clan in Australia.

The second event,  ‘The Gathering of the Clans', took place on the 1st of October in Athenry, County Galway. We were honoured to have Dr. Nollaig Ó Muraíle lecture the capacity assembly on ‘The Gaelic Nobility who fell in the Battle of Athenry 1316’.   Central to the event was the commemoration of the seven-hundreth anniversary of one of the most decisive battles in Irish history; fought between the Gaelic Irish and Anglo-Normans. Kieran O Conor addressed the gathering on the pivotal role which his ancestor Feidhlim O Conor played as leader of the Gaelic Irish. Other speakers included Shane O Dea, Michael Egan and Dan McGrath.

The Gathering on October 1st at Athenry also included an Extraordinary General Meeting in order to introduce constitutional changes to the Memo and Articles of Association in accordance, with the Companies Act 2014, all of which were unanimously ratified.

The presentation of the Irish Chiefs and Clans Essay Prize, took place on the 19th of  October at the historic Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. Simon Egan of Castlegregory, County Kerry, a post-graduate student and tutor at UCC was awarded the prize by David The Ó Morchoe, representing The Irish Council of Chiefs and Chieftains and Dr. Michael Egan, Chieftain of the Egan Clan, representing Clans of Ireland. His essay, ‘An Irish Context to a Scottish Disaster, James IV, the O’Donnells of Tyrconnell and the road to Flodden’, was published in the most recent edition of History Ireland. The object of this annual competition is to  promote research and awareness of Gaelic Ireland. It is open to all, with the exception of history lecturers at third level institutions. The Chair of the adjudication panel is Dr. Katharine Simms of T.C.D.

Our thoughts at Christmas turn to those who we have lost from our community during the past year. There were a number of high profile clan members such as The O Donovan and Professor Reverend Pádraig Ó Fiannachta, but there were also many others, whose passing we mourn. Our sympathy goes out to their families and friends.

With Best Wishes for Christmas & the New Year
Beste Wünsche für ein frohes Weihnachtsfest und ein friedliches Neues Jahr
Avec tous mes meilleurs voeux pour Joyeux Noel et bon début d'Année 2017

Le gach dea-ghui i gcomhair na Nollag agus na h-Athbhliana

Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh

Cathaoirleach

Prize in History' 2016: Presentation

The annual Irish Chiefs and Clans 'Prize in History' 2016 was presented at a function in Christchurch Cathedral, Dublin. The recipient, Simon Egan of Castlegreggory, Co Kerry, is a former student in University College Cork. His essay titled ‘James IV, the O’Donnells of Tyrconnell and the road to Flodden’ was adjudged the winning entry by Dr Katharine Simms, History Department, Trinity College Dublin.

The attendance at the prize presentation included Gearoid O'Ceallaigh, Chairman Clans of Ireland, David The O'Morchoe, representing the Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains, Dr Katharine Simms, History Department, Trinity College Dublin and competition adjudicator, Dr Michael Egan, Chief of the Egan Clan, as well as members of the Board of Clans of Ireland.

Entries for this prestigious competition came from various parts of Ireland and the adjudicators was tasked with a difficult decision. The Essay  had to be on a topic dealing with any aspect of the political, social or cultural history of Gaelic Ireland (within the date-range AD 400 to 1690), such as Irish kingship, lordship, land-holding, genealogy, family history etc. The competition is organized by the Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains and Clans of Ireland, in association with the History Department of Trinity College, Dublin.  It was first established by the Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains in 2003 and Clans of Ireland got involved in 2013 as joint sponsors.

Speaking at the event, Gearoid O'Ceallaigh welcomed those present for the occasion. He warmly congratulated the winner and praised the quality of his entry, stating that it was "outstanding amongst it's peers".

OThe prize winner, Simon Egan is a past pupil of Castlegregory National Primary School and Gaelcholaiste Chiarrai in Tralee, Co. Kerry. He continued his education in UCC where he did a BA in History and Modern Irish, acquiring a First Class Honours Degree in both subjects. In 2011 I began his doctoral studies in Cork under the supervision of Dr David Edwards. His doctoral thesis explores the resurgence of Gaelic power in Ireland and Scotland during the later Middle Ages, c.1350-1513, charting how developments within the Gaelic world could influence the course of 'British' politics.

Ends

Caption for photo:

No Repro Fee Image: Irish Chiefs and Clans 'Prize in History' 2016: Presentation of the 'Prize in History' jointly sponsored by the Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains and Clans of Ireland, in association with the History Department of Trinity College, Dublin, to Simon Egan, Castlegreggory, Co Kerry. L-R, Gearoid O'Ceallaigh, Chairman Clans of Ireland, David The O'Morchoe, representing the Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains, Dr Katharine Simms, History Department, Trinity College Dublin and competition adjudicator, Simon Egan, competition winner and  Dr Michael Egan, Chief of the Egan Clan and member of the Board of Clans of Ireland. Pic:Dan McGrath.

Representatives of numerous Irish clans will visit Athenry on October 1st for a special event organised by Clans of Ireland. Entitled ‘Gathering of the Clans, Athenry 2016’, the day has been arranged to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the 1316 battle of Athenry. The event will take place in the Athenry Community Centre in Clarke Street.

One of the highlights of the day will be a talk by renowned lecturer and author Dr Nollaig Ó Muraíle, appropriately titled ‘The Gaelic nobility in the battle of Athenry, 1316 – those who fought, and those who fell’. This free lecture will be delivered at 2.30 pm and is open to all to attend.

A native of Mayo, Nollaig is a former Senior Lecturer in Irish at NUI Galway, having previously been Reader in Irish and Celtic Studies at Queen’s University, Belfast.  Prior to that, he spent over twenty years as a Placenames Officer with the Ordnance Survey in Dublin. His most notable publication is an edition in five volumes of Dubhaltach Mac Fhir Bhisigh’s Great Book of Irish Genealogies (2003-4).  In 2009 he was elected a member of the Royal Irish Academy. Until recently, Nollaig served as an Executive Committee Member of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society and Assistant Editor of the Society’s Journal.

Earlier in the day, a workshop on ‘The Organising of a Clan Event’ will be held at 12.30. Clan representatives will share their experience of what works for them and what they could do differently. This will be followed by a ‘Question & Answer’ session.

The Board of Clans of Ireland extends a warm invitation to all interested parties to attend this important commemorative event.

Clans of Ireland is sad to annouce the passing of a great friend and holder of an Order of Merit for his contribution to Irish culture and heritage. 

Priest, Professor, Poet and Pastor Emeritus Pádraig Ó Fiannachta died on Friday the 15th of July. Born in Ballymore in County Kerry, Ó Fiannachta was ordained at Maynooth in 1953. He was appointed Professor of early Irish at Maynooth in 1960, followed by Modern Irish in 1982. He taught at the College and subsequently the University until his retirement in 1992, when he returned to Kerry to serve as parish priest in An Daingean

Ar dheis dé go raibh a h-anam uasal

The acclaimed Irish scholar Nollaig Ó Muraíle is to speak at the next Clans of Ireland event,  'Gathering of the Clans, Athenry 2016', scheduled to take place on the 1st of October in Athenry, County Galway to commemorate the septicentennial anniversary of the noteworthy battle fought there between the Gaelic Irish and Anglo-Norman forces in 1316. Dr Ó Muraíle's lecture 'The Gaelic nobility who fell in the battle of Athenry, 1316' will be of considerable interest as it is reckoned that twenty nine individual members of seventeen separate Gaelic families died in the battle.

Dr Ó Muraíle is well known to many in Clans of Ireland and throughout the community of those interested in Gaelic culture. His work, The Great Book of Genealogies, published in 2004, followed his transcription of Leabhar na nGenealach. Some of his other works include The Celebrated Antiquity, Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh (c. 1600 – 1671) His Life, Lineage and Learning; Irish Leaders and Learning Through the Ages, Paul Walsh, Essays Collected Edited and Introduced by N. Ó M; Túras na dTaoiseach nUltach as Éirinn from Ráth Maoláin to Rome, Tadhg Ó Cianáins contemporary narrative of the "Flight of the Wild Geese" (Editor) and Micheál Ó Cléirigh, His Associates and St Anthony's College Louvain (Editor). In addition his latest publication, a new edition of The Annals of Clonmacnoise is due to be released by De Búrca Rare Books later this year. Dr O'Muraíle's edition has been modernised to make it more 'user friendly'.

The lecture will follow an Extraordinary General Meeting of Clans of Ireland, in addition to a workshop on Organising a Clan Event.

Following the lecture, the presentation of the Chiefs and Clans Essay Prize 2016 will be made to Simon Egan a postgraduate of UCC. His winning essay;  An Irish context to a Scottish disaster: James IV, the O'Donnells of Tyrconnell and the Road to Floddeni s due to be published in the Nov/Dec edition of History/Ireland.

The lecture and event on October 1st will be open to Members and non-members, following the Extraordinary General Meeting. Further detailed information may be had from Dan McGrath at info@clansofireland.ie

FIRST INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM

‘The Era of King Brian Boru’

2-3 July 2016

At St. Flannan’s Cathedral, Killaloe, Co. Clare

The O’Brien Summer School (TOBSS) is a new philanthropic, non-profit initiative that aims to make Irish history more widely accessible to all. Founded by Lord James O’Brien and Lady Cheryl O’Brien, its voluntary management team also includes The O’Brien (Lord Inchiquin) and representatives from Trinity College, Dublin (speaker programme co-ordination) and University College, Dublin, supported by Moira O’Brien (webmaster) and Brona Moriarty of the Killaloe/Ballina Community and Family Resource Centre (local heritage liaison).

TOBSS inaugural event is an educational and entertaining symposium taking place on 2-3 July this year, where ten expert medieval historians will bring to life the culture, the landscape, the music and the battles associated with Ireland’s most famous High King, Brian Boru and the Viking invaders he fought. The event also includes a half day guided tour of local sites and monuments relevant to the reign of King Brian.

According to Professor David Ditchburn, Head of Trinity College’s Medieval Research Group, this event is unique and nothing like it has ever been organised in Ireland before.

As well as appealing to history students and members of local historical societies, this event will be fun and interesting for anyone who wants to know more about King Brian and Ireland in the 10th and 11th centuries.

Tourists and residents of Clare and Tipperary are being offered half price entry to the event and can email: tobssinformation@gmail.com to find out more and to book their place. Prices include talks, tour, refreshments, lunches and, on Saturday 2 July, a delegate wine reception. Tickets are also on sale via the Killaloe/Ballina Community and Family Resource Centre.

Professional historians and students can register online at TOBSS website: www.obriensummerschool.com, where there is a wealth of additional information about TOBSS, the event and the full programme of presentations.

TOBSS is reliant on founder funding and grants, but its plans would benefit from additional sponsorship and donations, which can be made in any amount, just by clicking the donate button on the TOBSS website. TOBSS Founder, Lady Cheryl O’Brien, comments: ‘The more TOBSS Trust Fund grows, the faster we can create greater synergy between all the institutions, societies, groups and individuals who contribute to Ireland’s understanding and celebration of its wealth of history and heritage - and the more exciting live events we can organise to make all that knowledge more accessible to the public.’

Dear Members,

It was gratifying to have an increased number at this year’s Annual Conference and I would like to thank, on behalf of those who were able to attend, all who were involved in the organisation of the event.

We had our first meeting of your Board of Directors, since the Annual Conference, yesterday at which I asked the Members of the Board to become even more focused on projects relating to our raison d’étre. It was noted at the Meeting that your involvement in Clans of Ireland is most frequently driven by your Cultural and Historical interest (please see further analysis in The Main Findings from the Recent Survey of Members).

Manifestation of Irish culture goes back for more than four thousand years. It was a tribal culture which has developed, but has a resonance, as I described at the Conference Dinner, in contemporary Ireland. Our clan system provided us with a societal structure, which was aligned, in a complex manner, to religion. This, in turn, provided our ancestors with moral direction. Indeed, in my view, much of our attitudinal make-up in contemporary Irish society can be ascribed to this early Gaelic society.

Religion played a significant role in Pre-Christian Ireland. There is evidence of scientific precision in the construction of places of worship to the religious idols, which suggests that there was considerable complexity within the belief system which existed. When early Christianity arrived, not much more than a hundred years after it had become the established religion of Rome, it undermined the existing traditional polytheism with notions of love of our fellow man, as opposed to previous practices which included human sacrifice to Crom Dubh, the deity who was associated with Lughnassa. However, the Christians cleverly interwove their new beliefs with some of the existing practices, as exemplified in our calendar, in order to popularise and transform their cult into a mainstream religion.

This Early-Christian era was arguably one of the first momentous periods of Irish history of which we have documentary evidence. Some Clans encompassed Christian saints into their history, sometimes even venerating them as heroes of battles in a most un-Christian ideology, a dichotomy which is generally ignored. The advent of Christianity to Ireland brought about one of the most celebrated periods of our history, giving rise to the title of an early chapter in Primary School history Books; The Island of Saints and Scholars. It is from this period that the wonderfully illuminated annals such as the Book of Kells, Book of Durrow, Book of Armagh and numerous others originate

There is scope for increasing support for academic and historic study by our member organisations, both individually and collectively. The Chiefs and Clans Essay on Gaelic Ireland competition is a real example of how Clans of Ireland, in association with the Council of Chiefs and Trinity College Dublin, is involved in academic support. Our Clans History project is another, which has involved the participation of all volunteer registered clan organisation. It is hoped that this will have progressed significantly during the next year.

Ireland has been shaped by an interesting history, recorded recently with the fervency of the recently nationalised and prior to that by either the long-term disaffected with few scholarly resources or by biased conquerors. It is time to publish a compilation of historically significant documents from our Gaelic past, which would provide contemporaneous and personal insights into the minds of the people who were the authors, not chroniclers, of Irish history, including some who were not born in Ireland such as; Saint Patrick, Pope Adrian and Oliver Cromwell.

I would be very interested in hearing from anyone; who might have suggestions as to their opinion of the ten or less most important documents, written by authors who shaped the future of Ireland; or who may be interested in becoming involved in such a compilation.

Is mise le meas,

Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh

O’Kelly

Cathaoirleach

Finte na hÉireann

The Main Findings from the Recent Survey of Members

54% respondent clans based in Ireland

95% of respondent clans would like Clans of Ireland to have second annual event

95% of respondents perceive that membership of Clans of Ireland is an enhancement to their Clan

100% of respondents would like Clans of Ireland to support further academic or historical patronage, such as the Chiefs and Clans Essay Competition

Main interests of respondent Clans

Historical & Cultural 26% Genealogical 20% Educational 18% Ceremonial 15% Social 12% DNA Advisory 9%

The winner of the 2016 Chiefs and Clans Essay Prize on Gaelic Ireland was announced on 7th June, by Dr Katherine Simms of Trinity College Dublin, who is Chair of the adjudication panel. The winner, Simon Egan, a postgraduate student at  UCC will receive his prize later in the year for his essay:  An Irish context to a Scottish disaster: James IV, the O'Donnells of Tyrconnell and the Road to Flodden.

The annual prize is jointly sponsored by The Irish Council of Chiefs and Chieftains and Clans of Ireland in association with Trinity College Dublin History Department.

The following individuals are appointed as Companions of the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit as of 17th March 2016:

Ms Margot Coogan CIOM 

Mr Eamon De Búrca CIOM

Professor Gregory Egan CIOM

Clans of Ireland note with regret the death of The O Donovan, who died in Bantry Hospital, Co. Cork on 25th January 2016. He was a member of the Standing Council of Irish Chiefs, with whom Clans of Ireland (Finte na hÉireann), is in association, together with History Department of Trinity College, Dublin and History/Ireland magazine in offering an annual prize for the winning essay on Gaelic Ireland.

The O Donovan was the patron of the very successful O Donovan Gathering during June 2000. It was estimated that during the week long activities over 4,000 participated. There were certainly around 1,500 in attendance at the final ceremony on 25th June at the village of Castle Donovan. This event concluded with Síle de Valera, then Minister for Arts, Heritage, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, dedicating a plaque recognizing the Clan Gathering, organised by John Emmett Donovan and his daughter, Regina Crixell, was the Clan Organiser. The Minister promised to help the restoration of the castle, and it was announced in 2013 that the castle would open the following year, after a cost of €1.67m+, by kind permission of the land owner.

Our condolences to his wife Jane, children Teige, Katharine and Mary, and his eight grandchildren.

A Cháirde,

I hope that you will be as healthy and content as circumstances will allow during the year ahead and that most of us will have the opportunity of meeting during the year.

In a perpetually changing world, seizing the moment becomes almost daring, but what better way could there be to re-energise the soul than to plan a trip to Dublin in April or in October and meet your friends from Clans of Ireland. The weather in Ireland in April is generally delightful, with late spring sunshine and ‘scattered soft April showers’ to remind us where we are and why our country is so green. Little awakens the senses like walking through St. Stephen’s Green in the Spring.

On April 15th and 16th. I hope that you will join us at the breathtakingly magnificent St. Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club where we will have our Annual Conference. I can confirm that the renowned Prof. Dan Bradley of the Department of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin will be our Guest Speaker. Dr. Bradley’s subject intrigues most of us but due to its constant evolution, few of us can claim to understand it.

Later on, on a date to be confirmed in October, we will commemorate the Second Battle of Athenry, which took place in 1316. We will let you have the venue and dates as soon as available so that you can make your plans accordingly.

Finally, let me wish all of you who are having clan gatherings in 2016 every success and let us have your dates.

Is mise le meas,

Gearoid O Ceallaigh

Cathaoirleach

A Cháirde,

Clans of Ireland is representative of so many Irish people who live throughout the World, some of whom are descendants of those who left Ireland willingly, but also many whose ancestors were migrants, were forced to leave their native land.

Our thoughts at Christmas of 2015 must turn to those contemporary migrants throughout the Globe; persecuted and homeless, many of whom have suffered from extreme brutality, especially in Asia and Africa. The Irish have had a long history of invasion and tribal warfare during the first millennium A.D., followed by another millennium of conflict with various invaders.  So much of the Irish population has been forced to migrate, sometimes as convicts driven to crime by hunger or even as slaves, to areas of the World which were, arguably far less hospitable than the Europe of today.

The study and understanding of our history provides us with a particularly empathetic perspective of those who are far less well off.

Turning our thoughts toward 2016 in Ireland, there are many whose attention will be on the commemoration of the 1916 Rising. Historically significant as this is, Clans of Ireland will focus on another event, the Seventh Centenial rememberance of The Battle of Athenry, which is considered by many historians to be one of the most crucial events in Medieval Irish history. You will learn more of this during the forthcoming year, as an ad hoc committee of Clans of Ireland is planning to mark the occassion with a lecture in the Autumn. Details of this will be made available as soon as finalised.

The Chiefs and Clans Essay Competition, jointly sponsored by Clans of Ireland and the Council of Chiefs and Chieftains and run in conjunction with the History Department of Trinity College Dublin to promote research and awareness of Gaelic Ireland;  is being further developed through an awareness campaign, organised by a newly formed committee of representatives from all three involved pillars. It is open to all, excepting history lecturers at third level institutions and further details are available on request.

The Patron of Clans of Ireland, President Michael D. Higgins, expressed considerable interest in our plans to develop the Essay Competition when we visited him at Áras an Uachtarán in May. Most registered clans were represented at this historical event, the first time the a President of Ireland has met the leaders of a gathering of Clans of Ireland.

Finally, during the past year Clans of Ireland has been honoured to have been given access to both the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland and the Royal Irish Acadamy. It is hoped that our association with these two venerable institutions will continue long in to the future.

With Best Wishes for Christmas & the New Year.

Le gach dea-ghui i gcomhair na Nollag agus na h-Athbhliana.

Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh

Cathaoirleach

The date of the 2016 Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting has been confirmed as April 16th. It is also likely that an informal dinner will take place after a walking tour in Dublin City centre on Friday 15th. 

Details are currently being finalised, but is likely that the schedule format used in 2015 will be closely replicated.

All enquiries should be directed to info@clansofireland.ie

The Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains and Clans of Ireland (Finte na hÉireann), in association with the History Department of Trinity College, Dublin and History Ireland magazine, are offering a prize of €500 for the winning entrant in an essay competition on Gaelic Ireland.

Entry is open to all persons over 18 years of age who are NOT on the academic staff of a history department in any third-level institution.

Essays must be on a topic dealing with any aspect of the political, social or cultural history of Gaelic Ireland (within the date-range AD 400 to 1690), such as Irish kingship, lordship, land-holding, genealogy, family history etc. They should be approximately 2,000 words in length and accompanied by full footnote references to sources used, with a bibliography at the end (footnotes and bibliography will not be counted as part of the word-length). Essays may be written in English or Irish.

Entries, with candidate’s name, postal address and contact details, should be e-mailed (preferably) as an attached MS-Word file to mksimms@tcd.ie, or posted to ‘Chiefs and Clans Prize’, c/o Katharine Simms, History Department, School of Histories and Humanities, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland, to arrive by 1st June 2016.

The prize will only be awarded for an entry deemed to be of publishable standard. Subject to editorial approval, a version of the paper should appear in a subsequent issue of History Ireland. Both the winner and other entrants whose papers are deemed of publishable standard may be invited to contribute their work to a projected volume of essays on Gaelic Ireland, which is a central goal of this competition.

For further details, see http://www.tcd.ie/history/irishclansandchiefsprize.php.

The entire collection of Catholic parish register microfilms held by the National Library of Ireland (NLI) is being made available; giving people of Irish Catholic ancestry the opportunity to trace their origins back almost 300 years online from July 8th. Gearoid O Ceallaigh, Chairman of Clans of Ireland commented that "this is of huge importance to the vast majority of Irish people, who are not lucky enough to have established ancestral records. Indeed, people may discover that they are able to trace their ancestry to a historic or important branch of their family in the Seventeenth  or Eighteenth Century."
There are more than 370,000 digital images of the microfilm reels involved, on which the parish registers are recorded and which will be accessible free of charge.These parish register records are considered to be the most important single source of data on Irish family history prior to the 1901 census. Dating from the 1740s to the 1880s, they cover 1,086 parishes throughout the island of Ireland, and consist primarily of baptismal and marriage records.
Clans of Ireland provides a Register of Clans with contact details for any enquiries.

On the last Saturday of June, a balmy Summer day, the Clans of Ireland Board met at the Chapter House of Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin; in a wonderfully ancient panelled room with the most amazing historical portraits on its walls. The history of Christchurch goes back to Viking times and Clans of Ireland is honoured to be given this facility as a venue for its regular board meetings.
Your board meets several times during the year. Members travel from as far away as Waterford, Cork, Kerry, Galway, Fermanagh and even France. They do this at their ownexpense as their roles are purely voluntary. The year ahead will involve  continuing with some existing projects, developing some new projects and crucially tackling some organisational governance issues, while also implementing the new Irish Companies Act.
The Companies Act 2014, which came in to effect on 1st June 2015, has been described as the most comprehensive reform of company law for generations. The Act effects all companies in Ireland especially private limited companies and the Board has an obligation to examine options in relation to corporate governance, codification of duties of directors, retirement of directors, Annual Returns and other compliance issues.
 

This year we are celebrating our 25th Anniversary as a non-profit corporate entity. Recently, at our commemorative conference, we heard various speakers address the progression of our activities and accomplishments during those twenty-five years. At the heart of this has been the constant dream of bringing together the genuine clans and historic Irish families in a communal way; integrated with contemporary Irish society and attitudes.
Clans of Ireland authenticates and promotes the interests of Irish clans and historic families. It is also a major focus for Clans of Ireland to reach out to Irish people throughout the World and deliver to them an intrinsic understanding of their traditions and history, so that they can appreciate our authentic culture. We recognise that opinions of Irish ex-pats are influenced by different motivations and insights to those expressed at home in Ireland. A fierce fervency frequently symbolises such sentiments which come from abroad, thus encouraging our less impassioned indigenous enthusiasm. This patriotic nostalgia supports dedicated native scholarship.
Clans of Ireland, through its structure, promotes inclusivity amongst all of the Irish at home or abroad through its member organisations by disseminating academic study, by fostering organisational development, by legitimising, through membership criteria, those clans who display a valid non-commercial interest in Irish heritage and, arguably most importantly, by encouraging social connection around the World.
----
The Ó hUigín Clan are recognised as descendants of the Southern Ui Neill and were considered as hereditary poets to the courts of Gaelic Ireland. Thus, President Higgins, you are entirely genetically consistent, as you are recognised as an accomplished poet. You are also renowned for your enduring private and societal dedication to Irish culture, in addition to having an academic curiosity in migration among your many interests.
Clans of Ireland supports the fundamental principles of uniting peoples of the same blood and family association through marriage or other family bonds. It is my hope that Clans of Ireland, with your continuing patronage, will continue to foster even greater links between the Irish at home and the diaspora.
But for your patronage, President Higgins, Clans of Ireland would be less consequential.
----
Finally, if you will permit me a personal indulgence, as I would like to share the fact with our audience that there has been a multi-generational friendship between your family of Ballycar and my mother’s Keogh family of Newmarket-on-Fergus. Ladies and gentlemen, it may come as a surprise to you to learn that my maternal grandfather Denis Keogh died at President Higgins’ family home at Ballycar.
I would now like to present you, President Higgins, on behalf of Clans of Ireland, with your personal family tree of the Higgins Family of Ballycar, County Clare; dedicated to you as President of Ireland and Patron of Clans of Ireland.

There is just over one week to our 25th. Annual Conference, featuring a Forum to discuss the highlights of the past twenty five years. The Forum moderated by Conor Mac Hale includes Nora Keohane-Hickey and Brian McCabe, representing the Board of Directors over the past twenty five years. Proinsias Mag Fhionnghaile and Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh are to discuss the eagerly awaited topic of traditional Gaelic Dress. After lunch, the renowned historian, Dr. Emmet O’Byrne is to give a lecture on ‘The Irish Resurgence of the 13th. and 14th. Centuries’ Author of War, Politics and the Irish of Leinster, Dr. O’Byrne has had numerous articles on Gaelic and Medieval Ireland published . Michael-Patrick Crowley, the Taoiseach elect of the Crowley Clan and author of “Origins and History of the Crowleys as an Irish Clan” is to introduce the Descendants of the Wild Geese who visit Ireland as an invited group for the first occasion since the Treaty of Limerick.
 

26 April 2015

A dhuine uisle,
I consider it a great honour to have been elected as Cathaoirleach (Chairman) of the Board and I am delighted by the fact that such confidence has been shown in me.
The last number of years have seen Clans of Ireland go through some interesting times. The Board has been dealing with a number of significant issues; primarily the maintenance of the fundamental principles of our Gaelic Clan traditions and consequent conservation of core membership.
Both our outgoing Chairman Michael Egan and indeed his predecessor, Nora Keohane-Hickey have already ably and admirably directed Clans of Ireland during recent years into a situation where we now have a higher profile than ever before, accompanied by an increased lucidity of purpose. I would like to express my appreciation of the great work that both of them have done.
I hope to develop on the theme that Michael and Nora have been cultivating, through the preservation and enhancement of the highest standards for members. I would like to set as priorities greater emphasis on both clarification of and unity of purpose; strengthening of issues relating to governance and further development of a wider media profile, as the umbrella body which unites contemporary Gaelic clans and ancient families, whose histories are unequivocally Irish, while promoting intellectual research into genealogy, history and culture.
I would like to see Member Clans engaging with the Board to a greater degree. Membership of Clans of Ireland should not be about simply being protected by the credibility and patronage of our banner. In my view, Membership involves an understanding of the core principles of the organisation and vibrant participation in promoting them.
Those who know me, know that I like to listen and to take advice before arriving at a decision. In the case of an association such as Clans of Ireland, this decision, I would like to think, would reflect the wishes of the majority of Members. Therefore, I welcome any suggestions from members who may wish to contribute views or ideas that might be beneficial. I would like to promote a greater degree of involvement by Members and develop an elevated spirit of co-operation between Members and the Board so that Clans of Ireland can develop organically as we begin our second twenty-five years of life.
Is mise le meas,
Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh

This year’s Annual Conference on 25th. April is a commemoration of twenty five years of development as a contemporary organisation. Officially recognised under the patronage of the President of Ireland, it supports the aims of its member clans in their research into their individual history, culture and traditions. To further these aims; an invitation is to be issued to a selected group of the descendants of the Wild Geese, who left Ireland following the defeat of the symbolic Jacobite army, over three hundred years ago.

This will provide Members of Clans of Ireland with an opportunity to be present at the first visit of an organised group of descendants of those historic Irish families, since their devastatingly mass departure from our shore. It also provides those Wild Geese descendants, whose roots are in Ireland, with an opportunity to meet with those who continue to support contemporary clan culture in a very real way, who remain rooted in Ireland.

Clans of Ireland hope that bonds of friendship, based on shared interest in culture and family history, will result from this initiative. It is also hoped that further such visits can be arranged in future years. Should there be any queries, please contact Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh - info@clansofireland.ie

The Board of Clans of Ireland is delighted to announce that the 2015 Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting to be held at the Stephens Green and Hibernian Club in Dublin on April 25th. This year's Conference commemorates the 25th. Anniversary of Clans of Ireland and among the features is a lecture, ‘You reap what you sow: The Irish Resurgence of the C13th & C14th centuries', by Dr. Emmet O'Byrne.
Further details will be announced shortly.

‘You reap what you sow: The Irish Resurgence of the C13th & C14thcenturies.'

Dr. Emmett O’Byrne was a major contributor for the Dictionary of Irish Biography (RIA 2009) – focusing on Gaelic Irish leaders from 1000-1700, contributing 228 biographical articles. He held a postdoctoral fellowship at the Michael O’Cleirigh Institute at University College Dublin between 2003 and 2006. His published works include War, Politics and the Irish of Leinster 1156-1606 (Four Courts Press 2003) and The March in the Medieval West (co-ed with Dr. Jenifer Ni Gradhaigh) (Brill 2012). He has worked as an associate lecturer in law with IT Carlow from 2007 to date, serving on the academic council of that institute between 2010-2012.
Dr. O’Byrne is also a practising solicitor and is currently completing a biography of Feagh McHugh O’Byrne.
 

The new Clans of Ireland mailing address is :
Clans of Ireland,
Sentinel Vaults,
St. Martin's House,
Waterloo Road,
Ballsbridge,
Dublin 4,
Ireland

Congratulations from Clans of Ireland to the winner of the 2014 'Chiefs and Clans' prize in History, Mr. Gerry Moloney.

Chiefs and Clans Prize 2015
 
Once more Clans of Ireland (Finte na hÉireann), The Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains, the History Department of Trinity College are associated with History/Ireland magazine in offering a prize of €750 for the winning entrant in an essay competition on Gaelic Ireland.

The essay topic is the political, social or cultural history of Gaelic Ireland, 400 A.D. - 1690 A.D. including, for example, Irish kingship, lordship, land-holding, genealogy, and family history. It should be approximately 2,000 words in length and must be presented with full footnote references to sources used, together with a final bibliography. Note that footnotes and bibliography do not count in the 2,000 words. Essays may be presented in either English or Irish.
 
Entry is open to all persons over 18 years who are NOT on the academic staff of a history department in any third-level institution.

Entries, with candidate’s name, address and contact details should be posted to:
 
‘Chiefs and Clans Prize’
c/o History Department,
School of Histories and Humanities,
Trinity College Dublin,
Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland
or e-mailed as an attached MS-Word file to: mksimms@tcd.ie by 1st May 2015
 
This prize will only be awarded to an entry judged to be of publishable standard. Subject to editorial approval, a version of the paper should appear in a subsequent issue of History Ireland. All entrants, whose papers are deemed of publishable standard, may be invited to contribute their work to a projected volume of essays on Gaelic Ireland.

The death has occurred of our esteemed Board colleague, William McKenna of the Mac Cionaoith  or Clan McKenna of Truath, County Monaghan.

It is with immense sadness that the Members of the Board have learnt of Willie’s death, who was always a good friend and colleague. He will forever be remembered for his smile and wonderfully good nature. Willie died after a short illness on September 26th.
A former Mayor of County Monaghan,  Councillor and Member of the County Enterprise Board, Willie was hugely involved in community activity throughout the County and in particular in Emyvale, where he resided. He was instrumental in organising a country music festival which generated life and commercial activity in the county town, during the summer of 2013.

Willie was also intensely interested in the history of County Monaghan. In 2012 he was honoured with Life Membership of the Irish Canadian Society at a ceremony in Dublin. He had been instrumental in developing twinning ties between three Canadian communities; the town of Miramichi, New Brunswick; the city of Peterborough, Ontario and the Province of Prince Edward Island. The association between Prince Edward Island and the baronies of Monaghan and Truagh in  County Monaghan resulted from the organised migration to this fertile Canadian island in the decades before, during and after the Great Famine.

It was due to his passionate work relating to Clann McKenna that he became involved with Clans of Ireland and consequently a Member of the Board of Directors for many years. He will be deeply missed on the Board for his quietly courteous commentary attended by a ready smile, the smile which won him universal popularity.

The Board of Clans of Ireland, on behalf of all of its members, wishes to  express its deepest sympathy to his immediate family, extended family and many friends.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

It is with immense sadness that the Board of Clans of Ireland has learnt of the death on August 8th. of An Caisedeach, Pat Cassidy of Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh, at the age of eighty seven. He had served as chieftain of the Cassidy Clan for the past twelve years. A farmer and retail business owner, Pat was a pillar of his community in Lisnaskea. He was also an ardent supporter of the work being done within the Cassidy Clan. However, Members of Clans of Ireland will also dearly miss him at our annual conferences, as he was always one of the most popular people at our gatherings.
Pat, as a widower, is survived by his daughters Margaret and Mary and his brother Michael John, to whom Clans of Ireland extends its deep condolences.
Ar dheis lámh Dé go raibh a anam dhílis.

We would like to extend a very warm welcome to our latest member, the Mannion of Soghan Clan. The ancient Soghan Clan is associated with the contemporary barony of Tiaquin. The Clan held the estate and lands of Menlough Castle until 1617, when its leading landholders were forced to engage in the infamous 'surrender and re-grant' scheme under James I. The Clan of Mannion of Soghan effectively lost its ancient Gaelic ownership rights of its hereditary lands, which were then re-granted  under the English feudal system. 
To become a member of the Mannion of Soghan Clan, one must identify with the clan by inheriting or using of the surname Mannion, being involved in its culture and heritage in addition to the specific requirements which are available from Dr. Joe Mannion who may be contacted at Woodford in County Galway or by email;  info@mannionclan.org
 

Congratulations to Maureen Carey of Adelaide, South Australia who was inaugurated as the new O'Dea Clan Chieftain on July 12th. at the O'Dea castle at Dysert O'Dea, near Ennis, County Clare. The outgoing Clan Chieftain, Lt. Col William O'Dea, Chairman Shane O'Dea and one hundred seventy members of the O'Dea Clan congratulated Maureen in a hospitable County Clare fashion. 

The National Library of Ireland have listed their 'Genealogy at Lunchtime' lecture series for August. For further information please use;
http://www.nli.ie/en//list/current-events.aspx

Clans of Ireland would like to wish the many clans that are having gatherings over the forthcoming months every success.
It is hoped that these gatherings will engender a spirit of camaraderie and promote scholarly pursuit of genealogy and the histories of the families and clans.
For further details please go to the Gatherings page of this website.

Amidst the multitude of events taking place throughout the island of Ireland marking the millennium of the Battle of Clontarf, Clans of Ireland held its Annual Conference at the Mansion House in Dublin on the 11th and 12th of April. Attendees were treated to a lecture in which Dr. Howard Clarke (Professor Emeritus) cogently expressed the view that the Battle of Clontarf was a battle between the rulers of opposing kingdoms of eleventh century Ireland to gain regal supremacy throughout the island, with an intriguing woman, Gormlaith, central to the plot. Nearby, at Trinity College, during the same weekend, similar views were expounded at a series of lectures hosted by Dr. Seán Duffy of the TCD Dept. of History. Seán Duffy's position is that Brian Boru's tactics prevented the Vikings from further expansion in Ireland.
The assembled gathering  of Clan representatives at the Mansion House, all history enthusiasts, were intrigued by Dr. Clarke's persuasive propositions, novel to some and fascinating for all. Heretofore, history books have generally led to the belief that the Battle of Clontarf was an altercation between the Christian Irish and the expansionist pagan Vikings. However, Howard Clarke's dissertation is at variance with this line of thinking. He contends that the Battle of Clontarf was fought with Irish leaders using Irish and Viking allies on both sides. He questioned whether the Battle of Clontarf was in fact a victory for Brian Boru and proposed that while it was a military victory and while it resulted in the Uí Neill monopoly of the high-kingship being broken; it was a political loss for Brian's descendants, as he and Murchad, his heir, were killed and Donnchad, who succeeded him, never achieving the same level of power as his father. A copy of his lecture will be made available on this website shortly.
Dr. Michael Egan, Cathaoirleach, has invited Members of Clans of Ireland  to participate in a Battle of Clontarf Commemorative Ceremony to be held on Wednesday 23rd April at Christ Church Cathedral, by sending Ceannairí or their representatives. This is being hosted in association with one of Clans of Ireland registered Members, the O'Brien Clan and is being led by the Very Rev. Dean Dermot Dunne. It is expected that the Government will be represented. A procession of Clans of Ireland will take place led by Conor, The O'Brien. It is indeed  fitting that this commemoration should take place at Christ Church Cathedral, the spiritual home of Clans of Ireland, as much of the secular work of our organisation is conducted there. The history of the Cathedral dates back to Sitriuc Silkbeard, leader of the Dublin Vikings at the Battle of Clontarf who is said to have visited Rome, many years later and is reputed to have brought back relics, which were to be used in the development of this wonderful Cathedral.
The Tanaiste, Eamon Gilmore and his Government colleague, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltcht, Jimmy Deenihan formally launched the Battle of Clontarf Millennium Commemorations at a reception at Iveagh House on Wednesday April 16th; when the events which are to take place at Armagh, Clare, Dublin and Tipperary were outlined. Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh represented Clans of Ireland. Further information may be found at www.brianborymillennium.ie.
It was appropriate that Holy Thursday was chosen as the date for the unveiling of the Brian Boru Millenium Crown by the direct descendent of Brian Boru, Conor, The O'Brien. The event, held at Dublin Castle, was organised in association with Jewels for Cures, a cancer clinical research charity. Donations are welcome to this very worthy cause throughout 2014 and donors names will be inscribed on a scroll to accompany the Crown. The crown itself will be on public display at Dublin Castle until April 25th when it will be removed to Clontarf Castle where it will be on view to attendees at the O'Brien Clan Gathering.
 

Clans of Ireland was fortunate to have an eminent historian give a presentation on the events surrounding Brian Boru and the Battle of Clontarf at its AGM on 12 April 2014.   Howard Clarke is professor emeritus of medieval socio-economic history at University College Dublin, and a member of the Royal Irish Academy.
Currently he is preparing, with Ruth Johnson, the Dublin city archaeologist, a collection entitled Before and after the Battle of Clontarf: the Vikings in Ireland and Beyond, to be published by Four Courts Press in late 2014.
Dr. Clarke has kindly agreed to make his talk available on the Clans of Ireland website.  The principal sources referred to in the presentation are the Annals of Ulster (AU) and the Annals of Innisfallen (AI).

 A service to commemorate the millenial date of the Battle of Clontarf is to be held at Chriat Church Cathedral on April 23rd. Representatives of all registered clans are invited to attend on this enormously historic occassion. Please contact goc@clansofireland.ie

Clontarf 1014 -  battle of clans?
 
In many ways, the Battle of Clontarf was a family affair. Contrary to popular perception, the central figure was not Brian Boru but Sitriuc Silkbeard, the king of Dublin. In 1014 he was Brian's son-in-law, while his mother Gormlaith was Brian's former wife and she and her brother Máel Mórda, the king of Leinster, were in alliance with Sitriuc. Brian and Máel Mórda were both killed in the fighting, whereas Sitriuc and Gormlaith lived to tell the tale. On a family level, the real victor of the battle was Sitruic Silkbeard.
Since the beginning of recorded time, the Irish aristocracy had been clan-based. This can be illustrated by the rotating kingship of the province of Leinster, which would not have been possible without an awareness of and general recognition of common ancestry. Similarly, the high-kingship of Ireland was an Uí Néill monopoly by tradition, until this pattern was disrupted by Brian Boru in 1002. His assumption of the high-kingship had the effect, not of uniting Ireland under a single royal dynasty, but of paving the way for the 'trembling sod' of the mid-twelfth century.
The Battle of Clontarf is surrounded by myths, the greatest of which is that Brian saved Ireland from a Viking conquest. For one thing his Munster army included Vikings from Limerick. For another, whatever the intentions of the Vikings from abroad who participated in the epic battle may have been, there was no prospect of such a conquest. The clans of Ireland would have prevented it, as they had always done. Brian Boru and his son Murchad played an heroic part along with many others and deserve to be remembered for that.
Howard Clarke
31 March 2014

“ Address of the Cathaoirleach and Leas Cathaoirleach at the Commemorations Ceremony to mark the Millennium of the Battle of Clontarf, at Christ Church Cathedral”.Christ Church, Dublin         23 April 2014
Rev Dean Dunne, Honoured Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, a cháirde
As Chairman of Clans of Ireland I am honoured to have been asked to say a few words to you on this auspicious occasion.
You will all be aware that approximately 1000 years ago Sitric Silkenbeard , who was the Viking leader in Dublin, had converted to Christianity, “gave up his auld sins” and built a cathedral on this very spot. Those of you who have had a chance to visit the crypt below the cathedral will have seen the very foundations laid by Sitric’s tradesmen. Without doubt he would have visited the works on a daily basis when the cathedral was being built and seen the ox blood being mixed with the lime mortar to give strength which would support the church above for centuries to come. Did you notice the ox blood?
Just down the hill, both north and south, were the Viking wattle houses and life went on as normal on a daily basis. Pigs and chickens  to be fed, cattle to be bought and sold and clothes to be made or repaired. No doubt weapons would have to be made and resharpened. There was still plenty of fighting to be done. Stocktaking of plundered gold and silver from the Irish monasteries would not have been a main “banking” activity as most of the monasteries would have been cleaned out of such by the year 1014.
Sitric would have stayed close to this cathedral on Good Friday 1014 and let others do the fighting out in Clontarf.  By nightfall the word would have come back that the Vikings and their allies had been defeated by Brian Boru and his clansmen. The writing was on the wall for the Viking plundering and the shipping of slaves to all parts of the known world. The large sums of money available for  slaves such as learned scribes and hard working men and women was to cease and peace seemed to settle on the land……until the arrival in 1169 of the next visitors to our shores ..the Normans. Then  St Lawrence O’Toole stood outside this cathedral and asked them not to burn the city…..but “sin sceal eile”.
Ladies and gentlemen you walk on hallowed  ground.
Thank you and enjoy the day.
Michael JS Egan
Cathaoirleach, Clans of Ireland

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This afternoon, marks the millennium of a very special occasion in Ireland’s history. It should not be viewed as the celebration of a victory, where the victor in the battle lay dead with, by some accounts, 1,600 of his own men, while the numbers of the vanquished who perished may possibly have been far more. No Ladies and Gentleman, I ask you to view this as a commemoration of the many lives that were lost, fighting for a political cause which helped to shape medieval Ireland. The individual aspirations of the principals involved may be analysed for years to come by historians, but it is true to say that the result of the Battle led to a slightly more representative political system in Ireland. It is for that reason that Brian Boru is classified as a great early Irish hero.
Clans of Ireland is the umbrella body which unites contemporary Irish clans and families, whose histories are ancient, while promoting intellectual research into genealogy, history and culture. It could indeed be said that our aim to unite the clans of Ireland is similar to what Brian Boru set about doing a millennium ago. His use of military tactics is of course completely out of step in our modern Ireland, but it is possible to draw a parallel between Brian Boru’s ambitions and ours.
While it may be a jest to call us ‘the Fighting Irish’, it is now more likely to be considered an anachronistic insult. However, it is an unassailable fact that there was much internecine warfare among neighbouring kings and chiefs a thousand years ago. Yet, although we think of our contemporary national army as having peacekeeping as its sole purpose and consider our political system to be more representative of the population as a whole than in Brian’s era, we are truly fortunate to have been able to retain and celebrate our culture and traditions, much of which dates back to the early medieval period.
Thus, as we commemorate the countless lives that were lost at the battle, I would like you to listen to the names, in the ancient Irish and Norse languages, of the participating notables and compare with the names of our Clan Ceannairi and representatives, which I will read shortly. I have compiled this first list mainly from the very well researched book ‘Brian Boru and the Battle of Clontarf’ by Dr. Seán Duffy of Trinity College Dublin, who, in turn, mainly used;
 
 
The 12th. Century Cogadh Gáedhel re Gallaibh,
The Annals of Ulster
The Annals of Inisfallen
The Annals of Clonmacnoise
The Annals of Loch Cé
 
 
May I now recall the names of the notables who were with Brian and his Allies
The man himself,
Brian mac Cennétig, progenitor of the O’Briens of Thomond, Limerick and Tipperary and ancestor of the McMahons of Clare
His son Murchadh
His son Tairdelbach mac Murchad
Conaing mac Donncuain mac Cennétig (a nephew of Brian)
Tadhg ua Ceallaigh, son of Murchad, King of Uí Maine and Progenitor of the Ó Ceallaigh of Uí Maine
Máel Ruanaid ua hEidin, King of Uí Fiachrach Aidne in North East Connacht, a nephew of Brian’s first wife
Domhnall Mac Diarmata of the Corca Baiscind in West Clare
Mac Bethad mac Muiredaig of Corca Luachra in North Kerry
Mothla mac Domhnaill mic Fáeláin of Deisí Muman whose head was buried beside Brian in the same tomb at Armagh. Apparently the mayhem was so intense that they could not identify his decapitated torso.
Máel Sechnaill mac Domhnaill, the first King of Tara not to be considered by the writers of the annals as King of Ireland
Domnall mac Eimin mic Cainnich, whose family’s title is now Earl of Mar and Kellie in North Eastern Scotland
Cú Duilig mac Cennétig a grand nephew of Brian
Géibennach na Dubagáin King of Fer Maige
Scanlán mac Cathail King of the Eoghanacht of Loch Léin
Some historians and annals contend that Tadhg ua Conchobhair and Fergal ua Ruairc were not at the battle, but I am naming them as some sources claim that they were there.
And now the notables of Leinster & Viking Dublin
Sitriuc mac Amlaíb or Sitryg Silkenbeard Viking leader of Dublin, who is said to have remained within the safety of the walls of Dublin during the battle.
Máelmórda   King of Eastern Liffey and in 1014 King of Leinster, who is recounted as having died in hand to hand combat with Conaing, Brian’s nephew. He was ancestor of O’Byrnes
Amlaíb or Óláfr mac Lagmainn.  Brother of Sitryg and one of the five chiefs of the Dubliners killed at the Battle.
Siucraid mac Lodur or Jarl Sigrid of Orkney who was in joint command and whose mother is thought to have been Gaelic
Gilla Chiaráin mac Glún Iain, whose father had been king prior to Sitriuc and who was heir designate to his uncle. It should be noted that he bore a very Christian name after the founder of Clonmacnoise.
Bródar, Commander of the Viking fleet who came from either the Isle of Man or York, depending on which annals one believes.
Máelmórda mac Murchada King of Leinster
Dúnlaing mac Tuathail
Suairtgair
Donnchad ua Erluib
Griséne
Luimne
Before asking the Ceannairí and representatives to present themselves to Mac Aodhagáin and to Ó Brian, representing the contemporary Clans of Ireland and the O’Brien Clan I would like to recite this brief translated excerpt from the Cogadh, describing the battle which may give you pause to consider the fate of the clansmen as they went into battle
“These had for the purposes of battle and combat, and for their defence, sharp, swift, bloody, crimsoned, bounding, barbed, keen, bitter, wounding terrible, piercing, fatal, murderous, poisoned arrows, which had been anointed and browned in the blood of dragons and toads, and water snakes of hell, and of scorpions and otters, and wonderful venomous snakes of all kinds, to be cast and shot at active and warlike and valiant chieftains.
Ladies and gentlemen, may I now call on the Ceannairí or the representatives of the clans of Ireland to come forward and symbolically meet with Conor, the O’Brien, the direct descendent of Brian Boru and Michael Egan, Chairman of Clans of Ireland. Those who claim a heritage from Leinster and Leth Cuinn, unless allied to the Uí Maine can you please shake the hand of Mac Aodhagáin and Ó Briain in peace, while those of you from the heritage of Leth Moga, Tuath Muman  and Ui Maine can you please shake the hand of Mac Aodhagáin and to Ó Brian in unity.
May I now request;
O’Briain Tuath Mumhan (O’Brien of Thomond)
Ó Ceallaigh  Ui Maine (O’Kelly of Ui Maine)  
Ui Chruadhlaoich Corcaigh (Crowley of Cork)
Mac Fhionnghaile Dhún Na nGall (McGinley of Donegal)
MacFhlannchaidh (Mac Clancy)
Ó Gadhra Cúil Ó bhFinn (O’Gara of Coolavin)
Ó Leathlobhaire Laoise (O’Lawlor of Leix)
Mac Mhadóc Mac Murchadha (Weadick)
Ó Mathúna Raithlind (O’Mahony of Raithlinn) 
Bréifne Ó Raghallagh (O’Reilly Breifne)
Ó Tighearnaigh (O’Tierney)
Ó hUigín Cenél Fiachrach (O’Higgins of Cenél Fiachrach)
For those of you who may have missed the name of Tadhg ua Ceallaigh, one of Brian’s allies and my progenitor, I would like the congregation to pause to remember that the army of Brian mac Connetig was not alone on the day and that there were many clansmen from many parts of southern and western Ireland who fought with them, including the household troops of Tadhg ua Ceallaigh. It was these who killed Arnaill Scot at Dubgalls bridge, who was reputed to have been the last of the men of Dublin to die. However, it was also reported that only a hundred of the Connaught army survived and Tadhg ua Ceallaigh himself lost his life. So, it is fitting that a thousand years later, we the clans from throughout Ireland have come together again to support this symbolic O’Brien initiative.
Lastly, before we proceed ceremonially out of this magnificent Christ Church Cathedral and leave Dean Dunne and his pastoral flock in peace, I would like to recall a curious and alternative account given as the reason for the epic Battle. It was said that a merchant, said to be the son of the King of Denmark had entrusted his beautiful wife to the care of Brian while he travelled away on business. Murchad, the son of Brian, we are told ‘made suit to her and won her love and lay with her’.
This ladies and gentleman is an example of why it is generally accepted that most people in this room could claim that in all likelihood they have, if not O’Brien DNA in their system, they most certainly have the blood of someone who fought at the historic battle, coursing through their veins.
Therefore, let me invite you all to follow, in procession, the Clan Ceannairí, led by the O’Brien Pipe and Drum Band as they now leave the Cathedral, after which we have been invited to the magnificent crypt for a cup of tea or something by Dean Dunne.
 
Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh

 Clans of Ireland has announced an initiative to publish, initially on this website, the names of every person, their associated tribe and where possible, the descendent surname, recorded as having played a part at the Battle of Clontarf. Registered Clans are being requested to make submissions.
A Roll of Honour ceremony will take place at Christ Church Cathedral on April 23rd, 1,000 years to the day, after the Battle.

The Chancellor of the Order of Clans of Ireland, Chev. Sean McClafferty has announced that the Council of the Order has approved the appointment of the following individuals as Companions of the Order of Clans of Ireland.

Lt-Colonel Lyn David McMullen Historian of the McMullen Clan

The Very Rev Fr J Anthony Gaughan, PhD, D.Litt.

All of the above were chosen for this honour because of their significant contributions to Irish culture, heritage and public life.

The conferral ceremony will take place on Friday 11th April in the Mansion House when Philip O'Conor, Tanist of Ó Conchobhair Donn will present them with the insignia of the Order of Clans of Ireland.

2014 is the Millennium of one of Ireland's most defining battles, the Battle of Clontarf. The Irish fought against the Irish and the Irish fought against the Vikings. There are commemorations throughout the island of Ireland durin 2014, at centres in Armagh, Tipperry, Dublin and Clare.
Brian Boru, Chief of the Dal Cais Clan, whose territory was in the present day County Clare, as King of Munster led the Irish against the forces against the allied forces of Mael Mórda mac Murchada, the King of Leinster and Sigtrygg Silkbeard, leader of the Vikings. The battle was fought approximately where Croke Park, our national Gaelic games staium, is now located.
Brian Boru's ambitious plan was to unify the Island under one central government over which he intended to reign as High King. He won enormous support from many Munster and Connaught clans, including that of Tadhg Mór Ó Ceallaigh of the Uí Maine Clan. However, many others did not support him and it was this revolt against his expansionist ambitions that led to the Battle of Clontarf on Good Friday, April 23rd. 1014. It was considered a great victory for Brian Boru, but it was personally pyrrhic, as Brian Boru was amongst the over 10,000 people who died t the battle. Historians consider that the most important result of the battle was that it stopped further expansion by the Vikings in Ireland.
For information on events throughout the year:
www.brianborumillennium.ie
 

Conor, The O'Brien, Chief of the O'Brien Clan will receive the Clan Ceannairi at the Parade of Clans at this years Annual Conference. Conor, The O'Brien is the direct descendent of Brian Boru.

APRIL 23 – 27, 2014

CENTERED AT CLONTARF CASTLE HOTEL _O’BRIEN CLAN FOUNDATION HEADQUARTERS
PLEASE NOTE DURING THIS PERIOD THERE ARE MANY OFF_SITE EVENTS AND INFORMATION ON ALL AVAILABLE THROUGH O’BRIEN CLAN CONCERAGE AT THE CLONTARF CASTLE HOTEL

APRIL 23, 2014     - WEDNESDAY

MID DAY –WELCOMING EVENT - CHRISTS CHURCH  CATHEDRAL– O’BRIEN CLAN GATHERING – ALONG WITH CLANS OF IRELAND- SPECIAL MUSICAL PERFORMANCE BY BRIAN BARU PIPE AND DRUM BAND _ WELCOME TO THE MILLENIUM FROM “THE O’BRIEN” Brian Boru Band Musical Performance – Welcoming Speeches from the Chief to All CLANS OF IRELAND. TOUR OF THE CATHEDRAL INCLUDING GRAVE OF ‘STRONG BOW.” REMARKS BY DIGNITARIES PRESENT. SPECIAL AUDIENCE WITH DEAN DUNNE of CHRISTS CHURCH CATHEDRAL.
LATE AFTERNOON – CLONTARF CASTLE HOTEL – OUTDOORS AND IN ATRIUM ASSEMBLES AND:
Welcoming Remarks and Introductions:
Designating O’Brien Clan Official Medallion for the Millennium Festival.

Designating the Shield and Sword Family Roots Items as Official O’Brien Clan Memorials for the Millennium Festival
and retiring into private reserved pub hotel. SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF SWORDS AND SHIELDS OF O’BRIEN CLAN – PERFORMANCE BY BRIAN BORU PIPE AND DRUM BAND – TRADITIONAL IRISH ENTERTAINMENT AND MUCH MORE.

5: 30 Rugby Event at Clontarf Field CLOSE BY and Invited Back to PRIVATE PUB (Knights or Indigo Lounge) To JOIN CLAN GATHERING. Clontarf versus the Barbarians in the real Battle of Clontarf.

APRIL 24, 2014 - THURSDAY
POETRY READING. STORY TELLING,CHILDRENS EVENTS AT HOTEL THROUGHOUT THE DAY – EXHIBITS –SILENT AUCTION –BOOK SIGNINGS- MORGAN LLEWYLYN – MARTIN BREEN – EXHIBITS – Small IRISH ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE FOUR DAYS AT CLONTARF CASTLE HOTEL STORE OPEN FOR MEDALION AND BRIAN BARU COMMEMORATIVE SWORD AND SHIELD AND SPECIAL BRIAN BARU ITEMS FROM BRIAN BARU STORE OF KILLALOE INCLUDING GIFTS FOR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN.
CONTINUOUS SHOWING OF BRIAN BORU TWO SEPARATE MOVIES THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
ANNOUNCEMENT AND VIEWING OF NEW STAMP ISSUE COMMEMORATING EVEN
The stamp issue showcasing the amazing talents of BBC Time Team illustrator Victor Ambrus and is supported by expert text by Howie Firth Director of the Orkney International Science Festival (www.oisf.org) and Dr Ragnhaild Ljosland of Orkney of the Centre for Nordic Studies at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
ART WORK WILL BE ON VIEW IN LOBBY AREA

The issue includes a set of six stamps in mint condition, a First Day Cover, an envelope featuring all the stamps postmarked with the first day of issue, and a Presentation Pack, which includes not only the stamps in mint condition, but also a four-sided folder featuring more illustrations and information about the great battle.

DURING DAY – BUS TOUR TO CASINO MARINO to view CLONTARF BATTLEFIELD DUBLIN CASTLE AND CASINO TO VIEW CLONTARF WORLD FAMOUS ORIGINAL PAINTING DEPICYTING THE BATTLE OF CLONTARF AND BRIAN BARU by artist Hugh Frazer returned to Ireland to be viewed during the Millennium.

5: OO –6:30 ASSEMBLE – COCKTAILS AND ORDERVES – ANNOUNCEMENT FROM O’BRIEN CLAN FOUNDATION _ KILLALOE – THE FUTURE OF O”BRIEN CLAN FOUNDATION – Presentation of IRISH HERITAGE AWARD PRESENTATION. Dignitaries from U.S. and Ireland Invited for this special presentation to a distinguished O’Brien family.
DINNER ON YOUR OWN
APRIIL 25, 2014 FRIDAY

MORNING: SPECIAL VISIT TO TRINITY COLLEGE TO VIEW KELLS DOCUMENTS LIMITED SPACE ACCOMPANIED BY AND GUEST OF Professor Ditchburn.

EVENING:

THE O’BRIEN CLAN MILLENIUM BANQUET –
HIGHLIGHT OF THE OBRIEN CLAN REUNION IN DUBLIN FOR CLONTARF AND THE 1000 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF BRIAN BORU _THE HIGH KING OF IRELAND. THIS COULD BE THE HIGHLIGHT EVENT
OF THE WEEK FOR THE MILLENIUM- SPACE IS LIMITED. TICKETS AVAILABLE THROUGH IRISH TOURISM
THE OBRIEN CLAN MILLINEUM BANQUET WILL BE THE HIGHLIGHT OF THIS SPECIAL WEEKS FESTIVITIES- ALL CLANS OF IRELAND AND DIGNITARIES ARE INVITED.
OUTSTANDING IRISH ENTERTAINMENT. SPECIAL DIGNITARIES IN ATTENDANCE. CELEBRITIES. SMART DRESSED SPECIAL FEAST. TOASTING SPONSORED BY CASTLE BRANDS BRIAN BORU VODKA ANDWHISKEY.

                                                                       IN ADDITION
THROUGHOUT CONFERENCE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO BE PRESENTED IN ARTS, MOVIES, NEW BOOKS RELATING TO BRIAN BARU –SOME EXAMPLES; masterful work of genius by musicians that are breaking new ground and opening new doors as they transverse our musical horizons"
Deep End of The Ford combine four of the most progressive avant-garde talents in improvised and folk music; with the spoken word of Celtic prehistory; to "create a seemingly ancient sound out of instrumentation that is anything but ancient"
They create massively dynamic soundscapes that shift from peaceful melody to turbulent invocations of sorcery and battle.
Possibly their most unique and exciting feature is their reuse of texts from the dawn of Celtic history in their compositions. Their retelling of The Táin sees them use a text that was transcribed in the 8th century AD, to explode a mythological epic -which was formed in the 3rd C. BC- on the modern senses.

JOHNNIE DYNAMITE –MOVIE IN PLANNING ABOUT O’BRIEN AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR HERO AND OTHER PLANNED ARTISTIC ENDEAVORS INCLUDING UPDATES ON PLANNED BRIAN BORU HOLLYWOOD MOVIE
AND IN ADDITION SPECIAL ACCESS TO OFFSITE ACTIVITIES SUCH AS  THE CLONTARF BATTLE TRAIL AND VIKING VILLAGE : The trail will consist of a series of heritage boards, approximately every 0.5km on the Clontarf Promenade between the Alfie Byrne Road and the Wooden Bridge. The heritage boards will be double sided and mounted perpendicular to the path. The six boards will outline the story of the Vikings, Brian Boru and the Battle of Clontarf in word, map and illustration in Irish and English. Daily guided tours, at 2.30pm will be provided during the two weeks of Easter from the 13th – 27th April 2014.

APRIL 26, 2014 SATURDAY

10:00 – 1:00 BOARD MEETING OF O’BRIEN CLAN FOUNDATION WEBCAST AND SKYPE – ANNOUNCEMENTS OF REVITALISED GOALS – PARTNERSHIP WITH KILLALOE – INTRODUCTION OF NEW BOARD MEMBERS AND SUCH MATTERS AS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS< GENEOLOGY PROJECT
INTRODUCTION OF NEW BOARD MEMBERS AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
CONFERENCE WRAP UP.

APRIL 27,   2014
WE DEPART FOR ARMAGH FOR 3:15 SERVICE AT ST. PATRICK’S WHERE BRIAN BORU IS BURIED. WRITTEN INVITATIONS REQUIRED SO EARLY REQUESTS FOR INVITATIONS REQUIRED.

After his death at the battle of Clontarf on Good Friday, 1014, Brian Boroimhe, High King of Ireland, was buried ‘on the north side of the great church’ at Armagh.  The Church of Ireland Cathedral of St Patrick, which stands on the site, incorporates a memorial tablet in its north wall.  A service will be held to mark the millennium of the burial of Brian Boroimhe on Sunday 27th April 2014 at 3.15 p.m.

Based on the Anglican liturgy of Choral Evensong, the service will be ecumenical in character, including both commemoration of the burial and prayer for the Ireland of today.  Mark Patrick Hederman, OSB, Abbot of Glenstal, will preach.
 

Mrs Maura Whitty R.I.P.
It is with deep sadness and regret that we announce the death of Mrs. Maura Whitty (nee Stafford) who passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on the night of 3rd./4th. March.
Funeral Mass will be held at 12.00 on Thursday March 6th at Barntown Church, County Wexford. The family have requested that donations in lieu of flowers be sent to the Wexford Hospice Homecare.
Maura has been an ardent supporter of Clans of Ireland for many years and pivotal to her own Whitty of Ballyteige Clan in Wexford. The Board of Clans of Ireland are collectively shocked and saddened by Maura's untimely passing. May she rest in peace.

Paul Whitty of Kentucky in the USA has been elected Chief of the Whitty Clan. He was born in Louisville Kentucky and was the person that prompted the start of the Whitty Clan Association back in the early 1990s.  His Irish roots go back to his ancestors born in c1800 in Wexford.
Paul is very much involved in Irish Music and Irish Societies being one of the co-founders of the Louisville Irish Fest, a member of the "Drowsy Maggie", "Galloglass" and Louisville Pipe Band. Paul has also wrote and produced two productions of an outdoor play on the life of St Francis of Assisi.  Paul is married with 2 children and 2 grandchildren. Paul is a Solicitor with Goldberg Simpson.
End
 
 

At the McCabe Clan Rally on 18th August 2013 was presided over by Honorary Chieftain, Mike Mc Cabe from Pennsylvania, who flew to Ireland for the ceremony during which he presented certificates to those attending.

Karl O'Higgins of Ballynary succeeded as Chief of the O'Higgins at a gathering of his family in Dublin on 17th August 2013.

Anne Curtin Emperor ASkaneateles, NY was reelected for a term of 2 years as Curtin Clan Chief at their meeting in Macroom, Ireland, July 27, 2013.
 
 

 
The remains of the last reigning royal family of Yugoslavia were recently accorded a State Funeral by the modern Republic of Serbia, after decades of exile and entombment abroad.  Clans of Ireland was represented amongst the various European and other royal and noble families, and other dignitaries present.
H.E. Ambassador Francis Martin O’Donnell, delegate of Clans of Ireland laid a remembrance wreath at the foot of the cask of the late King Peter II of Yugoslavia, on behalf of Ireland’s ancient royal and noble clans and historic families.
The mortal remains of King Peter II Karadjorjević, Queen Alexandra and the Queen mother, Maria, as well as Prince Andrew, had been exhumed and repatriated some months ago from disparate burials over several decades in the USA (King Peter was the only monarch ever buried in the USA), England, and Greece. The funeral to the Royal Mausoleum of St. George in Oplenac in central Serbia on Sunday was led by H.R.H. Crown Prince Alexander II and Serbia’s President H.E. Mr. Tomislav Nikolić, attended by Prime Minister Mr. Ivica Dačić, and other dignitaries. President Nikolić observed that this was a cause for national reconciliation and unity, by correcting a historic injustice that had been perpetrated on the Karadjorjević dynasty by the former communist rulers of Yugoslavia, who abolished the monarchy and exiled its members. Crown Prince Alexander II, heir of the late King, observed that this event was a momentous occasion not only for his family but for all of Serbia, whose modern statehood was created when his ancestor, Kara-Djordj, liberated the country from foreign occupation. The former Serbian and later Yugoslav monarchy was one of the few dynasties indigenous to the region.
Among representatives of foreign countries with reigning royal families the funeral was also attended by several ambassadors as well as leaders of the Orthodox, Catholic, and Islamic faiths.  The President of the UN General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Vuk Jeremić, a former Serbian foreign minister, also attended. In addition to Clans of Ireland being represented by Ambassador O’Donnel, Ireland was represented by Ms. Anne Pesic, resident Honorary Consul of Ireland in Serbia.
Ambassador O’Donnell served in Belgrade from 2000 to 2004 as the UN resident representative and coordinator, supporting the immediate post-Milosevic transition to stability in both Serbia and Montenegro. He was subsequently the UN representative/coordinator in Ukraine during and after the Orange Revolution, and recently completed a term as ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Slovakia. He is a member of the Board of the Clans of Ireland, the authority for authenticating and registering Irish clans and historic families, where he has represented the Clan O’Donnell of Tyrconnell for the past two years.
 

On May 22nd Dr. Mary McAleese, 8th President of Ireland became a Companion of the Order of Clans of Ireland (CIOM) at a ceremony in Rome. The award was presented by His Excellency Mr. Patrick Hennessy, Ambassador of Ireland to Italy at the Villa Spada. Clans of Ireland was represented by Mr. Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh, Vice Chairperson. The ceremony was followed by a formal dinner attended by members of the Irish Community in Rome. Dr. McAleese was chosen to receive the Order of Clans of Ireland for her work on building bridges between the nationalist and  unionist traditions in Ireland.
 

Minister for Arts, Heritage & Gaeltacht Mr. Jimmy Deenihan, is welcomed to St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Canada by His Excellency Mr. Ray Bassett, Irish Ambassador to Canada and Baron Denis Hoban, Ceannaire of the Hoban Clan.

The Chancellor of the Order of Clans of Ireland, Chev. Sean McClafferty has announced that the Council of the Order has approved the appointment of the following individuals as Companions of the Order of Clans of Ireland.
 
Dr. Mary McAleese, President of Ireland 1997-2011
Ambassador Brian Ó Cheallaigh, Irish Diplomat (retired)
Monsignor Pádraig O Fiannachta, Professor of Irish at Maynooth College (retired)
An tUasail Cathaoir Ó Tighearnaigh, Ceannaire Cumann na gClann Uí Thighearnaigh.
 
 
All of the above were chosen for this honour because of their significant contributions to Irish culture, heritage and public life. The conferral ceremony will take place on Saturday 27th April in the Mansion House when the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht will present them with the insignia of the Order of Clans of Ireland. Dr. McAleese will receive her insignia at a separate ceremony at the Irish Embassy in Rome, Italy.

Clans of Ireland is delighted to announce that we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. This historic event took place at a meeting of the board on 26 January 2013 at Christ Church Cathedral. The MOU was signed for Clans of Ireland by Dr. Michael J.S. Egan, Cathaoirleach and for the Standing Council by Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor. As part of the agreement both organisations agree to recognise each other's authority over clans and to
support each other's respective goals.

The audio archive of the National Folklore Collection, University College Dublin, houses some 1,100 wax cylinder recordings of folk narratives, folk song and folk music. The earliest of these date from the 1890s on the occasion of the first national Feis Ceoil competitions, which were held in Dublin and Belfast. This unique collection spans almost sixty years of folklore recording up to the mid 20th century. A selection is now available on Béal Beo.

Baron Denis Hoban Ceannaire of the Hoban Clan is to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubiliee Medal. The Medal was created to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of the Queen of Canada in 2012. Baron Hoban is being honoured for his contributions to Canadian Society.

On 3rd July Mr. Jack Gargan of the MacGeoghegan Clan received the Order of Clans of Ireland at a ceremony in Bangkok, in the Kingdom of Thailand where he lives. Mr. Gargan was nominated by his clan and was presented with the award by the Irish Honorary Consul General in Thailand Mr. Gary Biesty. Mr. Gargan is a founder of the MacGeoghegan Clan Society.

The Tánaiste Mr. Eamon Gilmore T.D. officially launched the new website for Clans of Ireland on Thursday 19th July at 12.30pm at Government Buildings in Dublin.

The launch was also attended by members Senator Jimmy Harte and Senator David Norris both of whom held separate meetings with the board of Clans of Ireland at Leinster House, prior to the launch of the website at Government Buildings.

Speaking at the launch Chair of Clans of Ireland Dr. Michael J.S. Egan said “the internet is full of commercial sites that offer to connect members of the diaspora with their Irish Clan but fail to provide any authentic experience or follow through”… “The new website has been designed to make authentic information about Irish Clans and historical families more accessible and to assist those seeking to participate in The Gathering 2013 to contact a genuine Clan organisation”.

Anyone seeking to participate in The Gathering 2013 will be able to access information about their relevant clan gatherings through the Register of Clans which is authenticated and published on the website by Clans of Ireland. The number of Clan organisations is continuing to grow and Clans of Ireland ensures that these are authenticated according to historical and cultural standards.

Willie McKenna a member of the board of Clans of Ireland and a member of the Clan MacKenna of Monaghan was recently interviewed on Monaghan TV about how his Clan is planning to mark The Gathering 2013. To see the interview

click here
http://youtu.be/5SKUzMU9sXg

President Higgins receives board of Clans of Ireland at Áras an Uachataráin
 

On Monday 28th May President Higgins received members of the board of Clans of Ireland at Áras an Uachtaráin. President Higgins is Patron of Clans of Ireland. During the meeting the President accepted his insignia as Patron and member of the Order of Clans of Ireland. The President praised the work of Clans of Ireland.

The Minister for Trade, Tourism and Transport will confer the Order of Clans of Ireland on 4 individuals at a special ceremony at the Mansion House on Saturday 28th April 2012. The Minister has agreed to stand in for the Patron of Clans of Ireland President Higgins who was not available to attend the ceremony this year. Those chosen to receive the Order of Clans of Ireland were nominated by their Clans as an acknowledgement of their outstanding contributions to Irish heritage and culture.
 

The 2012 Annual General Meeting of Clans will take place on Saturday 28th April in the Oak Room at the Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2. We are grateful to the Lord Mayor of Dublin for inviting us again to hold the AGM and conferring of the Order of Clans of Ireland at his official residence. Further details will be issued in early 2012 but in the meantime put the date in your diaries.

Clans of Ireland is delighted to announce that harpist Áine Ní Dhubhghaill has agreed to perform at the conferring of the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit in the Mansion House, Dublin on the 28th April. Áine is from Dublin and was immersed in Irish traditional music from an early age. She has had numerous performances at harp festivals and concerts around the world including the US, Hungary, the Netherlands, Brittany, Wales, Scotland, England, Germany and Vietnam. She has premiered compositions by one of Scotland’s foremost harper composers, Savourna Stevenson and Dr Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin. Her recordings include several film scores and CDs and a feature on renowned Irish broadcaster Ciarán MacMathúna's RTÉ’s "A Touch of the Master's Hand" and the recently released RTÉ CD “ Masters of the Irish Harp”. As a Concert Harpist, Áine has played with orchestras and ensembles including the RTÉCO and the RTÉNSO. She teaches harp at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and has been a committee member of Cairde na Cruite for many years. Áine is co-editor of Rogha na gCruitirí, Harpers’ Choice – 100 traditional tunes for Irish harp, published by Cairde na Cruite in 2010 to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary. In May 2011 she was chosen by President McAleese to play for Queen Elizabeth II when she visited Áras an Uachataráin.

St. Patrick's Day 2012

The Council of the Order of Clans of Ireland announces the names of the individuals to be honoured in 2012. Having been nominated, those who receive the award of Companion of the Order of Clans of Ireland (CIOM) were selected by the Council of the Order based on their contributions to Irish Clans, Culture and Heritage. The following have been chosen to receive the Order of Clans of Ireland:

• Nuala Cassidy CIOM, genealogist responsible for identifying former United States President Bill Clinton's Irish roots.
• Vincent O'Donnell CIOM, historian, O'Donnell Clan Association secretary, activist and musician.
• Byron Egan (USA) JD CIOM, Vice Chair American M&A Committee American Bar Council, Chair of Texas Business Law Association.
• Michael D. Higgins CIOM, President of Ireland.
• James Mulvihill (USA) CIOM, former Research Chemist and Director of Research
• John Gargan (Thailand) CIOM, author and retired professor of finance, former National Chairman of the Reform Party (USA).
• Dr. Nollaig Ó Muraíle RIA CIOM, author and academic at National University of Ireland Galway who transcribed and translated MacFhirbhisigh’s Great Book of Irish Genealogies.

Conferring ceremonies will take place in Dublin, Bunratty and in Bangkok.

Adrian Gallagher, Ceannaire Clan Gallagher with Leo Varadkar, Minister for Tourism, Transport and Sport at the Colmcille School in Gartan, Co. Donegal on Sunday 26 February.

Clans of Ireland was sad to hear of the recent passing of the late Dr. Ramón O'Dogherty, Chief of the Name, in Cadiz, Spain (92 years of age). Dr. O'Dogherty was a Physician in Spain where his ancestors had settled in the 17th century. He studied Medicine at the Universities of Cadiz and Madrid. He was a member of the Royal Academies of Medicine of Palma de Mallorca, of San Romualdo of Letters, Arts and Sciences and was a member of the Supreme Council of the Knights Hospitaller of St. John the Baptist in Cadiz. In 1990, Dr. O'Dogherty visit his ancient territory in Donegal where he was acclaimed at an inauguration ceremony by a gathering of over 200 members of his clan. He was also a member of the Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains. He is survived by his wife Doña Catalina Fabra, daughters Cristina and Begoña, and his Tanist Ramón who will succeed his father as Chief of the Name.

The Mac Clafferty of Ulster Clan is pleased to announce that on the 15th March 2012
His Royal Highness Prince Dom Miguel de Braganca, Infante of Portugal and Duke of Viseu, was pleased to accept the office of Royal Patron of the Mac Clafferty of Ulster Clan. His Royal Highness was presented with a piece of Irish Bog Oak by the Clan Commander Sean McClafferty who was Invested on the occasion as a Knight in the Royal Order of St Michael of the Wing by the Duke.
Further details: http://www.mcclafferty.webs.com/