March 2012 - St. Patrick's Day - Order of Merit Announced

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.