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ORDER OF MERIT

Council:

Dr. Nollaig Ó Muraíle, MA, PhD, MRIA

Mr. Patrick Guiness KLJ

Dr. Edward Walsh 

Cathaoirleach Gníomhach:

Mr. Michael O’ Crowley

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.

There are no limitations on the number of people who can be admitted to the Order of Clans of Ireland. However, no more than four individuals can recieve the award each year.

CLANS OF IRELAND - ÁRAS AN ÚACHTARÁIN 28052012

ANNOUNCING THE 2026 RECIPIENTS OF THE CLANS OF IRELAND ORDER OF MERIT MEDAL:

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 the following individuals:

Hugo Ricciardi O’Neill CIOM, The O’Neill of Clanaboy (Clandeboy), The present Head of the O’Neill family in Portugal, Hugo Ricciardi O’Neill (born 1939), continues to occupy the Quinta das Machadas in São Julião, Setúbal.

He serves as Chairman of the Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains and is recognized as “The O’Neill”. He has been active in promoting understanding of the “unique political and social system of Gaelic Ireland and the essence of the values that formed the ancient Gaelic Culture”.

He has been President of the National Association of Historic Houses (Associação Portuguesa das Casas Antigas), a Governor of the European Historic Houses Association, and Chairman of the Clube Naval Setúbalense, among other roles.

His only son, and heir apparent, is Jorge Maria Empis O’Neill (born 1970).  ” Hugo has been a very strong supporter of the O’Neill Clans Association, he was due to come to the 2026 AGM but his health will unfortunately will prevent him from travelling; He is planning to come next year.

Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh CIOM, lives in County Clare, as all his ancestors have done since the Ui Cheallaigh were hereditary rectors at Killard and canons at Inis Cathaigh from the 14th Century and earlier at Tulla. In 1993 he co-founded the O’Kelly Clans Association. He joined the Board of Clans of Ireland in 2009 and soon recognized that the spirit of a clan lies in the close cultural association between each individual kindred group and the territory that it has historically occupied. This culminated in the registration of the Ó Ceallaigh Dal gCais as a member of Clans of Ireland.

With an economics and hotel management background, he developed restaurant, property and investment businesses in the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland. He has bred Irish event horses on his farm in County Limerick, while continuing his family’s tradition of hunting with hounds, throughout most of his life.

Memberships: Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Royal Dublin Society, Show Jumping Association of Ireland, Eventing Ireland, Field & Country Sports Society, Stephen’s Green Club, and several local historical societies and hunt clubs.

Pat O’Neill CIOM, founded Powerscreen International along with two other colleagues in 1966. He sold Powerscreen in 1986 and today it remains the world’s largest largest manufacturer of mobile screening equipment in the world. However the real legacy of Powerscreen and its founders has been the benefit it has brought to the community of Mid Ulster where over 300 manufacturers of materials handling equipment and the components required by them now exist. Many of these companies sprang from Powerscreen. Since the sale of Powerscreen.

Pat has stuck very firmly to his roots developing engineering businesses on a worldwide basis and remaining within similar sectors to where he started. He has also remained a key part in the community – mentoring younger business startups and supporting established businesses. The development of economic and business opportunities in his local and wider community has remained an area of interest which he continues to devote a lot of time to.

Pat has long had a deep interest in local and family history. He was one of the founding members of Donaghmore Historical Society in 1983. He is still an important part of the committee and plays a very active part in the society including delivering talks to its members, and to members of other historical societies, on a regular basis.

Pat has written a number of historical publications and has published two books: one on the Philosophy of
Powerscreen and the other called My Family History on his own O’Neill family history. The family history book is an extraordinary dive not just into his recent ancestors but reaches
right back to the O’Neills of Tyrone between the 13th and 17th centuries. It uses the latest DNA technology, oral history and written records to weave a rich, intriguing and memorable story of families lost and reconnected.

An ultimate accolade

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 the recipients as Companion of the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit will be made during the Saturday of the Annual
Summit, on Saturday 11th April 2026.

 A conferring ceremony is held in Dublin where those being honoured receive their insignia. Members are appointed as Companions of the Order of Clans of Ireland or in Irish Compánach Fhinte na hÉireann and may use the post-nominal letters CIOM.

Nominations are made through Clans who have maintained their registration with Clans of Ireland for three consecutive years or more up to the date of nomination, and also by the Board.

THE 2025 RECIPIENTS OF THE CLANS OF IRELAND ORDER OF MERIT MEDAL:

The Council of the Order of Merit was pleased to confer the appointment as a Companion of the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit upon the following individuals in a ceremony that took place at the 2025 Cultural Summit and AGM:

Madame Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop CIOM, the Guardian Chieftain of the O’Malley Clan for 10 years, during which time she has been instrumental in leading the growth and influence of the Clan.

The O’Malley Clan Association was founded in the late 1940s, initially to raise funds for the restoration of the Grace O’Malley castle of Carrigahowley, near Newport, County of Mayo on the shores of Clew Bay. The first Clan Rally was held in 1953 at the restored castle and Gatherings have been held annually since then. Each year a Tánaiste is elected, who succeeds to the Chieftainship a year later. The Chieftain represents the Clan in all

matters for the duration of their chieftainship, with the Guardian Chieftain providing continuity and guidance as chair of the Council of past Chieftains. She served as Chieftain in 1993-1994, organising a memorable Clan Rally on Clare Island. She was the first serving Chieftain to visit the USA and engage with O’Malleys in New York and Chicago. She edited the Clan Newsletter for many years and was a Director of the Granuaile Trust, which was set up to raise funding for the preservation of O’Malley heritage, such as the unique frescoes in the Cistercian Abbey on Clare Island. As an active member of the council of former chieftains, she has been centrally involved in the activities of the clan for over 30 years.

For over 20 years Ellen has been Co-Director of Bard Mythologies and the organiser of the Annual Bard Summer School Clare Island, County of Mayo. Bard Mythologies runs workshops, seminars and discussion groups exploring Irish myths and legends and their relevance to current discourse. It publishes materials arising from the various programmes and events. Ellen is a qualified psychotherapist and was a founder member of the MSc masters programme in
Psychoanalytical Psychotherapy in Trinity College. She has served as member of the board of the National Women’s Council of Ireland and the Task Force for the Child and Family Agency and she was also the chair of the Irish Council for Psychotherapy.

Ellen served as CEO for the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre for 10 years (2006-16). As a result of this role, she has become a highly respected advocate for the rights of victims of sexual violence in this jurisdiction. She was elected as chair of the board of the National Women’s Council of Ireland in 2017. She served as a member of the Board of Gaisce, The President’s Award, for 5 years, and was a member of The Legal Aid Board for 5 years. She is Adjunct Professor at the University of Limerick’s Law school where she works particularly with the Centre for Crime, Justice and Victims Studies.
Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop was elected to The Council of Europe’s GREVIO Committee, in June 2022. She now serves as a Vice President. GREVIO is the body of independent experts responsible for monitoring the implementation by the parties of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention)

Mr. Paddy Tuffy CIOM, is a resident of Enniscrone in the County of Sligo, and for the past forty years, has been one of the principal supporters behind O’Dowd clan. Whilst holding no specific role or rank within the clan structure, he has selflessly devoted his time and attention to raising the profile of our clan, as well as the wider community within Enniscrone and beyond. This support is given unbidden, and arises from a love of his community and the history of the area. Specifically, the support given to Gertie MacHale and Conor MacHale, in the organising of our first clan rally in 1990 was without a doubt one of the reasons that the clan has become the successful organisation that it is today. 

Since that time, both Paddy and his wife Chris, have been actively involved in the organisation of every rally. This is especially important as they are based locally, and have arranged so many aspects, where the personal touch is key. His contribution has been deeper than that. 

Paddy has contributed so much to individuals who have been searching for their own personal family history. Time and time again, we have pointed these people in the direction of Paddy, as his local knowledge seems limitless. Many people have returned to Ireland with this new found information being the starting point for their own personal journey of discovery. Indeed, our clan ranks many among its regular attendees, as those for whom Paddy has provided guidance and support. Paddy’s knowledge goes beyond O’Dubhda clan. He has a wealth of knowledge about the surrounding archaeology and history, from ring forts, to the megalithic stones that dot the area. He has knowledge of the families that came and went over the centuries. This has been fundamental to helping individuals carry on their own family research.

Mr Paddy Waldron CIOM, Pádraig Óg de Bhaldraithe CIOM, is known to many people around the World for the work that he has done since 2007 and continues to do in cultivating the attitudes and values which inform Irish society and the diaspora through the transmission of knowledge relating to our names and identity that has come to us from our ancestors. This work is fundamental to the principles of Clans of Ireland. Paddy has a keen interest in genealogy and local history and describes himself as “an amateur genealogist masquerading as a historian”. He makes his research available and gives of his time to numerous genealogical and historical organisations.
In synopsis his related biography includes having been:
• Chairman of the Council of Irish Genealogical Organisations (CIGO) for 2011 and 2012.
• Chairman of the Clare Roots Society from 2013 to 2017
• Public Relations Officer of the Kilrush and District Historical Society

Paddy is also author of many articles and a lecturer at many history society events and clan gatherings. In particular he lectured at the Clans of Ireland Cultural Summit in 2019, entitled Analysing and Understanding Y-DNA Results and Y-DNA Projects. Clan associations that have benefited from his knowledge include the O’Kellys, the O’Deas, the O’Hallorans and the Curtins. Societies to have benefited from his lectures and articles include:

The Genealogical Society of Ireland, the Shannon Archaeological and Historical Society, the Clare Roots Society, the Glin Historical Society, the Irish Genealogical Research Society, the Irish Family History Society, the Rathkeale and District Historical Society, the Irish Hellenic Society, the Castleconnell Historical Society, the Kilrush and District Historical Society, the Irish Palatine Association, the Limerick Historical Society, the Thomond Archaeological and Historical Society, the Kilkee History Society, the Mayo Genealogy Group, the Killaloe-Ballina Local History Society and the Friends of the Hunt Museum..

Past Recipients

List of People who have received the Order of Clans of Ireland in the past 

2025

The following individuals are appointed as Companions of the Clans of Ireland Order of Merits as of 17th March 2025

  • Madame Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop CIOM, Former Guardian Chieftain of the O’Malley Clan, instrumental in leading the growth and influence of the clan.
  • Mr. Paddy Tuffy CIOM, For over 40 years, has been one of the principal supporters behind the O’Dowd Clan.
  • Mr. Paddy Waldron CIOM / Pádraig Óg de Bhaldraithe CIOM, Author and lecturer. 

2024 

The following individuals are appointed as Companions of the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit as of 17th March 2024.

  • Mr. Connie Henry O’Farrell, Taoiseach of Farrell Clan.
  • Mr. Patrick Clarke de Dromantin

2020

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

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

2019

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

2018

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

2017

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

2016

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
  • Prof. Gregory K Egan MIEEE MACM MBCS FIET FIEAust CPEng CITP CIOM

2014

The following individuals are appointed as Companions of the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit (announced as of 17th March 2014, (St Patricks Day) Ireland ) 

  • Rev. Fr. J. Anthony Gaughan, CIOM
  • Lt. Col. Lyn David McMullen, CIOM 

2013

  • Her Excellency Dr. Mary McAleese CIOM, President of Ireland 1997-2011.
  • Ambassador Brian Ó Ceallaigh CIOM, retired Irish Diplomat .
  • Monsignor Pádraig Ó Fionnachta CIOM, retired professor of Irish, Maynooth College.
  • An tUasail Cathaoir Ó Tighearnaigh CIOM, Ceannaire Cumann na gClann Uí Thighearnaigh.

2012

  • Ms. Nuala Cassidy CIOM, genealogist responsible for identifying former United States President Bill Clinton’s Irish roots.
  • Mr. Vincent O’Donnell CIOM, historian, O’Donnell Clan Association secretary, activist and musician.
  • Mr. Byron Egan (USA) JD CIOM, Vice Chair American M&A Committee American Bar Council, Chair of Texas Business Law Association.
  • His Excellency Michael D. Higgins CIOM, President of Ireland.
  • Mr. James Mulvihill (USA) CIOM, former Research Chemist and Director of Research
  • Mr. 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 NUIG who transcribed and translated MacFhirbhisigh’s Great Book of Irish Genealogies.

2011

  • Mr. Liam Crowley CIOM, co-ordinator of Crowley Castle restoration project.
  • Mr. Riobard Ó Dwyer CIOM, seven times All Ireland triple jump champion and Munster Senior Accordion Champion.
  • Mr. Proinsias MagFhionnghaille CIOM, author, and founded of Síol organisation to promote education about traditional Irish clothing and weapons.
  • Dr. James O’Higgins Norman CIOM MStJ, author and academic at Dublin City University.
  • Mr. Peter James O’Neill CIOM, Chairman of the Michael Coleman Heritage Centre in Gurteen and member of Moygara Castle Preservation Project.
  • Mr. Tim O’Neill CIOM, historian, author and calligrapher, designed Plantation of Ulster Commemorative Stamp.
  • Ms. Margaret Curtin CIOM, genealogist and Clan organiser in Australia.