_2009 Kelly Clan Gathering

A meeting of the Kelly Clan, from many parts of the world, will take place in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway on May 15th and 16th 2009. And for the first time ever the Kellys will be able to trace their relationship thanks to the work of Mr. Raymond Kelly of Florida - a worldwide authority on DNA.

Genealogy by genetics is a new Family Tree traceability founded by Bennett Greenspan of Houston, Texas and which has been backed worldwide by Mr. Raymond Kelly.

He will attend the Kelly Clan gathering in the Carlton Shearwater Hotel in Ballinasloe on May 15 and 16 next and speak on the exciting new breakthrough in DNA which can trace family relationships going back over five hundred years.

Already several Kelly families have traced relatives through this new DNA procedure which has helped to break through barriers heretofore impossible. The genetic tests now offered can determine relationships with a 99.9% accuracy.

Having tested several thousand people since its inception, Family Tree DNA currently has the largest database that enables people who match each other to be in touch, helping to uncover common ancestors. While the Family Tree can be built on a paper trail, the actual way of verifying relationships can only be done by DNA testing. More information on this project from this link: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kellydnaproject/

The Kelly name is the second most common surname in Ireland. There are approximately half a million people world-wide who bear this name. Whether the name is O’Kelly, Kelly, Kelley, Kellie, and the Irish firm O’Ceallaigh, they are all derived from the name Kelly. However the name did not spring from a single source but arose independently in several areas in Ireland, Scotland, England and the Isle of Man.

The Gathering of the Kelly Clan was formed in 1995 and every two years since they come together at venues where the name is to the fore. One third of the people of Connacht at one stage bore the Kelly name, stretching westwards from the River Suck in Ballinasloe where the Kellys of Hymany were undisputed kings. That is why one of the great Irish greetings of today is “Ta Failte Ui Cheallaigh romhat.”

Kelly members in South Galway have done Trojan work in tracing relations, going back to their “roots.” Former orthopaedic surgeon Joe Kelly of Oranmore is the group’s historian (email: joekellyhome@eircom.net); Hon. Sec. is Bernadette Kelly with her husband Michael as Treasurer both contactable in Ballindereen (kellyshellfish@eircom.net).

The next meeting of the organising committee will be held in the Ballinasloe Hotel on Saturday, 21st February at 2 o’clock when final arrangements will be made for the Clan Gathering on May 15th and 16th. It is hoped to arrange a number of social events as well as historical trips to Clontuskert and Kilconnell Abbeys, the Battlefield of Aughrim and Clonmacnoise for the Kelly Clan gathering. Well-known TV personalities Gerry Kelly of UTV and Matthew Kelly of ITV have already signified their intentions to attend the historic assembly.

 

Gathering 2009 Timetable

Friday, 15 May 2009

Registration in Marina Lounge @ 6.30pm Wine/Sherry reception

Saturday, 16 May 2009

  • 8.00am Mass in Hotel celebrated by Rt Rev Celsus Kelly OCSO
  • 9.20am: “Failte Ui Cheallaigh” Uactharan Muintir Ui Cheallaigh
  • 9.30am:Lecture Raymond Kelly DNA Study Coordinator Kelly Surname
  • 11.00am: Lecture Joe Kelly “Kellys and Religion”
  • 12.30pm: Soup and Sandwich Lunch
  • 1.30pm: Bus Tour to Clontuscart, Aughrim, and Kilconnell accompanied by Dr Harmon Murtagh
  • 8pm: Banquet

 

Sunday, 17 May 2009

  • 9.00am: Mass in St. Michaels Church, Ballinasloe.
  • 11.30am: General Assembly of all Clan Members. (Note:  Any topic you wish to have discussed at the General Assembly should be notified at least one month in advance to Bernie Kelly - Secretary)
  • 2.00pm: Buffet Lunch.

The cost for the Gathering, including lectures, 2 lunches, sherry reception, banquet dinner and bus tour is €120.00  Anyone wishing to attend individual events is welcome to attend at individual rates. Please fill and post the booking form.

Accommodation

Local B & B’s available.  Please contact Bernie Kelly on 091-777034 for details.

Alternative accommodation:

Gullanes Hotel: +353-90-9642220

Harbour Lodge: + 353-90-9643495

Aanders Guesthouse +353-90-544937

Cois Cuan B+B +353-90-543800

Curra Mor House +353-90-542292

Further information

Bernie Kelly Tel 353-91-777034 email berniekelly2@hotmail.com