Muintir Uí Cheallaigh
The O’Kelly Clan Association
Clan Gathering 2007
The theme of this years Gathering of the O’Kelly Clan Association in Ireland will reflect on the Clan’s history in the northern part of its’ ancestral territory of Uí Máine or Hy Many. The Gathering will be held over the weekend from May 18th. to 20th. at the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon.
This is a return trip for the Clan to Roscommon. In 1995the inaugural Gathering Muintir Uí Cheallaigh was held at the same venue and a Gathering has been held on each alternate year since. The 2007 Gathering follows in the wake of the hugely successful Gathering at Clarinbridge, County Galway in 2005.
In the first half of the fifth century, Máine Mór, a direct descendant of Conn of the Hundred Battles obtained possession of that part of the south of Connaught. The area was subsequently enlarged by his descendants and both the Clan and the area became known as Uí Máine and subsequently anglicized to Hy Many.
Pyers O’Conor Nash has been invited, as the representative of the neighbouring O’Conor Clan, to be the Guest of Honour at the Gathering. The O’Conors (Ó Conchobhair) descend from the Kings of Connaught and the High Kings of Ireland. Like the O’Kellys, the O’Conors trace their history back to pre-Christian Gaelic times. Pyers O’Conor Nash lives at the ancestral O’Conor home of Clonalis, near Castlrea, Co. Roscommon.
Clan Ollamh, Historian and prominent Orthopedic Specialist, Dr. Joe Kelly of Oranmore, Co Galway has been invited to give a lecture, on the Saturday morning. Dr. Kelly who is reputed to be the World’s greatest living authority on Kellys and their history, recently published his “Kelly Annals “. It is available through all good bookshops or through Hugh Weir of Ballinakilla Press, Whitegate, Co. Clare.
Chris Allen, the original Clan Administrator, is having her exceptional organisational ability utilised, as she is helping to co-ordinating the event at a local level. John Kerrigan, renowned local historian and folklorist will be on hand throughout the weekend to share his passionate knowledge of the Roscommon O’Kellys and take members of the Clan on a guided tour that will take in Galey Castle, near Knockcroghery; Athleague, Kilmaine and Knockmaine. John has published a series of articles on the subject in the Roscommon Champion and Roscommon Life. Another acclaimed local historian, who was also in attendance at the inaugural Gathering and invited again is Albert Siggins whose work on wayside medieval crosses has been published in a number of historical journals. Other local historians that have been invited include William Gacquin, who holds a Masters in Local History from NUI Maynooth and James Moran, who has published on the history of Athleague.
Muintir Uí Cheallaigh, aims to foster awareness of Kelly heritage and promote kinship and friendship among all people of the name. Gatherings are held at locations associated with Kelly ancestors in Ireland. All people of the name Kelly or direct descendants are invited to join the Clan Association and to participate at the Gathering. Information may be had from the Clan Administrator, Bernie Kelly, on 091 777034 or at ‘Aisling’, Tyrone, Kilcolgan, Co. Galway, Ireland. Email: kellyshellfish@eircom.net.