Clan Rallies and Gatherings
Periodically the clan organises a Clan Rally. The aim of this occasion is to introduce members, and non-members, to one another and to come together socially in a spirit of friendship and kinship. It is a weekend of social interaction, with learning, song, music and dance. We endeavour to organise seminars, workshops on genealogy, history lectures, historical tours etc. The evenings are filled with entertainment, or you are free to do your own thing.
The next Clan Gathering will be held in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, Ireland from 23rd to the 26th August 2013.
Please click here or on the separate web page for all the details.
The next Clan Gathering will be held in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, Ireland from 23rd to the 26th August 2013.
Please click here or on the separate web page for all the details.
Previous Rallies
Pictures from 2002 Clan Gatherings at Carrickmacross
The first photo shows some of the attendees at the grave of St. Tighearnach at Clones. Centre is Cahir Tierney, Clan Chieftain with the Chairman of Carrickmacross Urban District Council. On the right a group of clan members on a historic tour.
The first photo shows some of the attendees at the grave of St. Tighearnach at Clones. Centre is Cahir Tierney, Clan Chieftain with the Chairman of Carrickmacross Urban District Council. On the right a group of clan members on a historic tour.
Clan Gathering 2002
Well its over for another year, and what a gathering!
It was great. It didn’t all work out 100% the way it was planned but we had a fantastic time anyway. In excess of 30 members attended and even though we were small in numbers Carrickmacross, and County Monaghan, knew that the Tierneys were back. On the weekend of August 30th, 31st and September 1st Tierneys from far and wide gathered in Carrickmacross for their annual clan rally, the first such Tierney gathering in nearly 600 years in their ancient kingdom of Fearnmhuighe. This kingdom, which once stretched from Carrickmacross to Sliabh Gullion, in County Armagh, was once ruled jointly by the O’Tierney and the O’Kieran clans, until they were overthrown by the McMahon Clan in a power struggle for even then was called ‘the Border Area’. This was the area that divided the Kingdom of Uladh [Ulster] from the Kingdom of Breaga, two of the major kingdoms of Old Ireland.
The clan was warmly welcomed to Carrickmacross by Mr. Eugene O’Gorman, Cathaoirleach [equivalent of Lord Mayor] of the Carrickmacross Urban District Council. The weekend commenced with registration and a ‘get-to-know-one-another’ session in the Shirley Arms Hotel. Saturday was a ‘work day’ with various seminars. Mr. Larry McDermott, a local historian, spoke on different aspects of local history, which included information on local family names, clan rivalry in the area, the importance of Fearnmhuighe as a ‘buffer zone’ between the two great kingdoms of Ireland, and of Tierney history and the relationship of the clan with the barony of Farney.
A detailed history of the four Tierney Septs of Ireland, and their origins, based on his research to date, was given by the Clan Organiser, Cahir Tierney. The evening ended with a lively musical extravaganza from members of the local branch of Ceoltas Ceoltórí Éireann, a national traditional music organisation. On Sunday the clan members enjoyed a tour of County Monaghan, visiting Saint Tighearnach’s Cemetery, the clan patron Saint, where they were met by local historian Paddy Boylan who gave a talk on the history of the cemetery and then proceeded to give a guided tour of the town of Clones, pointing out places of historical interest and folklore. Following lunch at the Ulster Canal Stores and Heritage Centre, we were shown an exhibition of the famous Clones Lace, and where Mr. Boylan explained to us the differences between it and the also famous Carrickmacross Lace, which was also on display.
The tour then proceeded to St. Tierney’s Church, Roslea. From there we went to Cairnmore, an ancient burial site of the Kings of Ulster. From this site one can see at least eight counties of Ireland. We then visited the church at Scotstown in whose cemetery are buried many Tierneys, including the family and ancestors of clan member Betty Connolly. It was then on to St. Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan where the clan attended a special Mass celebrated by Dr. Joseph Duffy, Bishop of Clogher. Music for the occasion was provided by Orlaith Tierney. Maureen Parsons and Betty Connolly read the readings for the Mass and the Mass gifts were presented to Bishop Duffy by the Tierney family, Martin, Jayne and Joseph.
On the way back to Carrickmacross, after the Mass, we visited the church at Clontibret, which was built by Rev. Cannon Thomas Tierney who was our ‘interesting Tierney’ in issue 5 [Jan 2002] of the newsletter. I would like to thank Betty Connolly and Joseph ‘Tierney’ Duffy [whose great-grand uncle was Rev. Cannon Thomas Tierney] for the commentary, with interesting facts of history and folklore, which they gave throughout the entire journey and pointing out all the places of interest with and without a Tierney connection. Their contribution made the trip a very special and memorable one.
The following are a list of those who attended the various functions during the Rally weekend: Cahir & June Tierney; John Waring, Dublin; Orlaith Tierney, Dublin; Martin & Jayne & Joseph Tierney, London; Joseph ‘Tierney’ Duffy, Dunraymond, Monaghan; Joan Horgan, Kells; Betty & Peter Connolly, Smithboro, Monaghan; Maureen & Brian Parsons, Kent, England; Peter & Jane & Darragh & Seán & Eoghan Maher, Galway; Aron Cox & Patricia Tierney-Cox & Amy & Sarah Cox, Longford; Noel Tierney, Dublin; Noel & Bridie & Yvonne Tierney, Shercock, Co. Cavan; Sharon Finnegan & Colm, Carrickmacross; Oliver, Stella & Mary Tierney, Dublin; Gerry Tierney, Dublin; and special guests, Kevin O’Gorman, Larry McDermott and Eugene O’Gorman of Carrickmacross. We were also joined, for the Mass, by Clan member Sr. Rosario Brady’s brother and his wife and a number of other people from Monaghan town.
It was great. It didn’t all work out 100% the way it was planned but we had a fantastic time anyway. In excess of 30 members attended and even though we were small in numbers Carrickmacross, and County Monaghan, knew that the Tierneys were back. On the weekend of August 30th, 31st and September 1st Tierneys from far and wide gathered in Carrickmacross for their annual clan rally, the first such Tierney gathering in nearly 600 years in their ancient kingdom of Fearnmhuighe. This kingdom, which once stretched from Carrickmacross to Sliabh Gullion, in County Armagh, was once ruled jointly by the O’Tierney and the O’Kieran clans, until they were overthrown by the McMahon Clan in a power struggle for even then was called ‘the Border Area’. This was the area that divided the Kingdom of Uladh [Ulster] from the Kingdom of Breaga, two of the major kingdoms of Old Ireland.
The clan was warmly welcomed to Carrickmacross by Mr. Eugene O’Gorman, Cathaoirleach [equivalent of Lord Mayor] of the Carrickmacross Urban District Council. The weekend commenced with registration and a ‘get-to-know-one-another’ session in the Shirley Arms Hotel. Saturday was a ‘work day’ with various seminars. Mr. Larry McDermott, a local historian, spoke on different aspects of local history, which included information on local family names, clan rivalry in the area, the importance of Fearnmhuighe as a ‘buffer zone’ between the two great kingdoms of Ireland, and of Tierney history and the relationship of the clan with the barony of Farney.
A detailed history of the four Tierney Septs of Ireland, and their origins, based on his research to date, was given by the Clan Organiser, Cahir Tierney. The evening ended with a lively musical extravaganza from members of the local branch of Ceoltas Ceoltórí Éireann, a national traditional music organisation. On Sunday the clan members enjoyed a tour of County Monaghan, visiting Saint Tighearnach’s Cemetery, the clan patron Saint, where they were met by local historian Paddy Boylan who gave a talk on the history of the cemetery and then proceeded to give a guided tour of the town of Clones, pointing out places of historical interest and folklore. Following lunch at the Ulster Canal Stores and Heritage Centre, we were shown an exhibition of the famous Clones Lace, and where Mr. Boylan explained to us the differences between it and the also famous Carrickmacross Lace, which was also on display.
The tour then proceeded to St. Tierney’s Church, Roslea. From there we went to Cairnmore, an ancient burial site of the Kings of Ulster. From this site one can see at least eight counties of Ireland. We then visited the church at Scotstown in whose cemetery are buried many Tierneys, including the family and ancestors of clan member Betty Connolly. It was then on to St. Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan where the clan attended a special Mass celebrated by Dr. Joseph Duffy, Bishop of Clogher. Music for the occasion was provided by Orlaith Tierney. Maureen Parsons and Betty Connolly read the readings for the Mass and the Mass gifts were presented to Bishop Duffy by the Tierney family, Martin, Jayne and Joseph.
On the way back to Carrickmacross, after the Mass, we visited the church at Clontibret, which was built by Rev. Cannon Thomas Tierney who was our ‘interesting Tierney’ in issue 5 [Jan 2002] of the newsletter. I would like to thank Betty Connolly and Joseph ‘Tierney’ Duffy [whose great-grand uncle was Rev. Cannon Thomas Tierney] for the commentary, with interesting facts of history and folklore, which they gave throughout the entire journey and pointing out all the places of interest with and without a Tierney connection. Their contribution made the trip a very special and memorable one.
The following are a list of those who attended the various functions during the Rally weekend: Cahir & June Tierney; John Waring, Dublin; Orlaith Tierney, Dublin; Martin & Jayne & Joseph Tierney, London; Joseph ‘Tierney’ Duffy, Dunraymond, Monaghan; Joan Horgan, Kells; Betty & Peter Connolly, Smithboro, Monaghan; Maureen & Brian Parsons, Kent, England; Peter & Jane & Darragh & Seán & Eoghan Maher, Galway; Aron Cox & Patricia Tierney-Cox & Amy & Sarah Cox, Longford; Noel Tierney, Dublin; Noel & Bridie & Yvonne Tierney, Shercock, Co. Cavan; Sharon Finnegan & Colm, Carrickmacross; Oliver, Stella & Mary Tierney, Dublin; Gerry Tierney, Dublin; and special guests, Kevin O’Gorman, Larry McDermott and Eugene O’Gorman of Carrickmacross. We were also joined, for the Mass, by Clan member Sr. Rosario Brady’s brother and his wife and a number of other people from Monaghan town.
Clan Gathering 2006The 2006 rally was held at The Holiday Inn Hotel, Newton, Boston, USA, on July 7th 2006.
This was the first time in the long history of the Tierney families that a gathering was held in the U.S.A. The Gathering was orchestrated and organised by Elaine Tierney and we are indeed indebted to Elaine for all her hard work and enthusiasm that went to making the event so successful. |
Maurice Reciting Kavanagh
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Sing-song at Newton
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At registration each attendee received a Welcome Pack, which was beautifully put together by Elaine. These packs contained the agenda for the evening together with a synopsis of the presentations, which were to follow the Dinner and an ‘Attendance Certificate’, which was a novel idea.
Following our meal there was a reading by Maurice Tierney of poems by Seamus Heaney and Patrick Kavanagh. This was followed by a presentation talk on “A History of the Tierney Surname and its Various Septs” by Cahir Tierney. The evening was then capped off with plenty of chat and a great singsong with our guest musician. |
2008 Clan Rally - Gathering of Ormond ClansThis time we departed from the ‘traditional’ format and hosted a ‘joint venture’ Gathering with a number of Ormond Clans who are linked in history by references in an historic body of documents titled ‘The Ormond Deeds’. These documents describe transactions and contain transcripts of deeds and agreements between the leading families of the Baronies of Upper and Lower Ormond. They were maintained in Kilkenny Castle by the Earls of Ormond. The documents contain transactions between The O’Tierney, O’Kennedy and O’Meara Clans and are witnessed by members of the MacEgan and O’Meagher Clans. It is these Clans that cooperated in the organising of this great Gathering.
Meetings and discussions with representatives of the clans and other interested parties it was agreed that the Gathering would take place in August, 2008. The venue was in the Nenagh area, County Tipperary with the main functions to take place in the Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh. We worked on an action-packed programme for the event. This included exhibitions, seminars, lectures, Family History Forum [where you can compare notes on genealogy etc.], a tour of places of interest, Dinner and music and dance. |
Programme of Events
A provisional Agenda for The Gathering of Ormond Clans Rally to be held on Friday through Sunday August 22 - 24, 2008 at Nenagh area, Co. Tipperary Friday
15:00 Registration, meet and greet, commences 19:00 to late Welcome reception; meet local tourist, genealogy and heritage officials. Introductions and Social Evening at [venue to be confirmed.] [The evening will consist of traditional music provided by local musicians, singing, dancing, chat.] Saturday Saturday and Sunday will consist of a day of seminars, workshops and talks on a wide variety of genealogical and historical topics. There will also be a tour of places of Tierney interest for Tierney Clans Society members and other attractions organised by the other participating clans organised by those clans. 10.30 to 12:30 ‘A Story of Ormond Clans’ ‘Tracing your Ancestors in Tipperary’ 12.30 to 13.30 Lunch 13.30 to 14.30 ‘Our Irish Heritage’ by Patrick Larkin ‘Do you want to learn some Irish Gaelic?’ 15.00 to 17.30 Genealogy and Family History workshop 20:00 to late Dinner and Céilí Mhór with music provided Sunday 10:00 For Tierney Clans Society members the day commences with a Tierney tour of family connected places of interest. Other participating Clans will arrange their own individual items of interest to their own particular clans. All events will end at Redwood Castle, the home of the MacEgan Clan where, following a short celebration, the entire group will march to Lorrha. 18:00 Holy Mass will be concelebrated in Lorrha by clergy from all the participating clans. Mass will be followed by celebrations/party/barbecue – song and music. Monday For those still around, and if they wish, there will be available a further Tierney Genealogy and Family History workshop during the morning and afternoon at [venue to be confirmed.] |