FROM all across the United States members of the O’Dea clan will be in Ennis and Dysert O’Dea this weekend for their 11th annual clan gathering.
The international O’Dea clan gathering, from July 8 to 10, will see more than 50 clan members travelling from various parts of the USA, including California, Florida, Missouri, Ohio and other states to attend the event.
Unfortunately, clan members from Australia and New Zealand will not be attending due to Covid 19 restrictions. Nevertheless, a fully packed weekend programme for those attending includes lectures, DNA workshops, a visit to Dysert O’Dea castle, a sightseeing tour to the Cliffs of Moher, Ballyvaughan and Corcomroe abbey and a farewell gala dinner in the Old Ground Hotel.
The highlight of the weekend will be the inauguration of the incoming Clan Chieftain (Taoisigh) Ennis man Shane O’Dea at Dysert O’Dea castle on, Saturday.
In honour of the weekend event, the Ennis Municipal District will host a mayoral reception at the Buttermarket building for the attendees. Clan members will walk proudly from the Old Ground Hotel to the reception, accompanied by a lone piper from the Tulla Pipe Band.
The present Chieftain of the Clan, Joanie Koechig – O’Dea will be travelling to the event with her husband Mervin, from St Charles, Missouri, USA.
Shane O’Dea, chairperson and Tánaiste of the O’Dea clan, originally from New Road, Ennis and now living in Blackrock, County Dublin is organising the event with Karen Dwyer, Clan Treasurer, with O’Dea connections in New Plymouth, New Zealand.
Shane will be the incoming Chieftain (Taoisigh) of the O’Dea clan and the inauguration ceremony will take place at Dysert O’Dea castle, near Corofin.
Gearoid O’Ceallaigh will officiate at the ceremony. Members of Shane’s family, O’Dea cousins and friends from North Clare, Kilfenora, Ballygannor and Ennistymon, will be attending the ceremony.
At a recent Clans of Ireland Cultural Summit, held in the Stephens Green Club, Dublin (established by Daniel O’Connell and others in 1840) Shane shared details of the weekend O’Dea clan event with Gearoid O’Ceallaigh, Cathaoirleach, and other members of the Clans of Ireland (Finte na hEireann).
The previous O’Dea international clan gathering was held in May 2018, which commemorated the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Dysert O’Dea, in 1318. Over 200 clan members from all over the world attended that historic event.
If you are interested in finding out more information about the O’Dea clan, or the July international gathering, check www.odeaclan.org