The Second O'Leary Clan Gathering 1997.
By Peter O'Leary
The worldwide family of O'Leary must be gluttons
for punishment. Despite last year's heavy
programme, here they were again in September
1997 for more of the same. A slightly
smaller number, but again representative of many
continents and countries. There were 70 at the
dinner on Saturday evening, and over 100 at the
outdoor Mass on Sunday.
This year, 1997,
is the 125th. anniversary of the
Battle of Keimaneigh, so The Battle, and Máire
Bhuidhe Ní Laoghaire, were the themes of the
event. Most of Máire Bhuidhe's
living descendants come down from her marriage
to Seamas Burke, and many of this family
emigrated to Chicago where they have remained to
this day.
So we were happy to
welcome some 17 assorted Burkes, Burns, Gearens,
Fischers and Kileys from Chicago, and they in
turn kept us all on our toes with much craic and
light banter.
On the Friday morning we
had an interesting and amusing talk from Doncha
Ó Luaisigh on "Máire Bhuidhe and the Battle of
Keimaneigh" supported by his videos showing
Gougane Barra and Keimaneigh in the days long
past.
This was followed in the afternoon
by a leisurely bus drive to the battle site and
the Máire Bhuidhe monument, where the
Ballingeary Pipers gave us some lilting airs,
and we all had our photos taken. Then on to
Gougane Barra for a stroll around the Oratory
and its other delights.
At the evening
dinner we had an inspiring talk from Fr.Jim
Burke a Dominican Father from Chicago, on
the life in that great city. Also we learnt that
it was all a lie- It was not Mrs O'Leary's cow
who was responsible for the Great Fire, but a
man called O'Sullivan!
On Sunday morning
we had another lucid but controversial talk from
Dr.Doncha Ó Laoire on "The Irish Language Legacy
of the O'Learys". The questions and comments
following this talk had to be guillotined
eventually to allow us to have some lunch.
And finally the last event, the usual moving
outdoor Mass at the Old Cemetery. The celebrant
and preacher was our good friend Fr.Jim again,
supported by Fr.John and Fr.Dan Crowley from
Boston.
We also had a visit by the C.of
I. Rector from Aherla who showed us the church
plate from Inchigeelagh parish in the early 18th.c.
A beautiful silver chalice and patten which had
been donated by William Masters, the landlord.
As last year we were granted the blessing of
some beautiful weather, despite much rain on the
days immediately preceding and following our
meetings. The large gathering of new friends
then dispersed to their various parts of the
world, apparently happy and prepared to do it
all again next year.