Discovering the Clans event brings participants from across Ulster to Donegal

A cross-community, cross-border event on the Ulster ancient clans recently took place in Donegal.

Participants from Donegal, Mid Ulster and Monaghan met up in Dillon’s Hotel, Letterkenny for a conference on the subject. The event included visits to Rathmullan and Farsetmore on the outskirts of Letterkenny.

The conference was organised by Ancient Clans project at the Rural Centre, Clogher, Co Tyrone with support from the PeacePlus programme, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). This was the first of three such visits, spread over Donegal, Mid-Ulster and Monaghan.

Adrian Gallagher, Titular Chieftain of the Gallagher clan, described the event.

“Following an opportunity to greet and network there was a lecture by Dr Brian Lacey, retired archaeologist, author and early medieval historian, specialising in NW Ireland c.AD500-1200,” said Adrian. “He charted the emergence of the principal surnames in medieval Ulster, especially those with a Donegal connection/origin, which, including the Ui Ghallchobhair/ Gallaghers and the O’Donnells.

“Dinner again brought an opportunity to meet others and discuss our various interests and later those attending mingled and learned about each other and the various projects they were engaged in. It was not only a social occasion to make friendships but also an opportunity to learn from each other. Lots of names and contact details were exchanged.

“Shortly after 9am the next morning, everyone piled into a coach for a guided trip of Rathmullan. Guided by Deirdre Friel from Donegal Heritage Tours, firstly, they learned of that village’s connection with the O’Donnells and its part as the site of the kidnapping of Red Hugh O’Donnell by the English. From there, he was brought as a prisoner to Dublin Castle, where he escaped four years later, including in the company of one Owny O’Gallagher (an event which the Gallaghers re-enacted in 2007 as part of the First Gallagher Global Gathering). The Abbey, which was founded by the O’Donnells, visited. The Flight of the Earls in 1607 was explained and the part Rathmullan played out in this historic event as the demarcation point for the ship heading for the continent. The Flight is seen as the end of the old Irish order and the beginning of England’s rule over the whole island of Ireland.

“We also heard of the part Lough Swilly, on which Rathmullan is located, played in naval warfare, first as a deep safe anchorage for shipping, something that led to it being the proposed destination of the ill-fated French naval fleet that came to help liberate Ireland from British rule, and included the Irish revolutionary, Wolfe Tone. After that episode the British built a series of six forts along its shores, one of which participants got to visit. Our guide then told us of how it became for a time, at the beginning of World War 1, the base for the British Grand Fleet under Admiral Jellicoe.

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“After all the fresh air, it was back to Letterkenny for lunch, after which historian and enactor Tomás O’Brogan shed light on battle sites in the Letterkenny area, which included that of Farsetmore, 1567, fought between the O’Neill and O’Donnell clans for dominance in Ulster. The Battle of Scariffhollis fought in 1650 during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. This defeat of the Irish forces is taken to be the last occasion an army of Ireland, and recognised as such, fought on Irish soil. The weekend was a great opportunity for the participants to get close to their Irish roots and gain a better understanding of local history, all the while enjoying the company of like-minded people from across many different backgrounds. All were looking forward to the next event earmarked for Monaghan in 2026.”