This article is from page 26 of the 2013-06-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 26 JPG
MANY of the Clare Diaspora in New York are due to visit the county during the end of August to celebrate one of the biggest Gatherings in the Banner County.
Leading the celebration on Clare soil will be the County Clare Patriotic, Benevolent and Social Association of New York, formerly the County Claremen’s Association, who are celebrating their 125th anniversary.
A programme of events has been created including a civic reception, anniversary banquet, commemorative mass, golf days in both Doonbeg and Ennis, a tour of county including attractions such as The Cliffs of Moher and Loop Head.
There will an exhibition in the library and heritage and genealogy talk from Clare Roots Society.
President of the Association in New York, Cathy Hogan whose father hails from Kilkee, said, “You do not need to be a member of the Association to join us – all you need is the desire to return to the land of your birth or the land of your ancestors.”
Welcoming the “Home to Clare” initiative Mayor of Clare Cllr Pat Daly said; “This gives the people of Clare an opportunity to salute the New York Association for their sensitive care of generations of Clare emigrants and their contribution to the wider Clare community there down through the years.”
Mary Gleeson, General Manager of the Old Ground Hotel who has been co-ordinating information for the homecoming website on behalf of Promote Ennis said she had been fascinated to read some of the adventures and achievements of Clare peo- ple who left Ireland.
“Pat McDonnell of Doonbeg was an Olympic Champion and policeman on Times Square, Mike McTigue from Kilnamona was a world champion boxer and not too many people can claim to have a Gaelic Football field called after him this honour was bestowed on Ballyea man, Woodlawn resident Paddy Markham.
“It must have been a source of great pride for him that “Paddy’s Field” – the only athletic field on New York City parkland built for Gaelic Football was developed by the club founded by Paddy and other volunteers from the Woodlawn community. Other notable stories recall the genius of John Philip Holland – a pioneer in submarine development and Daniel O’Day from Kildysart who ensured the first pipe to bring oil to New York was laid,” she said.
Ms Gleeson also referenced the Clare connection to the most famous Irish political family -The Kennedys whose great great grandparents came from Newmarket.
These people will also be celebrated at the Gathering celebrations will take place from August 26 to 28.