The seventh rally, 15 – 17 September 2006, held its business in the back room of Roper’s Pub (the Atlantic Hotel was being refurbished) and closed with the inauguration of Edward P. O’Dowd of Chicago as the third modern Taoiseach at Enniscrone Castle.

The Gathering

Registration on Friday included a welcome pack: the clan newsletter, a copy of the O’Dubhda History, a programme, a lapel pin presented by Taoiseach Richard Dowd, and a first drink on the house. The exhibit that year was stronger than any before it — manuscripts dated 1160, 1397 and 1650, and materials on Baron O’Dowda and the more than forty recorded surname variants.

Saturday: Two Coaches, Six Sites

Two minibuses worked through the day’s itinerary. The O’Dubhda Mermaid Rocks at Scurmore; the thirteenth-century ruins of Castleconnor; the fifteenth-century Moyne Abbey, where Fr John (Seán) Ó Dubhda was martyred; Kilcummin, the French landing place of 1798; and the Neolithic Céide Fields above the Atlantic cliffs. Dinner that evening was at Murphy Brothers’ restaurant in Ballina.

The Inauguration

Sunday morning began with a memorial Mass for deceased clan members, celebrated by Fr Michael Doody SJ. The Council met and confirmed Mícheál Ó Dubhda (Mike Dowd) of Queensland as the incoming Tánaiste. The members then moved to Enniscrone Castle for the inauguration of Edward P. O’Dowd of Chicago. Following the now-established form, the White Wand was passed hand-to-hand through the gathering before being raised over Edward’s head by the Ollamh. At the same meeting the rule was unanimously adopted that retiring Taoisigh should henceforth hold the title Taoiseach Emeritus as permanent members of the Clan Council.

Tours & Sites

• Mermaid Rocks at Scurmore
• Castleconnor, Roslee Castle, Easkey, the Split Rock of Killeenduff
• Grangemore Castle (16th c.) and Skreen — Mac Fhirbhisigh country
• Rathlee Tower (c.1803) and the cliff-walk at Rathlee Castle