October 2009 brought about fifty clansmen to the Ocean Sand Hotel in Enniscrone — the oldest 84 (the retiring Taoiseach Edward P. O’Dowd), the youngest 7. The weekend closed with the inauguration of Mícheál Ó Dubhda (Mike Dowd) of Brisbane as the fourth modern Taoiseach.

The Gathering

The Ocean Sand replaced the Atlantic Hotel as the clan’s base for the first time — a move that would last for the next four rallies. Thursday evening’s welcome reception included short talks on recent genealogical research and an enlarged version of the clan’s travelling exhibition. Friday brought a genealogy workshop and an afternoon walk at Enniscrone Castle, with the evening reserved for the Council of Chieftains.

Saturday: The Céide Fields

A bus excursion carried the party up the coast to the Céide Fields, described by its guides as the largest Neolithic settlement in the world — a pattern of stone walls preserved under blanket bog for almost five thousand years. The audio-visual display and the cliffside walk won the day, even in October weather. Back in Enniscrone that evening, the clan business meeting held its elections and the formal banquet followed.

The Inauguration

Mícheál Ó Dubhda — Mike Dowd, born in Ireland and long settled in Brisbane, Australia — was inaugurated Taoiseach of Tireragh, succeeding Edward P. O’Dowd. Brendan J O’Dowd of Castlebar was elected Tánaiste, setting up what would be, in 2012, the inauguration of the first Irish-born Chieftain since Tadhg Buí.

Voices & Visitors

Michael O’Dowd of the Netherlands wrote the contemporary account of the gathering: ‘4 Aussies, 12 Yanks, 8 from Scotland, 10 Irish, 4 Canadians, 4 Dutch (South African branch).’ Sunday closed with Mass, a parting glass, and visits to the castle for those with another day to spare.