Committees

Committees

THE CLAN · HERITAGE

Committees

Lucht Oibre an Chlainn
“A clan endures not only through bloodlines and memory — but through the steady work of its members.”

where members turn intention into action

A clan endures not only through bloodlines and memory — but through the steady work of its members. These are the standing committees of the O'Dubhda Clan Society, and each of them welcomes a hand.

I.  How we work

The Clan Society is run by its members. Committees are where the real work happens — planning the next rally, tracing a lineage across an ocean, chasing down a castle that hasn't been seen since the Down Survey. Each committee meets on its own rhythm, most of them remotely, and each is led by a volunteer who has raised a hand.

Some of our committees are already active — meeting regularly and making progress. Others are forming, waiting for the right people to step in. If any of the work below matches what you care about, we would genuinely welcome hearing from you. An hour a month is a real contribution.

II.  What sits behind the work

Each committee answers to the Clan Council and reports briefly at each Council meeting. Membership on a committee doesn't require a formal role — only a willingness to show up. Committees can also convene working groups for a single task (a rally programme, a dig at a castle site, a records transcription) and then stand them back down when the work is done.

If you would like to join one of the committees below — or if you have an idea for one we haven't listed yet — write to us via the contact form.

At a Glance
Standing committees
Six — three active, three forming
Commitment
From an hour a month upward
Meet
Mostly remote, some in person
around rallies and gatherings
Reports to
The Clan Council
Get Involved

Tell us which committee interests you and how much time you have. We'll put you in touch with the chair.

Contact us →

A Principle
“A clan endures not only through bloodlines and memory — but through action.”
The Standing Committees

Six committees, one clan

Each is listed with its chair (where one has stepped forward), its status, and what it is working on right now.

Active
The Gathering Committee
Chaired by Terry & Carianne Rochford · planning the 2028 Rally
Plans and runs clan rallies and reunions — venue, programme, travel, communications, and the hundred small logistics that turn a gathering into a memory. Meeting regularly; welcomes extra hands as the rally approaches.
Active
Castle Hunting Committee
Chaired by Sean O'Dowda Stephens · searching for the lost O'Dubhda castles
Hunts down physical sites of O'Dubhda castles and fortifications that have slipped from memory — working from old maps, annals, and local knowledge. Every newly confirmed site is added to our online and in-person castle tours.
Active
Family Tree Research Committee
Chaired by Colum O'Dowd · tracing the lineage across the diaspora
Builds and documents family trees from historical records, yDNA evidence, and the lived knowledge of members around the world. Welcomes researchers of every level — from first-time genealogists to seasoned archivists.
Forming
Genealogical Committee
Chair sought · the wider genealogical effort
Gathers, verifies, and shares genealogical research at the clan level — coordinating the yDNA project, document discovery, and the shared body of evidence that sits behind each family tree. Leadership is being assembled now.
Forming
Website & Marketing Committee
Convened by Sean O'Dowda Stephens · writers and editors welcome
Curates, reviews, and extends the content of this website — writing, editing, fact-checking, and the occasional bit of design. Works remotely and asynchronously. A natural fit for anyone who likes words, history, and getting a page right.
Forming
Fundraising Committee
Chair sought · funding the clan's work
Identifies and pursues the resources behind everything else — heritage site preservation, gatherings, research, publications. If you have a background in fundraising, grant-writing, or member development, this is where it lands.

A Note from the Clan

Everything on this page is done by volunteers. Some committees are humming along, some are still being built, and one or two are a chair and an idea waiting for the right person. None of them are closed shops.

If you'd like to lend an hour, lead a committee, or simply ask how the work is going, write to us via the contact form.