Council

Council

THE CLAN · LEADERSHIP

The Council

An Chomhairle
“The sitting board of the O’Dubhda Clan — the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the officers of the association, and the senior advisors who once held the White Wand.”

What the Council Does

The governing body of the O’Dubhda (O’Dowd) clan association — a modern council with deep roots, stewarding one of the most distinguished Gaelic dynasties of north Connacht.

The council exists to support the Taoiseach — the elected Chief of the Name — and to steer the strategic direction of the clan. It meets several times a year, quarterly between rallies and more often in the year of a gathering. Among its standing responsibilities:

It organises the triennial international Clan Rally, the ceremonial inaugurations and the council meeting that runs alongside them. It supports historical, genealogical and archaeological research into the deep roots of the O’Dubhda in the Irish landscape. It strengthens the living connection between the historic homeland in Mayo and Sligo and the worldwide diaspora. And it keeps the books, the records and the correspondence that turn an extended family into a working association.

Membership of the council includes the current Taoiseach, the Tánaiste (deputy chief), all surviving past Taoisigh — who keep a seat on the council after their term as senior advisors — the elected officers, and the Mac Firbis, the clan’s hereditary historian.

Council Leadership

The two elected offices that lead the clan: the Chief of the Name, and the Deputy Chief who stands ready to succeed him.

Taoiseach · Chief of the Name

Sean O’Dowda Stephens

Ninth modern Taoiseach · 2025–2028

Inaugurated on the Enniscrone Mound in Castle Field in October 2025, Sean leads the council and represents the clan in international contexts, carrying forward the traditions of the chieftainship in the modern era.

Based in Toronto, he is the Taoiseach of a diaspora clan that now spans three continents, and the ninth modern holder of the White Wand. Full biography: The Taoisigh of Tireragh.

Tánaiste · Deputy Chief

Terry Rochford

Taoiseach-elect · to be inaugurated 2028

Retired Illinois State Trooper and former Chief of Police. Terry and his wife of 21 years, Carianne, stay busy with his 4 children, 9 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

A poor golfer and avid fan of Notre Dame football & Illini Men’s Basketball. As Tánaiste he supports the Taoiseach in leadership and council planning, and is the designated successor.

Council Officers

The administrative offices of the association — the hands on the machinery of the clan.

Secretary

Carianne Rochford

Retired Environmental Law Specialist and Certified Wetland Scientist. Carianne and her husband Terry love to travel, spend time with family, and one-up each other to the best of their ability.

A world champion procrastinator. She manages council communications, documentation and the coordination of meetings.

R·S
Treasurer

Renee Shahan

Oversees the financial administration of the clan association — the funds that support gatherings, heritage projects and clan initiatives — and is committed to the principles of financial transparency and responsible stewardship.

Senior Advisors

Past Taoisigh who retain a seat on the council after their term, offering the experience of long service to the business of the clan.

T·D
Senior Advisor

Tom Dowds

First modern Taoiseach · 1997–2003

First Taoiseach of the modern revival. Based in Scotland. Author of The O’Dubhda Gatherings: A History (forthcoming).

M·D
Senior Advisor

Mike Dowd

Fourth modern Taoiseach · 2009–2012

Based in Brisbane, Australia. Gave the clan’s international character its clearest expression, and has written on St Patrick in O’Dubhda country.

A·D
Senior Advisor

Andrew Dowds

Sixth modern Taoiseach · 2015–2018

Expanded collaboration across the Irish, North American and wider diaspora branches. Curated the W. B. Yeats and 1798 Rising self-guided tours.

Senior Advisor

Kieran O’Dowd

Seventh modern Taoiseach · 2018–2022

First woman to hold the office of Chief of the Name in the clan’s recorded history. Her tenure saw the adoption of a written Clan Constitution.

C·O
Senior Advisor

Colum O’Dowd

Eighth modern Taoiseach · 2022–2025

Based in Ireland, Colum reinforced the direct connection between the council and its historic homeland during his three-year term.

Mac Firbis · Historical Officer

The hereditary office of the clan historian — older than the chieftainship itself, and older than the records it keeps.

Mac Firbis · Clan Historian

Conor Mac Hale

Awarded Order of Merit by Clans of Ireland, 2022

Holds the hereditary title of Mac Firbis — the clan historian — a role linked to the Mac Fhirbhisigh, one of the most celebrated scholarly families of medieval Gaelic Ireland, who served the O’Dubhda chiefs for centuries.

Conor continues this tradition in the modern era: he performed the Brehon rite at the first modern inauguration at Cathair Mór in 2000 and has officiated at every inauguration since. Author of O’Dubhda Country — A Tour Guide to Tireragh and Inishcrone and O’Dubhda Country.

Serve on the Council

Membership of the council is drawn from active members of the clan who demonstrate a commitment to preserving and promoting the history, heritage and global connections of the O’Dubhda family. Council members are invited or nominated based on their involvement in clan activities, their willingness to contribute time and expertise, and their support for the work of the association.

As the clan continues to grow internationally, individuals who actively participate in gatherings, research initiatives or community engagement may be considered for future roles on the council.

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