The Annual General Meeting of the O'Malley Clan will include reports on the activities of the last year, the consideration of any motions submitted for discussion and the election of the new Tanaiste. Would you like to nominate someone who'd make a good Chieftain? Visit https://ireland101.com/omalleyclan/tanaiste to download a nomination form for your choice of Tanaiste who will become Chieftain in 2024. While all are welcome to attend, only members of the O'Malley Clan Association may vote. The AGM will be held at Westport House.
As bookings for this event have exceeded the capacity of the room, no more bookings can be accepted. However, if you are a member of he O'Malley Clan Association, please come along and we'll try to fit you in. We would ask that some of those who have booked but are not members might make room.

Welcome to Mayo. Come and join Chieftain Martin at Westport House to kick off the 2023 annual O'Malley Gathering. Opening address from Anne Chambers, biographer of Grace O'Malley.

As Westport House has limited capacity, this event is likely to become booked out. Chieftain Martin invites all who may not be able to join him in Westport House to come along to the Castlecourt Hotel, Westport, after the gala concert, where many O'Malleys will be present to finish off the evening with a glass or two!

A very special one-off performance of extracts from the Granuaile Suite, featuring Shaun Davy, Rita Connolly, Donal Lunny, David Brophy and Cora Venus Lunny. This epic work was composed by Shaun Davy in the 1980's for singer Rita Connolly and has been performed all over the world. The songs portray episodes in the life of one of Ireland's most celebrated and courageous women, Grace O'Malley (Gráinne Ní Mháille), chieftain of a powerful, seafaring clan with extensive territories in Mayo and Galway. 'Granuaile' made its public debut at the Lorient Interceltic Festival in 1986, it was performed and filmed at the Greenwich Festival, London, in 1987, and the next year toured with the RTE Concert Orchestra to London's Albert Hall. A regular companion piece to The Brendan Voyage in Shaun Davey concerts, Granuaile continued Davey's unique collaborations between musicians of aural and classical traditions. The songs tell of Grace's loves and battles; it is intimate, expansive and sometimes explosive.

Among other updates, Dr Maurice Gleeson will update us on the exciting Finding Grace's DNA project. We're trying to track down her genetic signature, so that O'Malleys everywhere can check and see how closely they may be related to the famous Pirate Queen.

Combined return ticket for Bus from Westport to Roonagh Pier and ferry to Clare Island on Saturday 24th June. Buses depart from the Town Hall Theatre at the Octagon in Westport from 11:15 am and the ferry departs Roonagh at 12:30 pm. Return ferries will depart from Clare Island pier and buses will meet the ferry at Roonagh and return to Westport. The early return ferries will depart around 6:30 pm and the later ferries will depart around 10:30 pm.

If you wish to make your own way to Roonagh and Clare Island, ferry tickets may be booked directly from the ferry companies at https://www.omalleyferries.com/ and https://www.clareislandferry.com/. Ferries may also be available from Kildavnet pier, Achill Island. Check with the ferry companies.

On arrival at Clare Island harbour, overlooked by Grace O'Malley's castle, walk to the Community Centre for a light lunch. Use the early afternoon as you wish - rent a bike to explore the island or go on a guided walk through 500 years of island and Irish history. You could go for a swim at the beach or just relax with a drink and enjoy the scenery. There will be games and events for our younger visitors. Then assemble at Sailors Bar for an evening of music and dancing. We'll have some famous and not-so-famous performers, and a chance to join in the Céilí. Eat at the barbecue and drink at the bar (not included in your ticket) as you wish. Weather permitting, we'll sit around a bonfire and sing a song or two before departing to catch the ferry and bus back to Westport.

Combined return ticket for Bus from Westport to Roonagh Pier and ferry to Clare Island on Sunday 25th June. Buses depart from the Town Hall Theatre at the Octagon in Westport from 9:15 am and the ferry departs Roonagh at 10:30 am. Return ferries will depart from Clare Island pier and buses will meet the ferry at Roonagh and return to Westport. Return ferries will depart around 6:30 pm. If you wish to make your own way to Roonagh and Clare Island, ferry tickets may be booked directly from the ferry companies at https://www.omalleyferries.com/ and https://www.clareislandferry.com/. Ferries may also be available from Kildavnet pier, Achill Island. Check with the ferry companies.

Annual Clan Mass in Saint Bridget`s Cistercian Abbey where Grace O'Malley's tomb is located. The abbey was founded in the 12th/13th century and rebuilt around 1460.

The piper will lead the Chieftain, Guardian Chieftain and former Chieftains into lunch in the Community Centre. After lunch, stay on for the inauguration of the new Chieftain and the singing of the clan anthem Óro Sé do Bheatha ‘Bhaile. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon with old and new friends before catching a ferry back to the mainland.

As capacity is limited and may sell out, food and drink will be available at Sailor's bar for those who cannot be accommodated in the Community Centre. You can then attend the inauguration of the new Chieftain outside the Community Centre after the lunch.