I was introduced to a short film by Ronan Gallagher last week, a film called ‘Spirit’.
I had’nt heard of it before, (Ronan is based in NW Ireland and we’re down in the SW), but having watched it it felt as meaningful here as i’m sure it does in his own county of Leitrim.
In fact i think it would have the same reverberation for anyone with an Irish connection as it captures something that is always quite difficult to put a finger on, that sense of a heritage founded in our relationship with the land.
The film recounts the personal feelings of local people and their appreciation of what is around them. Set to a musical background that conjures up a spiritual awareness of time and place it is a joy to watch, and a reminder of one of those things that bind us together.
Gaelic:
Ó Flannabhra of Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe in Connaught,
Ó Flannabhra of Uí Fidhghente in Munster,
Ó Flannghaile of Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe. Gaelic variations:
Ó Flannabra, Ó Flannabhra, Ó Flanngaile, Ó Flannaoile, Ó Flanaoile, Ó Flannghaile.
The modern Flannery Clan are descendants of three distinct septs of people, namely Ó Flannabhra of Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe in Connaught, Ó Flannabhra of Uí Fidhghente in Munster, and Ó Flannghaile of Uí Fiachrach Muaidhe.
Flannabhra means “red eyebrow” and possibly refers to a person with prominent red hair, and Flannghaile means “red valour” and possibly originated from a person who displayed valour in combat or sport.
The official Flannery clan website is a good place to find more about your name and descendency.
Ireland wins the RBS 6 Nations and yep, it’s still sinking in (phew!)
There’s plenty of words out there on this one but its the feelings that get you, what a fantastic occasion and thanks to the Welsh for the warm welcome to the Irish and a great day.
Here’s the anthems before the game..
and one to make you smile…
Well done lads, courage, passion, professionalism, and a great example of what you can achieve when you refuse to lie down!
Anglicised variations: Mac-Auliffe, McAwliffe, Mac Auliff, McAufflie, McAuliffee, McCouliff, Couliff, Mc Culliff, Culliff, Cauliff, Auliffe, McCorlif, McCorliff, Mac Auliffe, MacAuliffe, Macaulife, McAuliffe, MacAuliff, McAuliff, McAulliffe, MacCauliffe, McCauliffe, McAlliffe, McOlliff, McOlive.
County of origin: Cork. Home place: Newmarket.
“Far beyond the bountiful Allo,
and westward of Glen Celsian of the stately trees,
in a fair land of great prosperity,
it is the the domain of the noble MacAuliffe”
Wandering the web tonight brought me to a site run by the MacAuliffe family from Newmarket. They organise a fantastic rally every four years where clan members meet up from around the world and celebrate their Irish family heritage. (“Newmarket stands in what was once Clanawley, the ancient McAuliffe clan lands”).
This got me to thinking that it might be useful to start a ‘clan’ section on diaspora.ie, where we could provide links back to family or clan sites with the Irish surname as the title of the article. Anyone searching their surname here would be able to find references that would help them with their search.
So, the next entry in the new ‘Clans’ section will be titled MacAuliffe (and its variations) and will have for example a link to the MacAuliffe Clan Home Page.
If you have a family or clan website and would like it to appear here let us know and we’ll include it.
Simultaneous concerts in London and Pennsylvania, watched in 60 countries by 400 million viewers, and £150 million (approx. $283.6 million) to the Live Aid effort.
The sound might be a bit rough but the sentiment is pure.
The Ideas Campaign are looking for suggestions from the guys on the street to help pull the Irish economy back into shape. The campaign runs until 31st March (and has some heavyweight backers) then the organisers will trawl through the suggestions and pull out the gems.
It’s not party political so will be interesting to see if it has the desired impact.
We’ll post on this one again after the campaign has finished and if something solid ensues.
1st April 2009: An update…
Phase 1 – ideas submission – deadline reached and the ideas can be viewed here. The campaign organisers have also been pleasantly surprised by the number of ideas that have come in from the Irish abroad, both in the US, the UK, and even from China.
Phase 2 – review and plan – now in progress:
Reviewing and evaluating the ideas logged on the site.
Producing an action plan for government, individuals, communities and other groups.
Staying in contact and interacting with the many thousands of citizens which have shown an interest in this campaign.
Creating further awareness about the campaign, and particularly the ideas which have been received, both in Ireland and internationally.
Working with individuals and groups which share a common goal to help Irish economic renewal and recovery.
It looks like some concrete suggestions could begin to surface later in April, and we’ll be back on this one as and when the next thing starts to happen.
Closing Update:
The campaign has drawn to a close with almost 5,300 ideas submitted (25% from abroad), and the advisory committee have drawn up a shortlist of ideas they believe deserve priority. Interestingly one of those is to encourage genealogy tourism by promoting the National Archives and organising clan gatherings.
If you have a story to tell, launched a new business, got an initiative off the ground, landed on a foreign shore and getting your foot on the first rung, or just have some good news with an inspirational nature let us know and we'll pass it on.
