Family travel from US, Australia and Lativa for annual trek in honour of Galway surname

Among the many attendees were members of the Mannion diaspora who had travelled from the USA, Australia, Latvia, England and many parts of Ireland, to celebrate the unique history and cultural heritage of their Ó Mainnín forebears.

This latest Gathering of the global Mannion family began on Friday evening in Thompson’s Lounge Bar, where the official opening was performed by Galway County Heritage Officer, Marie Mannion.

Friday evening’s activities concluded with a demonstration of sean-nós and traditional Irish dancing by Meadhbh Ní Chualáin from Oughterard.

An enthusiastic group of Clan Gathering guests assembled on the morning of Saturday, August 15, for a guided tour of The Mannion Clan Historical Trail led by Dr Joe Mannion.

An introductory talk on the ancient Lughnasa assembly site of Knockroe, the Cistercian Abbey of Knockmoy, and Killaclogher Castle ruins was followed by a visit to the Mannion castle site at Clooncurreen in the parish of Moylough and its medieval history and archaeology discussed.

The ceremonial and judicial assembly site of Ramore in the townland of Mullaghmore West, in the parish of Moylough, was next on the itinerary, where a Brehon Law deed, now held in the Trinity College library, was drafted by a Mac Egan lawyer in May 1584 for the Ó Mainnín Clan.

The sub-townland of Ballymannion, which with the modern townland of Cloonmweelaun was the focus of the Ó Mainnín deed, was then visited, as was the Clan’s ancestral village of Menlough.

Next up was Kilconnell Abbey where the last recorded Chief of the Name of the Mannion Clan – John, son of Malachy – was buried in a tomb dated 1648, with two of his kinsmen from the Clan’s principal stronghold at Menlough.

The final stop was in the townland of Finnure near Loughrea, where an Ó Mainnín king was slain in a battle between the O’Connor kings of Connacht and the O’Kellys of Hy Many in AD 1135. Here the group was addressed by local historian and former tour guide Paul O’Donnell.

The group assembled once again on Saturday evening in Thompson’s Pub, Menlough, where volunteer administrator of the Mannion Surname Project at Family Tree DNA, genetic genealogist Jim Hollarn from San Diego, outlined the roots and branches of the Mannion Clan based on an extensive range of DNA test results.

There followed a case studies presentation by Noel Murphy from the Ros Muc Area Genealogy and DNA group, who together with Jim Hollarn provided free one-to-one consultations on genealogy and DNA during the Clan Gathering weekend.

Sunday’s activities began with a mid-afternoon Mass for living and deceased members of the Mannion Clan in St Mary’s Church, Menlough, celebrated by Fr Colm Mannion OP.

This was followed by a piper-led parade from the church to Páirc Uí Mhainnín and the Mannion chieftains’ castle site nearby, with the joint ceremonial grand marshals Caroline MacGeorge Murphy from New Jersey and Eddie Mannion from Ballygar proudly carrying the Ó Mainnín Clan flag.

Afterwards, guests were treated to a presentation on Gaelic Irish clothing and weaponry delivered by Proinsias Mag Fhionnghaile, chieftain of Donegal’s McGinley Clan, before enjoying the annual barbecue.

Sunday’s festivities drew to a close with some traditional Irish music from Fr Colm Mannion, including a reel he composed himself called ‘Back to Ballymannion’.

He then joined Alan Mannion and his friends Mary McMahon and Ned Coleman for a lively trad session, including a moving rendition of the immigration song ‘Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears’, performed by teenager Iarla Thompson who also played the tin whistle.

The 2026 Mannion Clan Gathering concluded with Dr Joe Mannion, chairman of the Mannion Clan, complimenting those who had travelled to their ancestral homelands of East Galway, to learn about and connect with their medieval Ó Mainnín roots.

A general invitation was issued to the Mannion Diaspora to come and join in future Clan Gathering celebrations.