1989 Gathering (No 37)

The following account of the 1989 O'Malley Clan Gathering is taken from the 1990 O'Malley Clan Annual :

The 37th O'Malley Clan Rally took place from Friday 21 July to Sunday 23 July 1989. It was a most successful event, and this was largely due to the great interest and hard work of our Chieftain Alice of Chicago.

On Friday a civic reception was graciously extended to the clan by the Chairman and members of the Urban District Council. Mr. Sean Staunton, the Chairman, welcomed the attendance and gave a special welcome to the overseas visitors in his usual eloquent fashion. Alice thanked him for his hospitality on behalf of the overseas party and of all clan members present. George O'Malley, member of Castlebar U.D.C., and Martin Joe O'Toole, T.D., then spoke, and stressed the importance of the rally for the people of Mayo and the West in general. The Clan is indeed grateful to the Urban District Council for their hospitality and support over the years.

The barbecue on Saturday at Séamus Daly's premises in Mulrany was blessed with glorious weather. Fifty people attended and were loud in their praise of the tasty fare produced by Committee member Peter McGee. Entertainment was provided by two charming ladies Fionnuala O'Malley and Kathleen Ryder. Their beautiful interpretation of favourite Irish airs was greatly appreciated, especially by our visiting clan members.

The Chairperson in her address put before the meeting the problems of a small committee organising an annual event, and suggested that there might be some change in the rally formula. She suggested thefollowing alternatives:

1) That the Rally would take place every second year, making it attractive to the participants as there would be more novelty attached to it. The workload of the committee would be considerably lighter as they would concentrate on making it a really enjoyable event every second year. The Chieftain Would be in office for two years, which would give him or her ample time to learn the ropes and familiarise himself or herself with the Clan business.

2) The second suggestion was to have the rally in a different venue every second year, where a local committee: would look after the organising of it.

There was considerable discussion on these points. One very useful suggestion from the floor was to have long and short rallies alternating, The shorter one would be a one-day affair. while the longer one would be a two day event and would be more attractive to those travelling a distance. It was decided to postpone a decision on the matter until next year and meanwhile to keep it under review.

Four volunteers then offered their services to the Committee, an offer which was gratefully accepted. They are Declan O'Malley of Dublin, former chieftain; Geraldine O'Malley of Navan, daughter of former chieftain Tommy; Mary Jane O'Malley of Newport and Piper Owen O'Malley from Swinford, The evening concluded with dancing and conviviality.

Sunday began with Mass in the Assembly Hall of St. Patrick's Girls School in Westport, kindly put at our disposal by the Sisters of Mercy. The celebrant was Rev'd Des O'Malley, O.F.M., The Abbey, Galway, brother of Eileen O'Malley, Station Road, Westport and Paddy Joe O'Malley of Chicago and cousin of Chieftain Alice. He spoke eloquently of the importance of personal prayer in the practice of our religion. Sr. Assumpta and her superb choir made it a memorable occasion. As usual, Pipe-Major Michael O'Malley of London added greatly to the ceremonial both then and later. This year he was accompanied by noted local piper, Owen O'Malley of Swinford.

175 guests attended the Clan Luncheon in Hotel Westport, where a copious and well-presented meal was served. Guardian Chieftain Pearse welcomed all who attended, and Chieftain Alice thanked all our sponsors - the advertisers in the Clan Annual, Renvyle House Hotel and Breaffy House Hotel who presented raffle prizes, and the proprietors of Hotel Westport who provided Irish coffee at the end of a lovely meal. The new Tanaiste was announced, and Alice then transferred the Staff of Office to our incoming Chieftain Michael O'Malley of Ballynew, Castlebar. Fine weather and good cheer had combined to make the 37th Rally a really enjoyable event.

It is interesting to note that two longstanding members of the committee first got involved at this rally: Mary Jane O'Malley of Newport, who later became Secretary and piper Eoin O'Malley of Swinford.

Pipers Eoin O'Malley and Michael O'Malley

Chieftain Alice O'Malley from Chicago, niece of the first Chieftain, John J O'Malley

Grillmaster Peter McGee fires up the Barbecue at Daly's of Mulranny

Pipe Major Michael O'Malley playing a tune at the barbecue in Mulranny

Chieftain Alice with her first cousins, the children of Chieftain John J O'Malley. Standing (L-R) Brendan and Jeff, seated are Hugh and Grace O'Malley Purcell, chieftain No 29.

A group of former Chieftains outside Hotel Westport at the 1989 Gathering. Seated (L-R): Martin O'Malley (No 18), Ethna O'Malley Gaffney (No 23), outgoing Chieftain Alice O'Malley from Chicago (No 36), Anthony O'Malley from Louisburgh (No 34), Guardian Chieftain Pearse O'Malley from Belfast (No 4), Grace O'Malley Purcell (No 29), Joe Blackwell (No 35). Standing: Prof Eoin O'Malley (No 14), Gerry O'Malley (No 20), Michael O'Malley (No 24), incoming chieftain Michael O'Malley from Castlebar (No 37), Thomas J O'Malley (No 26), Judge Peter O'Malley (No 32), Pipe Major Michael O'Malley (No 31), Ward O'Malley (No 21), Dr Tom O'Malley from Florida (No 27). 

Photo - Linus Purcell and Tom O'Malley

Dancing at the Old Head Hotel. Dr Tom O'Malley and his wife Marianne at bottom left.

Incoming Chieftain Michael O'Malley thanking outgoing chieftain Alice O'Malley

Chieftain Alice with Piper Michael, Fr Des O'Malley OFM Galway and Martin O'Malley