The First O'Malley Clan Gathering - September 1953

On 14th March 1949, a group came together in the Railway Hotel, Westport, Co Mayo to plan for repairs to Carrigahowley Castle, traditionally known as the home of Grace O'Malley in her later years. They formed the O'Malley Clan Association to raise funds, led by Sir Owen O'Malley, John J O'Malley and Patrick O'Malley, with a committee of 27 other O'Malleys from Mayo and Galway. Less than five years later, with the co-operation of the Office of Public Works, the repairs were completed and the O'Malley Clan held it's first clan reunion at the castle. John J O'Malley was elected Chief and Dr Conor O'Malley was elected Vice-Chief.

An original lunch menu from 1953. Note the back page autographed by many of the attendees. 

The original notice published in March, 1949

GATHERING OF O'MALLEY CLAN

(From The Western People, 19 September 1953.)

GRAINUAILE'S CASTLE OPENED - CHIEF ELECTED

Sunday was the day for the gathering of the members of the O'Malley Clan in Westport, to honour their famous ancestor, Grainne Uaile, Sea Queen of the Westport.

Special buses and hundreds of cars brought people named O'Malley and their friends from the four corners of Ireland, and some from Leeds and America, to the Mall, Westport, where they were welcomed by the President of the Clan, Mr. John J. O'Malley, merchant, Westport. They all gathered at the Railway Hotel, Westport, which was decorated for the occasion.

While they were waiting for the opening ceremony to begin Westport Boys' Brass Band rendered a selection of national airs like those which kept the spirit of freedom alive in the people at the time Grainne Uaile and her daring seamen sailed the waves in Clew Bay.

WELCOME

From a lorry decorated with the Papal and National flags Mr. John J. O'Malley, organising secretary, welcomed the members of his Clan as follows:-

"Clansmen and O'Malleys - Cead mile failte, a thousand cead mile failte to you, welcome home to Cathair na Mart, home to Westport, citadel of our Clan. Some of you have been away from home for a generation, some for several generations, but it doesn't matter, all are sincerely welcome - a welcome that is as big and sincere for the humblest man of the name as for the more materially favoured of our Clansmen. I congratulate you on making such a big sacrifice to attend this great re-union. It shows plainly that that loyalty and a family pride so characteristic of the O'Malleys, is no empty boast. We assemble here today to commemorate the l,500th anniversary of the conversion of our Clan to the Faith of St. Patrick, in the year 453. Crom Cruach, chief of the O'Malleys, embraced the Faith from the hands of St. Patrick, and it is our proud boast that the O'Malley Clan held on to the Faith all through the centuries. They brought the Augustinians to Murrisk, the Dominicans to Burrishoole, and the Carmelites to Clare Island.

"They governed that country, known as the Kingdom of Umhall, Achill. They were powerful on land and sea. As you are aware, Clansmen, the Clann O'Malley were lords of the soil in the greater part of Mayo and Galway and the adjoining islands. The memory of Grainne Uaile, or Grace O'Malley, should be to us an inspiration and a glorious inheritance, which we are proud to claim as our own. This sea-queen carried out many daring exploits. Many are the traditions and legends woven around this great daughter of our Clan and she was looked upon by our Irish poets as a symbol of Irish freedom.

"I am glad to say that Carrigahowley Castle, the one we are going to visit today, has been restored by contributions received from O'Malleys only. The castle has been restored to its original construction, which naturally is not the modern idea of architecture, but was the style prevailing 350 years ago.

"It is by our re-union here today that we are standing fast by our tradition and culture. We are most anxious that many of the other Irish Clans will co-operate in the good work.

Faith and Fatherland

"We are strictly limited to time, and this does not permit us to deal further with the glorious traditions of our Clan. It is incumbent to say a few words about the future responsibility - to uphold Faith and Fatherland, to co-operate with our Government in starting industries and promoting agricultural activities, as the farmers of Ireland are the true salvation of the country, approximately 80 per cent, living on the land; to co-operate with the members of our Gaelic League in keeping alive the Irish language, culture and music.

"In every free community, such as ours, there are political, religious and social differences. Our object should be scrupulously respect every man's opinion, and to carry out the Divine command, 'love God above all, and our neighbours as ourselves'. "To conclude, I welcome you again. I congratulate you on your great turn-out. I hope that next year we will have a bigger and better function, and that, in a thousand years from now, this re-union of O'Malleys will be as great as ever. Thank you, and may God bless you all."

Mr Charlie O'Malley

Mr. Charlie O'Malley, Chairman, Westport Harbour Board, who also worked hard to gather the members of the Clan, said he was glad to meet them all and welcome them to Westport. They should be proud of their Queen, who never let the English subdue her. It was a great day for the O'Malleys.

Mr. Andrew O'Malley, N.T. Kilmeena; Mr. Patrick P. O'Malley, Westport Quay, and Dr. Conor O'Malley, U.C.G., also spoke. Also on the platform were: Dr. Owen K. O'Malley, Dublin; Mr. P. O'Malley, V.S. Castlebar, and Professor Thomas O'Maille, lecturer, Galway University. The party moved off at 2.30 p.m. to perform the opening ceremony at Grainne's Castle, at Carrigahowley, which stands on the edge of the sea, 4 miles from Newport, beside the home of Sir Owen O'Malley, at Rockfleet. The castle was decorated with Papal and National flags and the Arms of the O'Malley family, which are a galley on a blue ground on top, with a wild boar on a golden shield below. At the foot is the motto: Terra Marique Potens. The ship was chosen because the O'Malleys lived on the sea, and the wild boar showed that the O'Malleys were fearless in battle because the wild boar is the only animal that will turn when brought to bay without being wounded.

History of Clan O'Malley

In a learned address, Dr. Conor O'Malley, Galway, gave the history of Clan O'Malley as follows:-

"The early history of our Clan O'Malley dates back to Pagan Ireland. Earliest legends and traditions, many bearing the hall-mark of truth associate the Clan with the Barony of Murrisk and the territory between Killary harbour and Achill. In John Brown's 16th century map this territory is called 'Owle O'Mayle.' It is said that a paramount Chief of the Clan submitted with all his retinue to St. Patrick and became converted to christianity. So there seems good reason to believe that our christian heritage has come down in unbroken continuity for fifteen hundred years, and that the Faith implanted by Patrick, the apostle of the Irish, has been kept steadfastly all down the ages through weal and through woe by the O'Malley Clan.

"It can be held that when recorded history first touched the country of Clew Bay it found O'Malleys the dominant septs. The earliest reference in Irish Annals describes Flannabhra (773) as the Lord of Umhall, the territory later called 'Umhall O'Maille,' when the Clan assumed the surname 'O'Maille.' "In their day the Norsemen sea rovers made murderous descents on Umhall, slaughtering and being slaughtered by the men of Umhall. It must have been a place of note then, since those sea wolves were always in quest of fair prizes and worth-while loot.

'An interesting tradition has come down to us that the O'Malley chieftain line had been wiped out to the last man by the Danes, leaving only one male child who was reared by a foster mother. The boy later grew to be a great warrior under the special patronage of St. Brendan the Navigator. This attractive story assumes various shapes down the ages, taking on new forms to suit the changing times. For instance, Cromwell replaces the Danes in the later versions.

"There are many references to O'Malley chiefs and warriors in the Irish Annals, but as usual they are laconic statements of battle and sudden death. In one respect I think the historic bulletins about O'Malleys differ from those of other Clans in that the enemy that claimed many victims was the sea. Those ancient sailors of Umhall O'Maille had to contend with one of the roughest seas in all seven oceans. It is little wonder that many brave men in the small ships of those days sailed out of Clew Bay, never to return. They did not fear the sea, however, unlike most people of ancient times in Ireland, and there seems to be ample justification for their proud motto, terra marique potens. In the Book of Rights the King of Connacht gives the O'Malley the unusual present of five ships.

"In the early 12th century the O'Connors seemed to have invaded West Mayo in force ·and despoiled O'Malley country, the result being that when those O'Connors were in turn attacked by the strangers, namely the Normans, in a battle in Clew Bay the O'Malleys observed armed neutrality.

ALLIES

"The Clan seems to have accepted the De Burgo as their best policy and became allies of their powerful neighbours, the Slocht Ulick Burkes and so held complete suzeranity in Umhall under the MacWilliamship. It is quite clear that O'Malleys remained rulers of their own territory under the Norman domination, and a pact of friendship with the great De Burgo existed from the early Norman invasion down to the final extinction of the MacWilliamship in Mayo. This same pattern of friendship seems also to have held between O'Malleys and O'Flahertys. No doubt the alliance was cemented by marriage, like the celebrated marriage of Grainne Uaile, first to the Head of the O'Flahertys, and secondly to Richard De Burgo, chief of the Lower Burkes. One gets the general impression that O'Malley enjoyed comparative peace on land in those stirring times; but they sailed the seas from Tir Connell, in the North, to the Kingdom of Kerry, in the South, to intervene in many battles and forays between other Clans and nations. At a time when raiding the neighbouring chief for loot, on one pretext or another, was the fashion, and a legitimate 'trade,' the O'Malley 'trade,' was exceptional in that it seems to have been mainly sea borne.

"It would be impossible in a short sketch to deal with the life and adventures of the great sea queen of the O'Malleys, Grainne Uaile. We can say at the outset that pure Irish tradition and O'Malley tradition has nothing but good to say about her. She got a very bad Press, however, from the only written records about her, namely, the Elizabethan State Papers. This is only to be expected, since such documents were mainly political propaganda. We have only to recall the truth value of modern war communiques or even note what modern politicians say about one another, to assess the true value of Elizabethan State Paper reports from the Queen's Buccaneers in Connacht. A clear picture emerges, however, of a lady of great courage who parleyed or fought as occasion deemed best; but she always maintained her independence against all comers. Her worst enemy was Sir Richard Bingham, one of the ablest of Elizabeth's gangsters in Ireland. In the eyes of modern Ireland no greater compliment could be paid than when in his malicious letter to the Privy Council he calls Grainne Uaile 'a noted traitress and nursemaid of the rebellions in Connacht for forty years.'

"Two illustrious and scholarly Archbishops of Tuam, namely John MacHale and John Healy, regarded Grainne Uaile as a heroine who embodied the undying spirit of the Irish to maintain their freedom. This is a short stanza of a poem by Archbishop MacHale:

'One night as oppressed with soft slumbers I lay, A

nd dreamt of old Erin, oft thought of by day.

With the long, wasting wars between Saxon and Gael. 

Up rose the bright vision of fair Grainne Uaile."

"Archbishop Healy also had a particular interest in the great career of Grainne Uaile. To him she typified the struggle for Faith and Fatherland which went on in Ireland for centuries. He said she would be remembered 'as long as the holy mountain of St. Patrick stands on its pride of place, looking down like a guardian angel on that beautiful bay with its myriad islands, which Grainne kept so stoutly and loved so well.'

"All true blue O'Malleys, whether in Ireland or scattered over the four corners of the earth, are proud of Grainne Uaile. We stand here today to bear testimony to that. It is only fitting, therefore, that we translate this admiration into stone and mortar, and rebuild again the stronghold where she withstood her last enemies. This is the best answer that can be given to some half-baked historians and scribblers who would decry her prestige. It is a fitting tribute from the O'Malley Clan to their sea queen of the West."

Restoration of Castles and Abbeys

Lady Mary O'Malley, wife of Sir Owen O'Malley, welcomed the O'Malleys to their castle and said: Ladies and gentlemen, and friends of the O'Malley Clan. I am here today to greet you on behalf of my husband, Sir Owen O'Malley, and to tell you how sorry he is that owing to illness in his family over in England, he cannot be with us to welcome you himself to this ancient castle, which by your efforts and his has been restored to the condition in which it was in in the days when the great Grainne lived in the topmost room. When my husband and I came to West Mayo 15 years ago, and bought the house yonder and this castle, he was greatly distressed by the ruinous and indeed the dangerous state of the principal O'Malley buildings around Clew Bay. The abbeys of Clare Island, Burrishoole and Murrisk, the Castle of Kildownet, on Achill Sound, and this castle, were all neglected and steadily falling into decay. By his constant pressure on the Ancient Monuments Commission, which had little care, sitting far away in Dublin, for "Mayo God help us," he has caused all to be restored. Fine landmarks in the history of Clan O'Malley made safe in six years, and all now in the nation's care.

Clan Subscribed

Only this building has been roofed and floored, and that we owe to the generous subscriptions of many members of the Clan, collected through the tireless energy of, particularly Mr. John J. 0 Malley, of Westport (applause). 

But before more learned people than I begin to tell you about the history of the castle, I wish to say one thing that Sir Owen would have said had he been with us (and don't be thinking it odd that a Maille woman should be standing up talking to you) when people hear the name O'Malley throughout the world is it a man they think of? It is not; it is a woman - Grainne Uaile.

Castle on Fire

What I have to say is this - isn't it about time the O'Malleys began to look after the ancient buildings of Mayo themselves and to teach their children, too? When Sir Owen bought this castle fourteen years ago half the roof was still on it, but while he was abroad the tiles were stripped off and stolen. Two years ago when the wooden floors were newly put in, Miss Jane looked out one Sunday afternoon and saw smoke pouring out of the castle windows. She ran across and found that the lads from around about had lit a fire and were trying to burn the ladders down, and not the little gossoons either! It was the big lads, who could think of no better use of a Sunday than to destroy what had just been built up. Now isn't that a shocking thing altogether?

If Sir Owen were here I know his wish would be to urge all who bear the same name as himself to press for more education about this - to have talks for the children in the schools about respecting and taking care of all ancient things, which are our Irish heritage. It is no good boasting of being descended from Grainne Uaile and talking about the glorious past, if we are so careless as to let what is left to us of the glorious past be destroyed.

And now I have only to open the doors of Grainne's old home and hand the key to the committee, so that you may see what a fine job the Ancient Monuments Commission have made of it with the clansmen's good money. And may Clan O'Malley, which has been a Catholic Clan for 15 centuries this very year, remain faithful to the Catholic Faith till the world's end. (applause).

CASTLEBAR. HISTORIAN SPEAKS

Having joined in thanking the lecturer, Mr. J. F. Quinn, Western People, who, it was mentioned, had written the history of the O'Malleys, said he also would like to join in the chorus of approval and appreciation from all parts of the country of the step taken by those who had brought about this memorable and historic gathering of Clan O'Malley, whose place in Mayo history for more than fifteen centuries made it but fitting that the scattered sons of this important sept should be federated under the old banner with the motto "powerful by land and sea," which in the stirring past was often carried in triumph against the Saxon foe. A permanent family organisation of this kind would serve a good and useful purpose, but if it only saved from oblivion the name and fame of a family whose exploits in the Anglo-Norman epoch are interwoven in the warp and woof of Mayo history, and not with discredit, it would be justified. And, apart from the famous Sea Queen, there was a galaxy of outstanding men of the name, and though they did not all fight for Ireland, such as Major General George O'Malley, whose imposing epitaph is at Christ Church, Castlebar, and tomb in Murrisk Abbey, they yet deserve to be remembered. In Church and State, and in the learned professions there were men of the name. This was not the time or place to recall them, bur he thought it was justifiable that at least a few should be enumerated now. Who of the Irish race today could you place higher in intellectual ability than Surgeons Michael and Conor O'Malley, of Galway? And most of them could look back with pride and gratitude to what the late Padraig O'Malley did to save the Irish language in Connaught and organise the forces that won independence.

Above and beyond all others associated with this hosting of the outstanding men proclaiming allegiance to the Umhall he had to place that merchant prince of Westport, John J. O'Malley, whose record shines throughout all Ireland, and though others were associated with him, the credit in a large measure goes out to him.

The acquirement and re-edification of one of the queen's dismantled palaces was a happy thought and in Carrickahooly Castle the Clan would have a historic rallying place, and after a time somewhere to tarry, amongst the most magnificent scenery in Ireland, and to delve deeper into the history of the kingdom. And scholars and tourist will come from afar to enjoy what it provides.

He said he visualised Carrickahooly equipped with a suitable library- at least everything bearing on the history of Umhall and its outstanding men; also museum and art gallery. Like the British Trust, set up to preserve historic houses, its counterpart in Ireland has little funds, so that the cost of making Carrickahooly suitable for the purpose intended must be provided by those interested. Fortunately for the Clan, the O'Malley abbey at Murrisk was in a fair state of preservation. Not so, however, the Carmelite Convent on Clare Island, where the queen takes her long sleep, and above and beyond everything else this structure has got to be seen to.

"And in this connection," he concluded, "I would suggest that all with the blood of Grainne in their veins, such as the Marquis of Sligo, to whom recently fell the Earldom of Clanricard; the Earls of Mayo, the Boyd Barrels, O'Donnell Brownes, Knotts, Burkes, O'Flahertys - even members of British royalty itself, and various others - should be approached in the matter."

Tomas O Maille, Ph.D., Lecturer, Galway University, spoke entirely in Irish on the life of Granuaile, and praised the efforts of the Clan.

The Castle was then opened by Mr. Charles O'Malley, Westport, and a large number went in to inspect it. The first O'Malley to reach the top was Charlie O'Malley, aged 17, Westport Post Office staff, a member of the boys' band.

A salute was sounded from the battlements. Mr. A. O'Malley, N.T. Kilmeena, presided at the meeting.

John J O'Malley, Clan President

Such a large crowd of O'Malleys and their friends attended at the C.I.E. Hotel, Mulranny, afterwards, that there had to be two sittings for lunch. At the second sitting Mr. John J. O'Malley, Westport, chief organiser of the O'Malley Clan Rally, was appointed Chief of the Clan, with Dr. Conor O'Malley, Galway, Vice-Chief. The appointments are for one year, and next year an O'Malley from Galway or Limerick may be elected Chief.

Amongst those also present were Rev. Charles O'Malley, Inishbofin. Mr. Paddy O'Malley, Hibernian Bank, Dublin, brother of Mr. Ernie O'Malley, author, and soldier of 1916, who was unable to be present. Dr. Owen K. O'Malley, Dublin; Mr. P. O'Malley, V.S., Castlebar; Mr. Seamus O'Malley, N.T., Coilmore N.S., Claremorris, who captained the Mayo team which won the All-Ireland crown in 1936; Major O'Malley, Suir Castle, Tipperary.

The youngest O'Malley present was Imelda O'Malley, aged 2 years, daughter of Charlie and Mrs. O'Malley, Dooagh; Grainne O'Malley, aged 6, daughter of Mr. P. J. O'Malley, engineer, and grand-daughter of Mr. Charlie O'Malley, Westport. The oldest member came from Clare Island, John O'Malley, aged 96.

Present also was Mr. Tom O'Malley, a native of Clare Island, home from Chicago and settled at Murrisk. He said he had a club in Chicago in which were 2,500 O'Malleys. Also present were Grace O'Malley, Wexford. Exiles Ni Mhaille, Maire Bean Nf Dailigh: Mrs. O Flaherty, Kilkenny. The O'Malleys came from the following places:-

Dublin- Michl. O'Malley, Clondalkin; Bernadette O'Malley, Glasnevin; M. O'Malley, Gladstone; P. O'Malley, Blackrock; Nellie O'Malley, Kimmage.

Limerick- James O'Malley, Bottomstown, Brian O'Malley.

Galway- P. O'Malley, Moylough; Matt O'Malley, Cleggan; L. O'Malley, College Road; Mrs. O'Malley, Kilmilkin; Martin O'Malley, Headford; Padraic O'Malley, Shop Street, Westport.

Mayo - P. O'Malley, Carrowmore-Lacken; A. O'Malley, Roonith, Louisburgh; Patk. P. O'Malley, Furmoyle; Anthony O'Malley, Pullgloss; Peter O'Malley, Feenone; M. O'Malley, Killadoon; Thomas O'Malley, Ballyhaunis; Maire Ni Mhaille, O'Malley, Killadoon; T. O'Malley, Bridge Street, Swinford; Matt O'Malley, Ballintubber; John O'Malley, Kilmeena; James O'Malley, Ballyburke; Joe O'Malley, Streamstown; Austin and Anthony O'Malley, Ballyheane; Austin O'Malley, Ballintubber; Mr. and Mrs. J. O'Malley, Kinnewery.

Achill- H. O'Malley, Bunnacurry; Owen O'Malley, Melawn; Mrs. Nora Connor, Bunnacurry; Mrs. Joseph Deane, N.T., Bunnacurry; Charles and Mrs. O'Malley, Dooagh; A. O'Malley, Dooagh; Tony O'Malley, Keel P.O.; James O'Malley, Newport, Co. Mayo; Ed. O'Malley, Newport, Co. Tipperary; Kenneth O'Malley, Leeds; John J. O'Malley, Rathdowney; Eilis O'Malley, City Hall, Kilkenny.

Westport - John J. O'Malley and Mrs. O'Malley; Miss M. A. O'Malley, Mill Street; Mr. Brendan O'Malley, M. O'Malley, Miss Eileen O'Malley, Bridge Street; Mr. R. O'Malley, High Street; Miss Lillie O'Malley, Messrs. J. F. and Edward O'Malley, Lanmore; Arthur O'Malley, Shop Street; Peter O'Malley, 5.5.0., The Fairgreen; John O'Malley, Castlebar Street; E. O'Malley, Castlebar Street; Mrs. N. O'Malley, Castlebar Street; Edward O'Malley, Cloonmonad; Wm. O'Malley, Newport; Mr. Chappie O'Malley, Mr. and Mrs. O'Malley, Murrisk; Mr. and Mrs. Chas. O'Malley, The Mall, Westport; Brian O'Malley, The Mall, Westport; Ml. O'Malley, The Mall Westport; Miss Nan O'Malley, The Mall, Westport; Miss May O'Malley, The Mall, Westport.

Westport Quay - Mr. and Mrs. Pa O'Malley, Messrs. Ed. O'Malley, J. J. O'Malley, John F. O'Malley, Miss Margaret O'Malley, P. O'Malley, Altamount Street; Mrs. Rita O'Malley, John's Row; Frank O'Malley, High Street; Mr. P. J. O'Malley, The Octagon.

Mr. P. Pearse O'Malley, M.B., M.R.C.P., D.P.M., Belfast; M. Bartley O'Malley, Dunmore, Co. Galway; Thomas O'Malley, Ballinrobe; Paddy O'Malley, B.E., Monaghan; Paddy O'Malley, Long Street, Louisburgh; Councillor Mary O'Malley, Belfast Corporation; Dr. B. O'Malley, Mill Street, Westport; Mrs. P. O'Malley, Lanagh House, Castlebar; John O'Malley, Kilmeena; Mrs. P. P. O'Malley, Westport; Mrs. O'Malley, Chemist, Castlebar; Mrs. Alice Sweeney, Achill Sound; Miss Eileen O'Malley, Killadangan; Mr. and Mrs. P. O'Malley, Linenhall Street, Castlebar; Mr. G. O'Malley, Ballinrobe; Mr. John O'Malley, Newport; Mr. L. O'Malley, Cross, Kilmeena; John Ned O'Malley, Clare Island, who is a member of the Old I.R.A., and M. J. O'Malley, Clare Island.

Mass was offered in Westport and Newport Churches for the souls of the deceased members of the O'Malley Clan.

The hard-working Secretaries, Mr. John J. O'Malley, Westport; Mr. P. O'Malley, Westport Quay; Mr. C. O'Malley, Westport, and Mr. Andrew O'Malley