Connacht was granted by the English King to de Burgh, a direct descendant of a half brother of William the Conqueror. Enjoy this name printed onto our colourful scroll, printed in Olde English script. Large numbers died because of the blight that had arrived and had caused the potato to rot. The Kellys had approximately eighty castles at one time or another in their territory. Despite being lauded by the Like O’Kelly, Kelley is another variation on the surname. Their contributions to the Clan will be greatly missed.Kim Fleming provided Celtic harp music during dessert.The focus was on plans for the Kelly Clan organisation going forward, as many people are very concerned about the future of the group. Kelly is an anglicization of the Irish name O’Ceallaigh, which means “descendent of Ceallach” or “warrior.” Ceallach is a personal name that has been thought to signify “bright-headed” or “white-headed.” The Irish word for churchyard, It is one of the most prevalent surnames in Ireland, and there were at least seven distinct clans with some variation on the Kelly surname in many different Irish counties. The Association Muintir Uí Cheallaigh was inaugurated in Roscommonon 26 May 1995 in order to share knowledge, kinship and friendship among the Ó Ceallaighs, Ó Kellys and Kellys and to hold regular clan gatherings throughout the country. This is how I propose we reignite this Association.The O’Kelly Clans Association is about all people of the name, about all of the O’Kelly or Kelly kindred groups around the country and it is my belief that if we have people involved from all, or as many as possible, of these fifteen groups, working together, we could become much more vibrant and could become one of the most active clan associations in the country, as we once were.The Association has been incredibly lucky to have had the services of Bernie and Michael, Dr Joe, Celsus and the other members of the Council, many of whom have been involved since that very first meeting in Roscommon and it is my hope that they will again see the fruits of their labours.After the successful gathering of 2017 at the Armada Hotel in Spanish Point it was clear that it was going to be difficult to hold such Gatherings in future. Requiem Mass tomorrow (Friday) at 1p.m. Since then, the King of Hy Many, whose name was Teig, has been known as Teig of the Battle of Brian.After Máine Mor settled in Hy Many, he encouraged the building of dwellings with defences. There is much information in this newsletter about that Gathering.Failte Ui Cheallaigh (O’Kelly Welcome) to these new members: KELLY, Joe (M. I re-contacted Joe and it was he who organised what I believe to be a very successful trip on the Saturday afternoon of our Gathering.I have since been in contact with the Group and they are very enthusiastic about a meeting. I hope that this extinction does not come to pass. You have listened to the concerns on Friday evening and again this morning from a number of members of the Council and it is my understanding that this Association is now in danger of dying. They said ‘of course he is’. The largest sept were the O’Kellys of Ui Máine (“Hy Many”). –Rt. This is what I propose that we concentrate on. O'Conceannain or O'Concannon, chiefs of Hy-Diarmada, a district on the borders of Roscommon and Galway, in the baronies of Athlone and Ballymoe. It appeared that Galway County Council were reviewing the situation with regards the Centre. His successor was chosen during his lifetime from among his near relatives. True, they did take part in some raids on neighbouring clans but this was little more than blooding the young warriors. If you are from the traditional locations of the Old Clans i.e. Prior to the arrival of gunpowder, these castles could be taken only by a prolonged siege which resulted in starvation of the inhabitants.Moyvannon Castle, Athlone Road, Co. Roscommon Now the property of Elan CorporationIn peacetime the castle acted as the seat of government for the area. Usually these were built on the sites of the old earthen dwellings. They first arrived in Ireland in 795 and by the early part of the ninth century they traversed the river Shannon and built a fortress at Limerick. The name O Ceallaigh meant the grandson of Ceallach. We, as an Association, need a willingness to listen, to debate and a preparedness to change. This was confirmed by a list of castles of County Galway drawn up for the use of Sir Henry Sidney, the Lord Deputy, or King’s representative in Ireland, in the year 1574.From the beginning of the seventeenth century the decline of the O’Kelly fortunes began in earnest.