Page 10 - O Mahony Society Newsletter NOV 2025_Neat

That evening was the initial O Mahony Society casual meet
and greet at Coolcower House, and not surprisingly - it was
in the bar! It was relaxing and fun meeting, talking, and
getting to know some of the society members. Being drawn
to explore our ancestral history, as well as connecting with
our O Mahony kin, I was delighted to experience how the O
Mahony Society members share this passion with welcoming
arms and infectious enthusiasm. What a wonderful group
of people, from those who travel back to the Ireland of their
ancestors, to those who never left.

The next day, on Saturday, June 14, 2025, several of the O
Mahony Society members took the journey to the Michael
Collins Centre Museum, located near Clonakilty, Cork.
What a fascinating experience it was. The museum is run
enthusiastically by Tim and Dolores Crowley, and it is located
on the grounds of their beautiful family farm. The slide
show, artifacts and presentation are well worth the visit. I
was agape at one of the slides of Michael Collins as a young
boy standing with his family. I took a quick snapshot of it
and sent it off to my family in America. They were amazed
as was I, at the likeness that his sister and I have. The Irish
genes certainly run deep in the line.
After the museum experience a few of us decided to go to
nearby Clonakilty for lunch. The two-lane road to Clonakilty
is really more like one and a half lanes, and at one point an
enormous vehicle came straight for us. Suddenly the day
became much more exciting! When we eventually passed
one another, I think we were literally one inch apart and
we only made it through due to the big vehicle rolling over
part of the hedge on its side of the road! Awe - the roads of
Ireland! I will never forget them, and I am glad we made it!

Clonakilty was charming, filled with joyful people and
local color, and the center of town was decorated for a
celebration. We had lunch, had fun chattering away, and
then got a good Irish soaking on the way back to the car in a
true downpour.
On our way back to Coolcower House, we stopped at the
memorial dedicated to Michael Collins at the site of his
death at Béal na Bláth. It is a stark yet moving memorial,
and a reminder of the sacrifices made in the name of the
Ireland we know today.

The highlight of Saturday was later that evening at the O
Mahony annual dinner at Coolcower House. Such a lovely
evening - it was relaxing, and joyful, and so much fun getting
to know many of the gathering participants by hearing them
read a poem or sing a song. The food was delicious, and a
lovely display had been set up showing much of the history
of the organization both past and present. It was a treasured
night filled with joy, levity, clan, and kin.

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