Page 9 - O Mahony Society Newsletter NOV 2025_Neat

EDITOR’S NOTE: We now turn to OMS member Jacque Mahoney, who shares her captivating and joy-filled account
of her journey to Ireland for the 70th Anniversary Gathering.

My First Visit to Ireland

AND THE 70TH O’MAHONY FAMILY GATHERING JUNE 2025

By Jacque Mahoney – O Mahony Society Member
Rohnert Park, California, USA

Who are my people? Where do I come from?

Questions asked by so many of us whose ancestors crossed the sea
to create what would hopefully become a better life.
I have a great need to travel to the land of my ancestors, to breath in the air, absorb the energy and beauty of
the land, to feel the winds of the shore blow through my hair and touch my soul, to shake the hands of my kin,
and to honor my ancestors. I must go to Ireland - Éire.
These thoughts, feelings and desires have been deep within me for the whole of my life.

Several years ago, my father Terrance Joseph Mahoney told our family about an event he had heard of when he
visited Ireland - it was the O Mahony Gathering in County Cork. Dad did not have many travel ambitions, but he
mentioned his interest in going to this gathering several times over the years. It meant a great deal to him, and
he really wanted our family to attend together, so as a family we decided to make it a reality.

Several members of our American Mahoney family members began making plans to attend the O Mahony
Gathering, and in the Spring of 2020, we were making reservations to participate in that year's event. As
we all know too well, Spring changed the face of our planet with the onset of Covid-19. We were all deeply
saddened as we were then forced to cancel our plans to attend, and thus, we put our trip to Ireland and the O
Mahony Gathering on hold.
Between the years 2020 and 2023, Dad’s health began to decline, his long slow battle with dementia had
become full blown Alzheimer’s, and sadly he passed away in May of 2023 at the age of 83. His loss was great,
and one of my personal regrets was that we never made it to Ireland with him to experience the O Mahony
Gathering together.
After the loss of my father, I made up my mind to fulfill our travel plans, and my son Damon and I began putting
our trip together. We decided that June 2025 was to be our first visit to Ireland and the first time participating
in the O Mahony Gathering.
One of the first things I noticed back in 2020 when making our family’s original arrangements to attend the
gathering was how friendly the O Mahony Society members and the Coolcower House staff were, happily
answering my many questions about traveling to the event. I instantly felt comfortable, and welcome, and five
years later when making our 2025 travel plans, it was as though no time had gone by at all.

When the time finally came to travel my arrival to Ireland from America was on a flight landing in Dublin, a
bus taking me to Cork to enjoy the sites, and then a local bus bringing to Macroom that dropped me off on the
street right at the entrance to the lane the leads to the Coolcower House. As I walked down the lovely lane I
was instantly entranced by the grounds, the trees, the charming manor, and then the beautiful view of the River
Lee. I instantly felt right at home. The staff were lovely, as were the accommodations. What a joy it was to
arrive after a long day of travel to find myself in the peaceful and welcoming air of the Coolcower House.
On Friday, June 13, 2025, I wandered over to the town of Macroom and enjoyed the local beauty, the sites,
and the always friendly local people. I met a woman who runs the antique shop at the Macroom Castle Ruin
grounds, and I told her why I was there visiting in Macroom and she said, “Ah! I am Mary O’Mahony!” Truly -
the O’Mahony’s are everywhere! Mary was thrilled to discover that the O Mahony Gathering was happening
there locally, and she joined us for our gathering at Rath Raithleann. How lovely! 9