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Successful
Clan MacKenna Rally
The McKennas were once the dominant
Clan of north Monghan and South Tyrone.
The sixth Clan MacKenna Rally was held on last weekend
28th to 30th June, in the Sliabh Beagh Tourism Centre Knockatallon,
Co Monaghan. It was a resounding success despite the lack
of numbers from the North American Clan members, which
is understandable giving the worry regarding safety in air
travel. However a number of brave souls made the effort,
and enjoyed themselves.
Friday night was the starting point with the Inauguration
of the Honorary Chieftain. The outgoing Chieftain Laurence
McKenna of Gallinagh, Monaghan, had a very active term of
office and attended many functions on behalf of the Clan
MacKenna. It was he, as tradition goes, inaugurated the
new Chieftain Bernard McKenna of Enagh, Monaghan, a steadfast,
staunch and very active member of the Clan. In his address
gave thanks to Laurence McKenna on the work he has done
with his committee. He also called on the young people of
the Clan MacKenna to get involved and retain the history
and heritage of the forebearers. Ongoing on the night was
the registration Clan members.
The launch of the Clan Journal, number 8, was undertaken
by Mr Eugene Swezey, from near Boston USA. Mr Swezey is
an authority on the MacKenna Clan and his book which was
published in the States, has been influential in the reforming
of the Clan. He praised the work of the editor and content
of the Journal, which he said, that all North Americans
of MacKenna blood enjoyed thoroughly and look forward to
reading after each Rally. Mr Seamus McCluskey, the editor
of the Journal, thanked Mr Swezey and said it was a pleasure
to do the editing as the articles were well worth publishing
and in fact he had started on the next book.
A short talk on the MacKennas by Brendan 0'Neill, this was
dealing with their part in estate rentals, rounded off the
night. There was entertainment delivered by the local Barritatopy
Ceili Band who gave us reels and jigs a plenty. There were
other local guests Kieran McKenna, on fiddle, the singing
of Collette Johnston and brother Brian Mullen, and the dancers
of McQuaid School of Dancing. Everybody had a very good
night.
Saturday was the tour of MacKenna Country guided by Seamus
McCluskey. From Knockatallon to Errigal Graveyard via Bragan
Cross, Liskenna, Tully, Glennan Drumbanagher, Glaslough
and Castle Leslie. A very historical and witty' tour by
Seamus with many distracting stories. There was a very good
tum out and Veronica Apfelstedt, from Mullagh via Paris,
and her family enjoyed every moment, but poor Claire Boylan,
from Georgia, kept leaning on husband Frank, from Ardaghy
son of the late Pat Boylan.
At St Mary's Urbleshanny the Clan members presented gifts
at mass to represent all aspects of its history. On Saturday
night the Banquet was held in the Sliabh Beagh Tourism Centre.
It was very well attended with well over a hundred McKennas
and friends and was enjoyed by one and all. A welcoming
address was given by Mrs Mary McKenna, Hon President from
Kilrudden, Co Tyrone, she welcomed all the visitors to our
shores and all who attended the dinner. The food was of
the best standards possible and the staff were excellent.
Well done Sliabh Beagh! The dancing followed and the music
was supplied by Tumbleweed. Sunday was a rest day and the
dancers were out again that night with the closedown Ceili,
Sets and Old Iyme. The music was supplied by Grousel and
Davey Fallon, from Westmeath. The night and weekend ended
with the new Chieftain Bernard Mc Kenna urging people to
encourage young people to take an interest in their Clan
whether it was the MacKenna Clan or not. "Cirtle Bharraigh
Abu!!" The Clan MacKenna website will be up and running
by the end of the year and will have coverage of this years
Rally.
Courtesy of the Northern Standard
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