Archived Items
2nd February 2012
A Gallagher Evening Announced for Letterkenny on 9th March 2012.
In order to set the scene for the beginning of the run-in to the 2013 gathering we've decided to give people a chance to recall the 1st Gallagher Global Gathering in 2007. We plan to have a Gallagher evening in the Station House Hotel, Pearse Rd., Letterkenny, Co. Donegal on Friday the 9th March 2012 beginning at 7.00 p.m.to do just that and more. See more details HERE
22nd December 2011

The Dave Gallaher Commemorative Bronze
Those of you with an interest in rugby and with a bit of money rolling around in your pockets might be interested in a bronze statue of Dave Gallaher being offered for sale by the Dave Gallaher Society (with whom we have no connection except as regards to having a mutual interst in the Dave Gallaher story). A sales leaflet produced by the Society has been added for your perusal to the Dave Gallagher page HERE.
14th June 2011
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Apostolic Nuncio to Guatemala, was added to the list of Roman Catholic Bishops see HERE
17th May 2011
Following from the visit to Dublin for the AGM of the Clans of Ireland mentioned below and the discovery of a Gallagher being Lord Mayor in the period 1915-17 further information has come to hand via Dr. Mary Clark, City Archivist with Dublin City Council see HERE
6th May 2011
New Zealander launches her book on the mother of the famous All-Black captain, Dave Gallaher
The story of Maria Gallaher and her children (who included David Gallaher, the captain of the 1905 All Blacks) is told fully for the first time by her great-granddaughter Kay Carter. It is a remarkable account of a family who emigrated from Ramelton, County Donegal, Ireland to the pioneer settlement of Katikati in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.
They faced hardship and near-destitution as her elderly and ill husband failed to succeed as a farmer settler, and schoolteacher Maria became the sole breadwinner of the family. Her early death at 42, after bearing 14 children, threw the family on to its only resource — the determination of the older children as young adults to look after their ailing father and the younger siblings. The family eventually spread across New Zealand and Australia, encouraged by the opportunities of the gold fields of both countries.
‘Maria Gallaher, her Story and her Children’s Stories’, costs €25 plus postage and packaging and is available from The Dave Gallaher Society by emailing davegallahersociety@gmail.com.
28th April 2011
Gallaghers Galore - A memoir of the 2007 Global Gathering written at the time by one of the atendees Patricia Gallagher Cuff see HERE Anybody interested in having another Gallagher Global Gathering take place in September 2012 (or suggest an alternative date)? If so contact postmaster@gallagherclan.org
16th April 2011
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Taoiseach of the Gallagher Clan, Adrian Gallagher with Cllr. Paddy McCartan
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Gallagher Clan represented at the AGM of the Clans of Ireland in the Mansion House, Dublin, Ireland
The Annual General Meeting 2011 took place on Saturday 16th April in the Mansion House, Dublin. Clans of Ireland is very grateful to the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr. Gerry Byrne, for inviting us to hold the AGM at his official residence. We were also delighted that the Lord Mayor was represented at the AGM by Cllr. Paddy McCartan.
Delegates at the AGM represented over 60 clans based in Ireland, USA, Canada, UK, Australia and France. The Gallagher Clan was represented by our taoiseach, Adrian Gallagher. The Oak Room in the Mansion House provided an appropriate venue for the Parade of Clans as the walls of the room are decorated with the coats of arms of all Lord Mayor's of Dublin since 1841. The Parade of Clans was received by Clans of Ireland Cathoirleach Ms. Norah Keohane Hickey who was accompanied on the review stand by O Morchoe of Oularteleigh, Chief of the Name, Cllr. Paddy McCartan representing the Lord Mayor of Dublin and Ambassador Hearn of Canada.
After each clan had presented itself the Master of Ceremonies Micheal Kilcrann of Kilcrann declared in the assembly to be gathered and invited Ambassador Hearn of Canada to address the representatives of the Irish Clans and Families. In his address Ambassador Hearn highlighted the contribution of the Irish Diaspora to Canada, the USA and elsewhere and pointed out that this was a two way relationship that should be used to the benefit of Ireland during these difficult economic times.
Adrian Gallagher was delighted to see that a Gallagher has held the position of Lord Mayor of Dublin, He was James Mitchell Gallagher, who held the office from 1915 to 1917 and his coat of arms hangs on the walls of the Mansion House along with those of the others who held the office.We would like to hear more about this man and would especially like to make contact with any of his descendants, if there be any.
9th March 2011
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An Taoiseach Enda Kenny T.D.
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Best Wishes to New Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister)
We would like to offer our best wishes to the newly elected Taoiseach Enda Kenny T.D. on his appointment. Mr. Kenny, then leader of the opposition, in July 2007 assisted the Clan to promote our then pending Gallagher Glpbal Gathering . This was especially important as his support led to our getting great coverage in the press especially in Co. Mayo which is such a Gallagher stronghold. Indeed we were very grateful to the many Gallaghers from Mayo who travelled to Donegal and thus helped us achieve our Guinness World Record in September of that year. To read more about our meting with Mr. Kenny in 2007 see HERE
Another Gallagher knight
It has been brought to my attention that we have another knight among the Gallaghers (see also 24/1/11 below). In November 2010 John Gallagher CNZM K.St.J., J.P., Hon. D. was promoted to Knight of Grace by the Order of St. John.
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Mary Ellen Jenkins (nee Gallagher)
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8th March 2011
America's First War Bride
This is the story of Mary Ellen Jenkins (nee Gallagher), the first lady to cross the Atlantic as a war bride during World War 2. See HERE
22nd February 2011:
On behalf of the global Gallagher Clan I would like to wish best wishes to all our fellow Gallaghers in New Zealand and hope that they and theirs have survived unscathed from the terible earthquake which hit Christchurch. Our thoughts are with you all.
31st January 2011
Gallagher ancient lineage taken from The banquet of Dun na n-Gedh and The battle of Magh Rath by John O'Donavan (http://www.archive.org/details/banquetofdunnang00trin)
24th January 2011
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Sir William Gallagher
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We can start off 2011 with a great story for the Gallaghers with Sir William (Bill) Gallagher being honoured by being made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year's Honours List.
Bill Gallagher has decided to be known as Sir William after being knighted in the New Year's Honours for services to business, having created a company that employs more than 1000 people from a "world headquarters" in Hamilton.
It is the third honour to be bestowed on the businessman with a reputation as a hands on manager at family-owned Gallagher Group. He received an MBE in 1987 and was made a member of New Zealand Order of Merit in 1998.
"It will be Sir William, I've already decided that," he said. "The knighthood is a very high honour and it is very appreciated," he said.
Gallaghers everywhere will, I'm sure, be delighted to offer our congratulations to Bill and his family.
See HERE and HERE for more
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The Late Marianna O'Gallagher
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16th November 2010
It was with great regret that I heard this evening of the death of Marianna O'Gallagher, the noted historian from Quebec City, Canada, who died on he 23rd May 2010. Though this may be the age of the internet it was only via a chance meeting locally earlier this evening that I became aware of her passing.
She had honoured our Gallagher Global Gathering in 2007 with her presence and all who joined us for that week will remember her for kindness and also for her knowledge of things Irish, especially of the Irish emigration to Canada.
My last correspondence with her concerned her appointment as Grand Marshall when Quebec City resurrected its St. Patrick's Day parade earlier this year. She took great pride in the fact that she would be placing the O'Gallagher name in high prominence by her position in this event. She later sent me a copy of the local newspaper celebrating the parade and telling me of her great enjoyment of the day.
May she Rest in Peace.
New Variant on List:
GOLLEHER: A name found in the southern states of the USA. It originated with immigrants who came through Louisana as ranchers and farm workers. We would like to hear from holders of this name and that of other variants as we want to build up a profile of the various variants - the name origin (when & how) and the spread of it in the past and today. Strictly speaking variants are those surnames, no matter what the spelling, that were used over a period and were not single instances of incorrect spelling that were later corrected. .We just love lists concerning any of the Gallagher names whether it be your local electoral roll, phone book or other such source. We can be contacted at postmaster@gallagherclan.org .
5th July 2010
Origins of the Gallagher Surname and the Nickname associated with it by Seosamh Ua Gallchobhair, Teelin, Co. Donegal see here.
3rd March 2010
LINKS TO GALLAGHER FAMILY HISTORY SITES - If you have or know of sites/pages such as these please forward links, which we will add here
12thJanuary 2010
MAUREEN GALLAGHER - Actress and playwright see HERE
22nd December 2009
DAVE GALLAGHER - Rugby Player and first All-Black Captain see HERE
5th December 2009
FERRY AND GALLAGHER - Part of the Donegal Relief Fund story see HERE
19th October 2009
FROM THE BRIDGE OF TEARS TO AUSTRALIA AND BACK - VISITING MY PAST by Joy Maguire see HERE
5th April 2009
Project begins to pinpoint the various Gallaghers as they appear in The Griffiths Primary List of Tenements of c. 1850 and have them available on a central database. A request for assistance. See HERE
25th February 2009
Gallagher DNA project begins to come up with results. See HERE
12th February 2009
Finding aids for family history research in County Donegal, 4th Edition, updated January 2009
12th February 2009
18th December 2008
The Glasgow Celtic F.C. connection see here
John Gallagher - Rugby World Cup Winner see here
Benny Gallagher, singer/songwriter see here
18th October 2008
Addittions to GAA and Soccer in History-Personalities-Sporting
Friday 3rd October 2008:
Churchmen and Women
The page dedicated to the many churchmen and women of Gallagher descent can be seen HERE
Wednesday 17th September 2008
Gallagher Clan record is in the Guinness World Records 2009
The Gallaghers take their place in the Guinness World Records 2009 book being launched today see HERE.
19th July 2008
Gallagher DNA Fund Established
A fund has been established to assist in expanding the number of Gallaghers taking DNA tests. The fund will be used to help pay for tests by those who
- May not have the funds to pay for their own tests and
- May not be particularly interested in genealogy but whose results may help extended branches of their families better explore their origins.
See HERE for further information.
22nd May 2008:
20th May 2008:
24th April 2008:
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Excerpts from the
Boston Pilot newspaper “Missing Friends” column referring to Gallaghers. See
Resources
12th January 2012
Death of Bridie Gallagher "The Girl from Donegal", (7 September 1924 – 9 January 2012):
It is with great sadness that we heard of the death of Bridie Gallagher, the noted singer. In her time she was one of the best known, if not the best known, Gallaghers in the world. Among other things she holds the record of the biggest audience in the Albert Hall in London. This is a record which will not be broken as that venue has now been transformed to an all-seater one.
She had been living in Belfast for some time but today she was interred in Doe Cemetery in her native area, an area she made famous with her singing of the song “They’re cutting the corn in Creeslough today”. For more information see HERE
May she rest in peace.