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"To all those with Gallagher, or one of its many variants, in their family tree, join us in celebrating our heritage. The Gallagher Clan / Ui Ghallchobhair are an Irish family whose roots extend back into the mists of ancient times. The Gallagher Clan reconvened in 2005 after being scattered for 400 hundred years."

Seán Ó Gallachóir, Chairman.

Variants on the name Gallagher

3rd June 2008: Gallagher Gathering 2008 in Maryland, USA is postponed

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the organising committee of the Gallagher Clan Reunion 2008 USA has been forced to postpone the event until July 2009. The committee would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused intending participants. If you had intended taking part, please contact the organising committee at spqr753@msn.com .

If you would like to help with the Gallagher 2009 USA Reunion and especially if you live in the Washington DC. area, please drop a note to Tim Gallagher at spqr753@msn.com.

New Website Additions

Welcome to our new look website. Into the future we will be adding more information. If you have any information or photographs you would like to contribute to the website, please contact us at postmaster@gallagherclan.org. If you have or know of material suitable for the site please get in contact with details.

30th June 2008

 “Memories to Memoirs” 

A talk on how to record your memories
Venue: The Central Library, Oliver Plunkett Rd., Letterkenny.
Date: Tuesday 8th July 2008.
Time: 8.00p.m.
The Donegal County Library in association with the Gallagher Clan present “Memories to Memoirs”  in the Central Library, Letterkenny on Tuesday next July 8th at 8.00 pm.

The talk will be given by Dr.Rae Luckie, a visiting Australian who is an expert in autobiographical writing. Ms. Luckie is the holder of a PhD in the theory and practice of autobiographical writing from the University of Western Sydney, Australia.

 Rae Luckie first made contact with this part of the world when she expressed a wish to join the Gallagher Clan organisation through their website www.gallagherclan.org . Her great-grandmother, Mary (Maggy) Gallagher, came from Cloughaneely to Sydney on board the "Sapphire" in 1859. At that time great poverty was being suffered in North West Donegal because of the actions of many of the landlords. Answering the pleas of the local clergy, Australians sponsored, by what became known as the Donegal Relief Fund, passage for some of those in dire poverty to that relatively “new land”. The "Sapphire" was one of the first ships to carry these emigrants on this perilous journey.

 Rae is excited at the opportunity to visit the birthplace of her great-grandmother, and the Gallagher Clan are pleased to invite her to give a talk on how to go about writing a memoir. As she says "everybody has a story - isn't it time you wrote yours?"

Rae intends to visit West Donegal to see where her ancestors lived. She would love to know if anyone could “place” her great-grandmother, Mary (Magy) Gallagher, who was a daughter of Hugh and Susan Gallagher of Cloughaneely, whose exact home address was not given but which may refer to either Tullaghobegly (Irish); Cashel Tullaghobegley.

The talk begins at 8.00 pm, and is free of charge. Everybody welcome. For further information, contact the Central Library on 074-9124950 .

22nd May 2008:

• Some statistics (from 1890 & conclusions.,
• How a horse’s itch sparked a Global Gallagher Company

20th May 2008: 

• Hints for searching in the USA

24th April 2008:

• Excerpts from the Boston Pilot newspaper “Missing Friends” column referring to Gallaghers. See Resources

The Gallagher Gathering 2008, Maryland, USA, July 12 - July 19th

News Release: April 7, 2008

Frederick, Maryland, USA

As a follow up to last years great reunion in County Donegal, Ireland we announce the Gallagher Reunion 2008 USA.

Just as our Irish cousins sent out a call for " all Gallaghers and those with Gallagher in their family trees," to gather in Ireland in 2007, we, your American cousins, are asking that you pack your bags once again and join us for our Gallagher Clan Reunion 2008 USA. This time the gathering will take place in Maryland, USA  rightly called "America in Miniature". See FUTURE EVENTS for details.

Guiness World Records

"Gathering" for a record

As of Sunday the 9th September 2007 the Gallagher's are proud holders of a Guinness World Record™. It is that of "the largest same name Gathering – last name". We had 1488 Gallagher’s together in the LYIT Campus in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Ireland at the time of the count. The saying should now change from "keeping up with the Jones'", as the Jones' previously held the record, to “Keeping up with the Gallagher’s” .See PAST EVENTS for further information. 

 "Spinning" a record

Following hot on the heels of the Gallagher Clan gaining their Guinness World Record in September 2007, Mike Gallagher set a new record on December 14th 2007 for "spinning" for 113 hours - and he was still ready for more. See story HERE ..Congratulation to him and his fellow rider.

Which Gallagher is going to be next for a record attempt??? 

Motor Racing

Mark Gallagher (right)

Congratulations to Mark Gallagher, Principal of the Belmayne A1 Team Ireland, for their great win in the A1 Grand Prix in Mexico on St. Patrick's Day 2008.  

Having worked for many years in Formula 1 motor sport with the Jordan Team Mark is now leading the Team Ireland in search of further glory. Well done to all concerned.

 Shaun Gallagher (left)

Shaun Gallagher took the Rookie of the Year title in the World Rally Championship at Rally Catalunya on the 7th March 2008.

This is Shaun's and World Rally Team Ireland's first year in the Championship so it's a great achievement all round. 

Death of Roger Lane

 On the 6th Feb. 2008 we were sorry to hear of the death of Roger Lane. Those of you who attended the first couple of days of our Gathering in September will remember him for the colour and fun he added to the event when he dressed up as a "red coat". This was to commemorate his great grandfather, Srg. Henry Gallagher's bravery in the Battle of Rorke's Drift during the Zulu wars of the 19th century. Roger was kind enough to give us permission to put his essay on Srg. Henry on our website (see HERE ). Roger was forever trying to find Henry's origins in Co. Tipperary, Ireland but without success.

I'm sure that when they meet up, that he will corner Henry for an answer to this and the many other questions he had about his Gallagher heritage. May they both Rest in Peace. We would also like to offer our condolonces to his family at this sad time.

The Gallagher Clan Organisation

The organisation was established in 2005 to

1. Unite the worldwide community of Gallaghers;
2. Explore and document all relevant sources which tell of Gallagher activity down the ages;
3. Build up a family history resource which can assist individuals find their own and their forbearers place in the story;
4. Carry on any activities necessary to further the above aims.
5. Facilitate a gathering of the Clan at a local level within each geographic area and worldwide.

The door is open and all are welcome. We hope we can help you and we need your help in return to grow and better carry out our aims for the good of all.

The Clan Committee would appreciate if everyone would contribute their knowledge of things Gallagher, whether it be connected to their own or their family’s story or if their own area of interest can throw some light on a particular Gallagher, events that Gallaghers might have been/ are involved in or any other facet of the global Gallagher heritage. We are interested not only in the famous / infamous – and there were a few of those down the years - but also in the lives and times of all our people. The Committee would also like to receive submissions and news items for our website. Items and artefacts are also welcome for our heritage collection. 

The organisation is yours, the committee are but facilitators. It needs your help, advice and involvement to make it an organisation worthy of such a renowned clan. We need you to take this site as your own because it belongs to you and all of us if we have an interest in the Gallagher story.

 Note: Every effort has been made to make sure that everything on this site is as it should be. Please e-mail postmaster@gallagherclan.org if you find that that is not the case.

Member of the Guild of One-Name Studies

Member of the Clans of Ireland