McCarthys Celebrate Over a Century of Clan History

Noreen Kerins (left) and Maureen Coffey at the recent McCarthy Clan Gathering at Browne’s Bar in Castleisland. Photograph Gene McCarthy

Jer Walsh, Keith McCarthy, Siobhan O’Connell and Liz McCarthy at the recent McCarthy Clan Gathering at Browne’s Bar in Castleisland. Photograph Gene McCarthy

Sisters, Eileen Greaney (left) and Noreen Kerins at the McCarthy Clan Gathering at Browne’s Bar in Castleisland. Photograph Gene McCarthy

DD (left) and Seamus Kerins with Seanie Hickey, Patrick Kerins and Denny Greaney at the McCarthy Clan Gathering at Browne’s Bar in Castleisland. Photograph Gene McCarthy

Enjoying the recent McCarthy Clan Gathering at Browne’s Bar in Castleisland were:John (left) and Rachel McCarthy with Gene McCarthy. Photograph Gene McCarthy

Maureen Coffey, Sheila, James and Donal McCarthy at the recent McCarthy Clan Gathering at Browne’s Bar in Castleisland. Photograph Gene McCarthy

*Members of the extended and Castleisland based McCarthy clan pictured at their recent gathering at Browne’s Bar, Castleisland.* **Front Row** from left: Caoimhe O’Connor, Maeve O’Grady,Leah Kelly, Tara Kerins, Louise O’Callaghan and Emily Kerins. **Second row:** Liz McCarthy, Gene McCarthy, James O’Connor, Peggie O’Grady, Maureen Coffey, Mary McCarthy, Eamon McCarthy, Seamus Kerins and June McCarthy.Third row: Daire O’Grady, Sean O’Grady, Aine O’Grady, DD Kerins, Yvonne Kerins, Siobhan O’Connell, Grainne O’Connor, Eileen McKenna, Laura McKenna, Amy Cahill, Magaret O’Grady, Seanie Hickey, Noreen Kerins, Patrick Kerins, Ellie Greaney, Eileen Greaney, April Kerins, Mary Hobbert and Clodagh Kerins. **Fourth row:** Margaret McCarthy, Mary McCarthy, Sean McCarthy, Mary McCarthy, Patrick McCarthy, Emily Cahill, Denny Greany, Cathy Cahill and John Cahill. **Back row** from left: Donal McCarthy, John McCarthy, Shellagh Moloney, Rachel McCarthy, Margaret Walsh, Adele McCarthy, Geraldine McCarthy, Donna Dennehy, Eugene McCarthy, Sarah Madden, Sheila McCarthy, Keith McCarthy, James McCarthy, Ger Walsh, Conor O’Grady, James O’Grady, Liam Dennehy, Mark McKenna and Oisin Hegarty. *Missing from the Photo: Margaret McCarthy, Donie Coffey and J.D. Moloney. Photograph: John Reidy 16-2-2019*

Three generations of the extended McCarthy family from Castleisland rolled back over a century of family history when they hosted a family reunion in Browne’s Bar on Saturday night 16th February 2019.

More than 80 people attended the special event where stories, family folklore and memories were shared in a night of nostalgia.

The younger members of the clan learned at first hand their roots and the generations that laid the foundations for their success.

The Family Wall

A feature of the night was the family wall depicting photographs, family histories and memorabilia linking the various strands of the extended McCarthy families. This was designed by Gene McCarthy from Dromtrasna, Castleisland.

The event was organised by Maureen McCarthy (Coffey) from Tullig along with Eamon McCarthy, now living in Killarney.

Meet and Greet

“The idea initially came about in various conversations with Peggie O’Grady from Barrack Street, the ancestral home of the McCarthy’s. Over the years she was keen for the McCarthy’s to meet at one location where we could trace our roots, meet and greet new members of the family and hand down our history to the younger generation.

This was eventually done and on that Saturday night we achieved this wish,” said Maureen.

Most Senior Member

Fittingly, Peggie at 76 years, was the most senior member of the McCarthy’s on the night and she was in huge demand as she traced the family history for the younger generations and she recalled her youth in Castleisland and the dramatic changes she has seen in the town she loves.

The youngest member there on the night, Ellie Greaney was just 18 months old with all ages in between enjoying the gathering.

Two-Week Seán is the Youngest

The youngest member of the clan at present is Seán Aodhrán Kerrigan. However, at less than two weeks old he was not at Browne’s on the night.

“Apart from the McCarthy’s that live locals in Castleisland, Tralee and Killarney, we also had people from Mayo, Dublin and Rockchapel attending the function. All were in agreement that this function should be hosted every few years to enable us to keep in touch and welcome new additions to the family,” Maureen added.

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