A Hello from you Clann Headquarters:
You are of the Race of Connel, (Celtic: Cineal Conaill). Conaill was the leader of Tirconaill in the early 400's. This is the Irish name for present Donegal. That is only a start on knowing the History of this great Clann of the old Celtic Civilization. We have setup headquarters and have been recording the history and genealogy of O'Dochartaigh for the last 13 years. And, we have been doing it in the land of our origin. This has been a Clann endeavor, assisted by thousand of O'Dochartaigh.
We use the "Auld Irish spelling" as there is over 150 ways of spelling this surname. What does it mean? When did it come into use? What exact area of Tirconaill did we evolve out of? What is our ancient genealogy? Are we of Royal Blood? Hundreds of questions have popped up in your mind in your lifetime. Do you know who your great- grandfather was, where he was born, his travels and accomplishments?? We are slowly gathering all this massive amount of information.
We started in the states back in the 1960's. The Clann bought this headquarters in 1984, we took possession April, 1985 and have been greeting tens of thousands of Clann since. Your ancestor may not have left from Donegal. We have researched when and why Clann my have come out of other areas. We publish Newsletter, (no. 30 will be out soon), small Clann histories, (4 in all), a major work called: "O'Doherty, People and Places", (Finbarra, our Editor is putting the finishing touches to it today), we promote International Clann gatherings, (the 4th. in Ireland for the year 2000) and we have the greatest data-base of genealogy of any Clann in the world.
How and why do you fit in? What drives all of us involved? Why is Brian getting this message out on E-Mail? It is the PRIDE that we all possess in this powerful surname! Can you involve yourself and your family into the real reason why you are on this planet? This is something stronger than Nationality, stronger than Religion. We evolved before Christianity fully had taken over in old Ireland. Can you join with us and take this Irish name into the new millennium?
We are one of the oldest surnames in Christendom. Because of our early origin, we have many branches that you may not be aware of. Help us tell the story! We have a Chieftain, a Clann Herald, a Seanachie, several Sub-chiefs, an Editor and committees all over the world AND we are only beginning!!
Slainte, from your Headquarters on Inch Island, (formerly O'Dochartaigh's Island), The Inishowen, Co. Donegal, Ireland. Your Clann Herald, Padriac O'Dochartaigh at Ar nDutcas. Special thanks to Patrick and Clann HQ for this article.
Just for fun: Just for fun I have included some links for you to look at:
Did I miss something? If I missed something or if anyone has a story that you would like to send out, let me know about it by replying to this letter.This publication was compiled by Editor Brian Baker - bkbaker75@aol.com (Daugherty) in association with Clann O'Dochartaigh Headquarters, Inch House, Inch Island, Republic of Ireland.