Members of ancient clan come home to Laois for annual gathering

Lalors, Lawlors and Lawlers all came together in Laois earlier this month for the annual gathering of the Lalor clan.

This unique event sees individuals with a connection to the Lalor, O'Leathlobhair, Lawler or Lawlor surname travel far and wide to celebrate the family’s ancient history and to elect a new chieftain for the year.

This year, the gathering took place at the Manor Hotel in Abbeyleix and a number of events were organised in its honour.

The events kicked off on Friday, July 10 with the re-election of the current Clan Chieftain, Sara McKenna Dunne, who ran opposed.

Following this, there was a fascinating talk on human rights which was delivered by author James Loughran. During this talk, he spoke about the transplantation of the members of the Seven Septs of Laois to the Tarbert area of North Kerry and the hardship endured by these people.

The night then finished up with music by Joe Coogan.

Saturday, July 11 was a busy day which commenced with a visit to Lalors Mills, which was where the infamous Treaty was signed to send the members of six of the Seven Septs of Laois to the Tarbert area of Kerry.

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It took some time and persuasion to get the clans to sign the treaty but in the end it was only six that signed. The O’Doran clan were not present at the meeting at Lalor’s Mills.

David O’Brien, Principal of the Heath National School, welcomed everyone to the venue and he then gave a talk outlining the political, social and domestic climate of the times and the attitude of the English to what they termed the “Irish Rebels” who were constantly harassing the settlers.

Mr. O’Brien told the group that those who were transplanted to North Kerry were the Moores, Kellies, Lalours, Dorans, Clandeboys (McEvoys) and the Dowlings.

The next part of the tour brought the group to the ancient Dysart graveyard and Church, of which, only the walls are left standing. The tour guide at this venue was Paddy Lalor from Ballycarroll.

This area is central to the O’Lalor ancestral lands. It was at Dysart that the O’Lalors had their castle.

Paddy, who has been a member of the Lalor clan from its inception and treasurer for over 30 years, included the ruins of two more churches on his tour, Kilteel and Killeen.

The group then went back to Treacys of The Heath for refreshments.

To top off the night, the group returned to the Manor Hotel in Abbeyleix for the annual banquet. Colum Sands entertained the group with a brilliant storytelling session, while Adrian Ryan provided the music.

In keeping with tradition, there was an ecumenical service on Sunday morning, July 12 in Killermough Church conducted by Rev Canon Patrick Harvey and the proceedings ended later that day with a farewell lunch in the Manor Hotel.

It was planned for the clan to host their AGM during the weekend event, however it could not go ahead as many of the elderly members could not travel during the heatwave. The date of the AGM will be announced soon.