Proud Laois clan gathers to elect new Chieftan
An ancient Irish clan tradition is alive and well in Laois, at least for one historic family.
The Lalor clan is back in action at last after a long break during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Lalors are one of the great family clans from Laois history, the Seven Septs of Laois. Now dispersed all over the world, they continue to honour their history by gathering and choosing their Chieftan or chairperson.
Delegates from all over Ireland, England and the United States came to Laois to enjoy a big weekend at the Manor Hotel recently, with business and entertainment on the agenda.
The first gathering in three years attracted a large attendance for the Lalor Annual General Meeting.
There were some changes with the election of a new chairman following the resignation of Kevin Lalor Fitzpatrick who was forefront in the clan for many years.
Pat has undertaken to dedicate his term of office to expand the clan membership at home and abroad. He said that the availability of modern means of communications means the clan can reach far and wide in search of new members.
There were reports from the other officers and wishes for a speedy recovery were extended to Clan Treasurer, Paddy Lalor who was indisposed in hospital.
The following officers were elected: Chairman Pat Lalor; Vice-Chairman PJ Lalor; Secretary Mary Lalor O’Mahony; Asst Sec Mary Lalor Carmody; Treasurer Paddy Lalor; Asst treasurer Mary Lalor O’Mahony; Email Operators Mary Lalor Carmody and Mary Lalor McKenna; Web Operator Stuart Lalor.
Following the AGM the members enjoyed a social evening with finger food and music by Joe Coogan. On Saturday the annual outing was to Castlecomer Discovery Park and a tour of the now disused mines which proved to be very informative.
The annual banquet took place on Saturday night in the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel and this was followed by the election of the new Clan Chieftain. There were five candidates for the position and following the election Joe Lalor, Castlecomer was declared
the new head of the clan for 2023 and following a robing ceremony he was led into the banquet hall to a rousing welcome by a piper.
The new chieftain thanked his proposers and those who voted for him and he promised to uphold the high standards of those who, before him, had been honoured with the title of Clan Chief. He added that it was his ambition of reach out to the greater Lalor fraternity so as to increase the membership of the clan. The night continued with dancing to the music of Solitaire and performers Joe and Phyllis were praised as being at their usual best for the evening.
The weekend culminated with an ecumenical service in Nuns’ Chapel in Abbeyleix conducted by Parish Priest Fr Paddy Byrne who wished the clan every success in the future.