Celebrating three decades of Farrell Clan in Longford

In 1991 Margaret Dockery and Mary Kelly were both living in County Roscommon. They placed an article in The Longford Leader with the intention of forming a Farrell Clan in Longford as they themselves were both from Farrell families.

The very first meeting was held in The Annaly Hotel, Main Street, Longford Town. The two ladies were pleased by the enthusiastic turnout of Longford Farrells’ and a very inspiring evening was had by all who attended.

The purpose of the clan formation was to reach out to the descendants of the Clan who had left Ireland and to invite them back to their homeland. After the initial meeting and subsequent meetings a Farrell Clan committee was formed.

International Farrell clan rallies were held and local events annually within Ireland. From Galway to Sligo, Bunratty Castle to Dail Eireann just to name a few, most recently to Inchclaraun island in Lough Ree.

Margaret and Mary gave valuable support to the clan down the years since and have attended many rallies and other events relating to The Farrell Clan.

In 1993 Conal O’Ferrall from Camlisk was inaugurated as Farrell Clan Chieftain at the First International Longford Farrell Clan Rally.

Conal has held that position for 30 years. Conal can trace his lineage back to Keadagh Mac Connell O’Ferrall who was granted the lands of Camlisk More and Camlisk Beg in 1620. He was a popular and unanimous choice for the role of chieftain.

From the time of his inauguration, he and his wife Rose have presided over nine International Farrell Clan Rallies in County Longford and have represented the clan and the county with distinction at home and abroad.

At the Farrell Clan A.G.M. in Abbeyshrule in 2022, Conal passed the role and honour of Chieftain to his daughter Charlotte. Charlotte stated that it was a great honour to be asked to take on the position of chieftain from her father Conal. We are sure that Charlotte will continue to perform the role with distinction.

Margaret also accompanied a Farrell Clan delegation led by Chieftain Conal and his wife Rose to Mexico on a visit to the official opening of the “Longford Castle” built by the Mexican branch of the O’Farrell’s in the year 2000. I think it can be said that the Farrell Clan will be forever indebted to their vision.

After the very successful rally in Longford in 1993, the committee published their first Farrell Clan newsletter. To date on Facebook, we have 5,000 members.

During the rallies which are held every four years, we organise visits to places of genealogical interest to our visitors some of whom travel from as far away as America, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Canada, Argentina, Malta, Spain, France, and England.

Our visitors enjoy viewing artefacts associated with their ancestors, visiting the county where the first Farrells originated and highlighting the links that have spread the name throughout the world.

During the Farrell Clan Rally 2018, a Rowan tree was planted in The Garden of Remembrance, Longford Town for all our deceased members including Mary Kelly and Margaret Dockery and the tree was officially inaugurated during our last rally in 2022. We would particularly like to acknowledge Mary Kelly’s and Margaret Dockery’s vision in forming the clan as without them it would not have happened.

The Farrell Clan Committee are particularly grateful to Longford County Council and wish to thank them most sincerely for the support throughout the years since. We would also like to extend thanks to Longford tourism for their excellent publications on Farrell Clan matters.

For anyone who wishes to make contact with us please visit us on Facebook Farrell Clan, website is www.farrellclan.ie

Chieftain Charlotte presided over the election of officers and the following were elected at the A.G.M. which took place on November 12, 2023.

Honorary Tanaisti Rose O’Ferrall, Tony Farrell, Joe Maguire, Nuala O’Kane, John Ferrell & Mel Farrell.
Chairman Robert Farrell, Vice-Chair Herbert Farrell, Secretary Kathleen O'Farrell, Assistant Secretary Jasmine Buckley, PRO Fionnuala Farrell, Treasurer John C Farrell, Assistant Treasurer Hugh Farrell. International Liaison Officers Pat Farrell & Mary Farrell. Clans of Ireland delegate John C. Farrell.

Caption: The Farrell Clan committee 2022: John C Farrell, Nuala O’Kane, Charlotte O’Ferrall, Rose O’Ferrall, Conal O’Ferrall, Hugh Farrell, Robert Farrell, Kathleen Buckley and Fionnuala Farrell