Gathering HQ: Maritime Hotel, Bantry

11:00 AM until 5:00 PM:  Registration

3:00 -5:00 PM

Gathering Kickoff Reception. Casual meet and greet at the Hotel.

11:30 AM -3:45 PM:  Excursion by ferryboat from port of Bantry to Whiddy Island. Purchase tickets from tour operator.

2:00-4:00 PM: Tour of Bantry House & Afternoon Tea.  Sold out. 

5:00-7:00:  Lecture “Challenges” by Frank O’Donovan from BMDnotices; sharing of diaspora stories. For registered attendees. Individual tickets are also available in the Add-on tab of our Eventbrite page:  https://bit.ly/BuyTickets_OD2023

7:30 PM: Welcome by Teige O’Donovan, Chief of the Name. Maritime: Garnish conference room.

Evening: Pub meetups in Bantry. Music at the Quays Bar, Wolfe Tone Square, Bantry.

9:00-10:30

Lecture by Miriam O’Donovan titled “History of the O’Donovan Clan in Gaelic Ireland” at the Maritime Hotel. For registered attendees.  Tickets are also available in the Add-on tab of our Eventbrite page: https://bit.ly/BuyTickets_OD2023

12:30

Tour at Skibbereen Heritage Centre, followed by famine talk by Cathal O’Donovan at Abbeystrewry Cemetery, site of mass graves of 8,000-10,000 area famine victims from the 1840s.

We will pay our respects and leave a floral tribute in memory of all those who perished during the Famine.

For registered attendees. 

3:00-6:30

BBQ at Top of the Rock, Drimoleague, with hilltop view of Castle Donovan —music by David O’Donovan from Cork Floyd, storytelling by Conor O’Buachalla from Gormu, and talk by Gerard Corcoran: “Establishing a Clan Trust”. Advance tickets required.

7:00 – meet-up at the Drimoleague Inn with traditional music.

Ticket information and BBQ Reservations on our Eventbrite Ticket Page.

Bantry Market takes place in Wolfe Tone Square on Fridays, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. Self-guided strolls for food and crafts; visit local shops & galleries until 5:00PM.

9:00-10:30: Lecture by Miriam O’Donovan titled “Dr. Dan O’Donovan”  at the Maritime Hotel. For registered attendees.  Tickets are also available in the Add-on tab of our Eventbrite page:  https://bit.ly/BuyTickets_OD2023

11:30 – 12:45: Lecture “From Africa to West Cork” by Mark Grace at the Maritime. For registered attendees. Individual lecture tickets are also available in the Add-on tab of our Eventbrite page:  https://bit.ly/BuyTickets_OD2023

1:15 – 5:00:  Excursion to Garinish Island – €‎35, includes ferryboat ride and admission to Gardens. Purchase tickets from tour operator.

2:00 PM: Visit to Bantry Yarns for O’Donovan knitters & crocheters. Featured patterns and hand-dyed yarns from Irish designers.

Evening: Local pub meetups

 9:00 – 10:30 AM: Lecture – “Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa 1831 – 1915” by Gabriel Doherty, School of History, UCC.

12:00-1:00 PM: Lecture -Irish Family History by Ann Marie Coghlan.

2:00-5:00 PM: Family Research Workshop with Ann Marie Coghlan.

For registered attendees. Individual lecture tickets are also available in the Add-on tab of our Eventbrite page:  https://bit.ly/BuyTickets_OD2023

6:00 PM: Clan Banquet at Maritime Hotel with Traditional Irish Music by Rubicon. Advance tickets required. See the Add-ons tab on our Eventbrite page.

Ticket information and Reservations on our Eventbrite Ticket Page.

Sunday services at area churches.

9:00-10:30: Lecture by Dr. Penny Walters “Demystifying DNA with a Paper Trail”. For registered attendees. Individual lecture tickets are also available in the Add-on tab of our Eventbrite page: https://bit.ly/BuyTickets_OD2023

11:00 AM: Farewell Brunch at Maritime Hotel

More ticket information and Reservations on our Eventbrite Ticket Page.

Slán abhaile – Safe journey home!

• Distillery and Blarney Castle Tour
• Day Tour of Clonakilty
• Skibbereen Foodie Tour
• Sheep’s Head Peninsula Hike
• Kinsale Lunch Tour
• Hike to Mizen Head Peninsula Lighthouse with Lunch at O’Sullivan’s, Crookhaven.

Donovans and O’Donovans are encouraged to independently plan meetups, walks and other activities as ‘fringe’ events during the Gathering. Such add-on activities will be listed in the Registration area at the Maritime Hotel.

Post your questions on the Clan O’Donovan Gathering Facebook page, or use the Contact Page here on the website to request information about the Gathering. We’re all looking forward to meeting family and friends at our 2023 O’Donovan Clan Gathering!