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O'Neill Re-Union
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2nd Generation O'Neills
4 Generations - O'Neills
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The
final week-end of June saw the celebration of an O’Neill Re-union here
in Beara after some 10 months of organising and planning.
Descendants of the late Connie & Mary O’Neill, Coulagh West,
gathered from all over the world along with their families to re-unite and
get acquainted with their extended O’Neill family.
They travelled from New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Italy, France,
England
as well as the 4 corners of Ireland.
The
gathering got off to a start with a lovely meal at the Mariner Restaurant,
Castletownbere on Thursday night when the introductions began.
Friday saw a boat tour of the peninsula – from Castletownbere to
Ballycrovane, home to the late Mary O’Neill-McCarthy – in the charter
boat ‘Frenzy’.
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| Meanwhile a friendly O’Neill Golf Classic was underway at
Berehaven Golf Club, which was sponsored by Damien and Shane O’Neill,
grandsons of Nealie.
Later that evening was the highlight of the re-union, when Fr.
Mulvihill of Eyeries
celebrated
a family Mass at Cametringane Hotel with the 6 surviving members of
the 2nd generation attending.
These were Nealie O’Neill and Sheila Holland, both living in
Castletownbere, Anne Hartnett, Agnes Diffley and Frances O’Neill, who
settled in New York and Eileen O’Rourke who lives in Dublin. (pictured
above) Their
sister-in-law Mary O’Neill who resides in the home place at Coulagh
joined them (opening picture) along the children, grand-children and great
grand-children – bringing it to 121 people altogether.
It was the first time that the 2nd generation were all
together since they were children. Prayers were said for the
deceased members of the family and those who were absent.
Following the Mass everyone was treated to a wonderful meal at the
hotel – which was booked out for the occasion and the celebrations
afterwards went on into the early hours. There
were 4 generations of the one family present - Nealie O'Neill, his
son Terence, his grandson Damien and his great-grandsons Jack and Paddy
(pictured above) Nealies other sons and their familes were also
present. A presentation piece was made to each
family of either a painting of the house in Coulagh and surrounding area
– by local artist Brian O’Sullivan or a Cork Crystal Vase, etched
with the O’Neill Crest and a picture of the home.
Full
marks to Joe & Liz Harrington and their staff, especially their chef
James Cunningham for the excellent food and hospitality shown to everyone
during the week-end.
Next
morning, those who survived the night, headed off on minibuses to tour of
the Ring of Beara stopping off briefly at the homestead in Coulagh to say
hello. This was later
followed by a bar-b-que at the Hotel where the celebrations continued with
an excellent sing-song, ably accompanied by the resident chef, on
his accordion. Sadly, all
good things must come to an end and Sunday began the departures of some of
the people who attended. Some
of those who travelled from the US will remain on for a holiday and
already the preparations have started for the follow-up re-union – this
time to be held in New York – in 2005.
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Fri. Meal 1 |
Fri. Meal 2 |
Sat.1 following Bar-b-que |
Sat. 2 |
Sat. 3 |
Sat. 4 |
Sat. 5 with James on Accordion |
Sat.6 |
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