Galway’s rich medieval landscape will once again echo with the footsteps of history this August, as the 2025 International Mannion Clan Gathering returns with a vibrant three-day programme celebrating the storied legacy of the ancient Ó Mainnín—or Mannion—Clan of East Galway. Set to take place from Friday 15th to Sunday 17th August, this twelfth annual reunion will see attendees from across Ireland and the wider global diaspora—including the United States, Canada, Australia, Latvia, and England—gathering to honour their roots and explore their shared heritage.
The highlight of this year’s gathering will be a day-long Heritage Week event on Saturday 16th August, which focuses on the origins, history, and enduring influence of the Mannion Clan in both East and West Galway. Organised by the Mannion Clan Association, the two-part event invites not just descendants, but also members of the general public and local community groups, to engage with a meticulously curated historical experience.
The morning will commence with a guided walking and driving tour of the Mannion Clan Historical Trail, beginning at 10.30 am in the car park of Frank Mannion’s Lounge Bar, Abbeyknockmoy (H54 RW94 ). This immersive exploration will trace the ancient landmarks and strongholds associated with the clan, including the castles at Killaclogher, Clooncurreen, and Menlough, each bearing silent witness to centuries of Gaelic power and tradition.
A particularly poignant stop on the tour will be Ramore ceremonial mound in Mullaghmore West, parish of Moylough. This site holds deep significance in clan lore as the location where, in May 1584, a Brehon law agreement was formalised between two leading branches of the Mannion Clan. The legal deed, crafted by a Mac Egan lawyer, is a rare example of indigenous Gaelic legal practice and is intricately tied to Ballymannion, a sub-townland also featured in the day’s itinerary.
The group will then visit Kilconnell Abbey, final resting place of the last recorded Chief of the Name—John son of Malachy Ó Mainnín—interred in a tomb dated 1648 alongside two of his kinsmen. The tour will conclude at the battlefield of Finnure, northeast of Loughrea, where in AD 1135, the Ó Mainnín king of Soghan met his end during a violent clash involving the powerful O’Connors of Connacht and the O’Kellys of Hy Many. By 5.30 pm, the group will return to Abbeyknockmoy, having journeyed through centuries of clan history.
Later that evening, from 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm, Thompson’s Lounge Bar in Menlough (H53 XY36 ) will host the second part of the day’s proceedings. This indoor event will see the launch of Phase 2 of the Mannion Clan Historical Trail StoryMap, an ambitious bilingual digital storytelling initiative funded by the Heritage Council under the Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2025. Attendees will be treated to a screening of newly produced videos and podcasts, presented in both Irish and English, detailing the clan’s cultural, archaeological, and historical legacy.
The event will also include a series of illustrated presentations showcasing the foundational roots and various branches of the Mannion Clan, with an emphasis on genetic genealogy. Presenters will draw from a wide array of DNA test results to map the evolution of the clan and its familial networks across Ireland and beyond.
The festivities will begin the previous evening, Friday August 15, at 7.00 pm in Thompson’s Pub, with a lively traditional music session by the ever-popular group Blasta, featuring Enda and Pat Mannion alongside Ronan Regan. This will be followed by a warm welcome from Cllr Michael Connolly and an official opening by Galway County Heritage Officer Marie Mannion. Dr Joe Mannion, the Clan’s historian, will deliver an illustrated talk on clan history, paving the way for a dazzling display of Irish and sean-nós dancing by champion dancer Meadhbh Ní Chualáin.
The final day, Sunday August 17, will offer a more relaxed, celebratory atmosphere as the ancestral village of Menlough plays host to the closing events. Festivities will begin with a special Clan Mass celebrated by Fr Colm Mannion OP, followed by a piper-led international clan parade. Families will then gather for a BBQ overlooking the remains of the Mannion chieftain’s castle.
The afternoon promises both entertainment and education with a Gaelic medieval arms and armour demonstration by Dave Swift of the Claoímh re-enactment group, alongside a traditional music session featuring Fr Colm Mannion, Alan Mannion, and Enda Fahy. The weekend will close with a heartfelt farewell ceremony, marking the conclusion of another memorable homecoming for the Mannion Clan.
This annual gathering not only reconnects far-flung kin, but also serves as an open invitation for anyone interested in Irish heritage and history to join in the celebration. All events are open to the public, and organisers warmly encourage everyone—regardless of surname—to take part in this unique exploration of Galway’s Gaelic past.
For more information or to get involved, email [email protected] or visit the StoryMap project online.
