9:00 – 2:00 

Clonakilty Farmers’ Market

The seasonal Market takes place on Fridays in Clonakilty’s Emmet Square. One of West Cork’s most vibrant weekly outdoor markets, it features locally raised fruits and vegetables, baked goods, West Cork crafts, and more. 

10:30 – 12:00 

Private tour of Michael Collins House, Clonakilty.

His life in West Cork, and O’Donovans who inspired Michael Collins.

2:30 – 5:00 PM

Meet & mingle at Clonakilty Park Cinema

Screening of the acclaimed film “Rebel Wife”, a documentary on the life of Mary Jane Irwin, wife of Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa.

Special guest, filmmaker Williams Rossa Cole, great-grandson of Jeremiah and Mary Jane, will lead a Q&A discussion after the screening.

Evening on your own

Enjoy West Cork hospitality

Recommendations include O’Donovan’s Hotel, DeBarra’s (music), An Súgán Restaurant, other pubs in Clonakilty and environs.

9:00 -10:00 AM

Assembly Registration, The West Cork Hotel, Skibbereen

Tea & Coffee

10:00-11:30AM

O’Donovan Clan Cultural Association Business Meeting

Inaugural Annual General Meeting – Agenda TBA.  Members will receive advance copies of Agenda, Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.

12:00-1:15 PM

Concurrent Sessions:

(1) Genealogy: Panel: “Joys and Perils of DNA” ; Presenters TBA

(2) History: Brian Donovan, PhD: “Lineage, Loss and Survival: The O’Donovan Clan 1500 – 1700”

1:30 – 3:30 PM

Working buffet lunch:

“Roots & Wings” – Roundtable discussions on the past and future of the O’Donovan Clan. Topics include preservation of historic sites, emigrant support programs, fundraising and future group events.

3:30 – 4:30 PM

Concurrent Sessions II:

(1) Memory Exchange:
Bring family photos, letters, oral histories and ancestral lore to share as we launch the O’Donovan Digital Archive. Randa Phillips guides us in conserving family stories and artifacts.

(2) Topic TBA

4:30 – 5:00 PM

Tea, Cake and Conversation

5:00 – 6:30 PM

Local Activities:

– Hurling clinic  location TBA

– Walks in Skibbereen: Stop into O’Donovan’s Bookshop for books of local interest, or Field’s Market for West Cork-made gourmet items.

6:30 PM

Saturday Vigil Mass, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Skibbereen

O’Donovans of all faiths are welcome to attend the Mass to honor deceased ancestors and join in prayers for our family members worldwide.

Evening at your leisure

West Cork is the food capital of Ireland.

Explore the sophisticated culinary culture of Skibbereen or a neighboring town: Glandore, Rosscarbery, Ballydehob, Kinsale, Baltimore or Bantry.

– Advance booking is essential for many West Cork restaurants: Affinity groups will be forming for dinner reservations at a range of restaurants and pubs, or explore on your own from our list of casual and fine dining venues in the area.

8:30 AM

Morning Eucharist service

Abbeystrewry Church of Ireland, Skibbereen

10:00-10:30 AM

Assembly Day 2 Registration: the West Cork Hotel

Tea & Coffee

10:30-11:30 AM

Breakout Sessions:

Sustaining the Clan into the Future: feedback from workgroups, draft plans for future local and regional gatherings, the Roots & Wings Fund (development/fundraising), Board and Volunteer ideas.

11:30-12:30

Concurrent Sessions:

(1) “O’Donovan Rossa in Skibbereen”: A conversation with local historians, Finola Finlay and William Casey

(2) Memory Exchange II: Strategic planning for the 2025 launch of the O’Donovan Digital Archive.

1:00-3:00 PM

Sunday Lunch

Three course banquet dinner – menu choices TBA

Brief remarks by distinguished guests

Entertainment

4:30 – 5:30 PM

Castle Donovan

–Commemoration ceremony: 25th Anniversary of the 2000 O’Donovan Millennial Gathering

-Group Photo

6:30 PM

Evening pub session TBA

Gather with new friends & cousins; food available for purchase.

Slán abhaile !