THE KELLY CLAN ASSOCIATION

SUMMER NEWSLETTER No. 65

DON’T FORGET KELLY CLAN GATHERING

19-21 MAY 2017

At the Armada Hotel, Spanish Point, Co Clare

Photo by Simon Horstead of a beautiful sunset taken close to the Armada Hotel

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Letter from your EditorHello All Well, as I write this in late July the weather is more like November! Ireland has had a bad run of weather since the heatwave they enjoyed in May. Never mind, as they say in West Clare, “you get what you

get” and “bright side out”! Talking of sayings, I have had a book of Irish proverbs for some years now and dip into it now and again just for fun. You will find a few of these in this newsletter.

It is with sadness that I have to tell you that one of our dearly loved members has died. John Kelly, Clonina, Cree, Co Clare RIP died on 23rd July. As many of you will know he was our Tanaiste, Joe Kelly’s brother. His presence at our Gatherings will be sadly missed and we offer our prayers and thoughts for his safe repose. Joe has written a fitting obituary for him which is included within this newsletter. I first met John in 1999 at the Kelly Clan Gathering held at the Bellbridge Hotel, Spanish Point, Co Clare, I was immediately taken with his quiet, unassuming, kind ways and although over the years I didn’t see him often, there was always the same welcoming hand to greet you. Rest in Peace John – we will miss you.

Plans are well in hand for the Gathering next year and it looks as if we are going to have a bumper attendance again with many of you already making your bookings. It is probably a good idea to book your hotel room sooner rather than later. We have earmarked a certain number of rooms for our guests and there are a few left. The cost of the hotel accommodation for the weekend is €169 pp sharing. The cost of a single room is €219. Additional nights can be booked at a cost of €50 pp a night. The cost includes breakfast each morning and an evening dinner on the Friday night. To take advantage of the deal offered to the Clan please email reservations@armadahotel.com and mark for the attention of Ylonah and don’t forget to mention “Kelly Clan weekend”. Please note that the deal is not available on their website.

The Council are delighted with the new look website www.kellyclans.comand we would love to hear your comments – good, bad or indifferent!

Mary KContact details: marykelly3010@gmail.com orclankellyinfo@gmail.com

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The Burren (Irish: Boireann, meaning "great rock") is a karst landscape in County Clare, Ireland. It measures approximately 250 square kilometres and is enclosed roughly within the circle made by the villages of Ballyvaughan, Kinvara, Tubber, Corofin, Kilfenora and Lisdoonvarna. The Burren National Park is one of six National Parks in Ireland and the smallest in size (15 km2).The Burren National Park Visitor Centre is located on Church Street in Corofin, County Clare, Ireland.

HISTORYBurren landscape with Galway Bay in the Background

The Burren area formed part of the territory of CorcoModhruadh, meaning "seed or people of Modhruadh" which was coextensive with the diocese of Kilfenora. At some point around the 12th century, the territory was divided in two: CorcoModhruadhIartharach ("Western Corcomroe") and CorcoModhruadhOirthearach ("Eastern Corcomroe") also known as Boireann which in the late 16th century became the

English administrative baronies of Corcomroe and Burren respectively. The O'Loughlin (Ó Lochlainn) clan ruled Boireann down to the mid-17th century from their chief residence at Gragans Castle (towerhouse not the house of the same name). The chief of the family was known in later times as the 'Prince of Burren' and clan members were buried in the family tomb near the altar of CorcomroeAbbey. Their kinsmen the O'Connor (Ó Conchubhair) clan ruled CorcoModhruadhIartharach from Dough Castle near Liscannor. The villages and towns found within the medieval territory of Boireann include Lisdoonvarna, Ballyvaughan, New Quay / Burrin (Burren), Noughaval, Bealaclugga (Bellharbour), Carron and Fanore / Craggagh.

The Burren is rich with historical and archaeological sites. There are more than 90 megalithic tombs in the area, portal dolmens (including Poulnabrone dolmen), a Celtic high cross in the village of Kilfenora, and a number of ring forts - among them the triple ring fort Cahercommaun on the edge of an inland cliff, and the exceptionally well-preserved Caherconnell Stone Fort. Corcomroe Abbey is one of the area's main scenic attractions.

GEOLOGY

GRIKES AND CLINTS RUN ALONG THE LIMESTONE PAVEMENTThe rolling hills of Burren are composed of limestone pavements with criss-crossing cracks known as "grikes", leaving isolated rocks called "clints". The region supports arctic, Mediterranean and alpine plants side-by-side, due to the unusual environment. The limestones, which date from the Visean stage of the Lower Carboniferous, formed as sediments in a tropical sea approximately 350 million years ago. The strata contain fossil corals, crinoids, sea urchins and ammonites.

Glaciation during the Quaternary period facilitated greater denudation. The result is that the Burren is one of the finest examples of a glacio-karst landscape in the world. The effects of the last glacialperiod (the Midlandian) are most in evidence, with the Burren overrun by ice during this glaciation. The impact of earlier karstification (solutional erosion) has been eliminated by the last glacial period. So any surface karstification now seen dates from approximately 10,000 years ago and the Burren karst is thus recent. Solutional processes have widened and deepened the grikes of the limestonepavement. Pre-existing lines of weakness in the rock (vertical joints) contribute to the formation of extensive fissures separated by clints (flat pavement like slabs). The rock karstification facilitates the formation of subterranean drainage.

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CLIMATE AND AGRICULTUREThe Burren has an unusually temperate climate. Average air temperatures range from 15 °C in July to 6 °C in January. The soil temperature does not usually drop below 6 °C (end 2010 recorded a very unusual prolonged period of snow). Since grass will grow once the temperature rises above 6 °C, this means that the Burren (like the neighbouringAran Islands) has one of the longest growing seasons in Ireland or Britain, and supports diverse and rich plant growth. Late May is the sunniest timeand also likely the best time to view flowers, with the gentians and avens peaking (but orchid species blooming later).

During counter-guerrilla operations in The Burren in 1651-52, Edmund Ludlow stated, "(Burren) is a country where there is not enough water to drown a man, wood enough to hang one, nor earth enough to bury him...... and yet their cattle are very fat; for the grass growing in turfs of earth, of two or three foot square, that lie between the rocks, which are of limestone, is very sweet and nourishing."

FLORA AND FAUNAThe Burren is renowned for its remarkable assemblage of plants and animals. The region supports many rare Irish species, some of which are only found in this area.Others occur in similar karst areas in western Ireland.

Three quarters of Ireland's species of flowers are found in the Burren. The grikes (crevices) provide moist shelter, supporting a wide range of plants including dwarf shrubs. Where the surface of the pavement is shattered into gravel, many of the hardier Arctic or Alpine plants can be found, when the limestone pavement is covered by a thin layer of soil, patches of grass are seen, interspersed with herbaceous plants. Among the flowers recorded from the Burren is the spring gentian, an alpine plant with bright blue flowers that are used as a symbol for the area by the tourist board. The Irish orchid (Neotineaintacta) and bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum) also occur there.

Notable insects present in the Burren include the butterflies the pearl-bordered fritillary (Boloriaeuphrosyne), brown hairstreak (Thecla betulae), marsh fritillary (Euphydryasaurinia) and wood white (Leptideasinapis); the moths, the Burren green (Calamiatridens), Irish annulet (Gnophosdumetata) and transparent burnet (Zygaenapurpuralis); the hoverfly Dorosprofuges and the water-beetle Ochthebiusnilssoni. This last species is known from just five sites in the world, its type locality in northern Sweden and four marl lakes in the Burren.

The Burren is one of the main breeding areas in Ireland of the European pine marten.

CULTUREThe Burren has a long history of traditional Irish music. It is particularly known for the "West Clare Style" of concertina playing.

The above information was taken and edited from the Wikepedia page on The Burren. It may whet your appetite for further exploration if you have some days to spare around the time of the Gathering - Ed

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Contribution from Bernie Kelly:

HIDDEN GEMS AND FORGOTTEN PEOPLE

ATHY MUSEUM SOCIETY

REV. THOMAS KELLY

Thomas Kelly was the son of Judge Kelly of Ballintubbert, Athy. Ordained for the Church of England he was a popular preacher in Dublin Churches in the last decade of the 18th century. However, his tendency towards ‘Methodism’ prompted Archbishop Fowler of Dublin to prohibit him from preaching anywhere in the Dublin diocese. Thomas Kelly left the Church of England, as did his friend and close associate John Walker who went on to found the Walkerites, while Thomas Kelly gathered about him followers who became known as the Kellyites.

A man of independent means, Thomas Kelly opened churches in Athy, Portarlington, Waterford and Dublin which operated outside the Established Church. A noted hymn writer he wrote more than seven hundred hymns which were published in five editions during his lifetime. Some of the Kelly hymns still used in church hymnals today include ‘We Sing the Praise of Him who Died’ and The Head that once was crowned with Thorns,’ He died in 1856 and is buried in the Churchyard of Ballintubbert Church just a few miles outside Athy.

FACEBOOK!

Please check out the page and “like and share” it. It is important that we get our name known in the bigger world. We have already attracted some new members through our page so please keep up the good work. The Facebook page is:

Kelly Clan AssociationMuintirUíCheallaigh

GET WELL WISHES - John “Cappawhite” Kelly We ask that you continue to remember John “Cappawhite” Kelly in your thoughts and prayers. John has undergone a major operation in the last few months. He is now on the way to recovery and we send him our very best wishes for his continuing good progress.

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John Kelly RIP

John Kelly was born on 13th August 1933 at Clonina, Cree, County Clare. He was the youngest son of a family of eight to Patrick Michael and Bridget Kelly. John was educated at Clohanbeg National School and afterwards at St Flannan's College, Ennis, Co Clare.  John made many friends at College to whom he always remained close. There were lots of stories to be told, the most memorable was:-“On one occasion, after ‘lights out’ in the dormitory John got out of bed and was having a chat further along the dormitory with a friend. It became apparent that the Discipline Master was on his rounds so John ran back to find a statue had been placed in his bed. He thought quickly and jumped up on the vacant plinth in the same position as the statue had been. Luckily the Master walked straight past him and he got away with it”. The story was told at the college for many years.  John gained his Leaving Certificate, but instead of going on to University, he took up farming on the family farm at Clonina which has been in the family for several generations. John’s great love was farming, and in particular, the animals; he always talked to them when feeding or walking past them! Jesse the farm’s dog and pet was always at his side or off working the cattle, sheep or cats. It was a great comfort for him to see his son Pat returning from America and settling into taking over the farming so very enthusiastically and successfully. Whilst in hospital recently he was overheard saying, with a satisfying smile – “Isn’t Pat a very good farmer?” On the 2nd June 1973, John married Philomena Killowery. They had a quiet wedding near Shannon Airport as they had planned to fly abroad for their honeymoon. John had a great fear of flying so after the wedding his bride suggested they went up to Connemara instead. John jumped at this suggestion gladly.The sun was shining on their first morning in Connemara, and later that morning Philomena said to him:-“Wouldn't you prefer to be doing something on the farm?” Hearing that, they checked out of the Hotel and went back home to Clonina!  John and Phyl were blessed with three lovely children, Mary, Pat and Ruth who were all very close to him, particularly during his illness.  John also had seven Grandchildren of whom he was incredibly fond, and who continually visited him until he sadly died. He had great interest in all of them and loved the torment and laughter they gave him. They were a great comfort and joy to him and when these little people came to visit it helped to while away the time he spent in bed. John played a big part in the local community, taking part in lots of local activities including Macra na Feirme, Question Time, acting in plays for which they won a number of national competitions, calling Bingo numbers and much more. He had a great love of golf and bridge, and he served as a very popular Captain of his Golf Club. It never seemed important to him to play to win, but he had a great gift of creating much fun when playing. One of their regular playing friends, a man who was short in stature, couldn't hit the golf ball very far so his friends agreed to let him play from the ladies tees.  John asked the lady Captain if she could find him a skirt! Some years ago our very rural National School was scheduled to be made redundant; sadly, the politicians and others seemed to be happy for this to happen.  One day John, the School Mistress and another interested lady drove up to Dublin and found the Department of Education.  They presented themselves at Reception and requested a

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meeting with the top man but they were told that there was a strict procedure to be followed and meetings had to be booked well in advance.  As the three of them left, John saw some stairs which he lead the other two up, they were apprehensive but he said 'let’s go up and see what happens’. On the next floor they saw a Priest coming out of an office and as the priest left, John excused and introduced himself to the man who turned out to be the gentleman they were looking for.  John asked for two minutes of the man's time. He put forward their case and the man thanked them and took note. In due course they received a letter saying that not only would their school, not be closed, but should the question ever arise again a full consultation would be triggered within the wider community. The school is now thriving and has acquired up-to-date equipment and sports facilities. Out of all things John did in his life, apart from having a family and running the farm, he said recently that being involved with saving the School was his proudest achievement, throughout all of his life. John took a great interest in our Muintir Ui Cheallaigh Clan and attended many of our Gatherings. He was always most interested and enjoyed hearing all the news on occasions he was unable to attend. He was always most supportive of all we attempted and achieved.  John was diagnosed with kidney failure some years ago which meant that he attended hospital for dialysis three times a week. There, John made great friends at the hospital and very much supported the Irish kidney Association.John was offered the chance of a kidney transplant, but declined, saying that a teenager should be given his place for this transplant! This was the measure of the generous and selfless giant of a human being he was! John sadly passed away after a long and brave battle on 23rd July 2016 at home, with his family around him.  The family kept John at home until the funeral so that friends and family could call and pay their respects.  At midnight on the day he passed away, those present participated in the Rosary at midnight as is customary. John was taken to the village church on 25th July where people continually filed into the Church, shaking hands and offering sympathy with each member of his family.  The following morning the funeral mass was celebrated by one of his best friends from College, Father Michael O’Grady, who was assisted by three more priest friends of John. The funeral was more than a mile long and he had two huge guards of honour; his golfing friends on one side of the road and his bridge playing friends on the other.  The funeral proceeded slowly to Knocknahilla cemetery, some eight miles away, stopping outside John’s home for a couple of minutes.  After prayers by Father O’Grady, a young lady neighbour played an old Irish air on the violin which was tear jerking but amazingly beautiful to experience. On both days the funeral was escorted by a police escort as a mark of respect for John.Go raibhDiatrocairearaainm 

JJ

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John pictured with his daughter Ruth

The Battle of the Somme – Contributed by Dr Joe Kelly On 1 July 1916, supported by a French attack to the south, thirteen divisions of Commonwealth forces launched an offensive on a line from north of Gommecourt to Maricourt. Despite a preliminary bombardment lasting seven days, the German defences were barely touched and the attack met unexpectedly fierce resistance. Losses were catastrophic and with only minimal advances on the southern flank, the initial attack was a failure. In the following weeks, huge resources of manpower and equipment were deployed in an attempt to exploit the modest successes of the first day. However, the German Army resisted tenaciously and repeated attacks and counter attacks meant a major battle for every village, copse and farmhouse gained. At the end of September, Thiepval was finally captured. The village had been an original objective of 1 July. Attacks north and east continued throughout October and into November in increasingly difficult weather conditions. The Battle of the Somme finally ended on 18 November with the onset of winter. In the spring of 1917, the German forces fell back to their newly prepared defences, the Hindenburg Line, and there were no further significant engagements in the Somme sector until the Germans mounted their major offensive in March 1918. The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916. The memorial also serves as an Anglo-French Battle Memorial in recognition of the joint nature of the 1916 offensive and a small cemetery containing equal numbers of Commonwealth and French graves lies at the foot of the memorial. The memorial, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, was built between 1928 and 1932 and unveiled by the Prince of Wales, in the presence of the President of France, on 31 July 1932. The dead of other Commonwealth countries who died on the Somme and have no known graves are commemorated on national memorials elsewhere.      When the battle of the Somme finished in the middle of November due to the ground freezing over. The total gain in territory was at most eight miles in depth in some areas, over about twenty of Front.

TheBattle of the Somme was the bloodiest battle in the history of mankind. The cost of the slight gain in territory was the lives of 615,000 allied soldiers. The German fatalities was estimated at 500,000.  Many Kellys (with their different spellings) lost their lives in this poorly thought out, badly planned and completely misjudged campaign. Others died subsequently of their wounds.

Editor’s note: You will find the complete article, with the names of those who died, compiled by Dr Joe, on our websitewww.kellyclans.com .

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Taken from the book “Ireland of the Proverb” by Liam Mac Con Iomaire

Nídhéanfadhandomhancapallrád’asalThe world would not make a racehorse of a donkey

Nílaontinteán mar do thinteánféinThere is no fireside like your own fireside

Níghabháil go lánseolagusníballa go huillinnYou are not a full fledged sailor unless you have sailed under full sal, and you have not built a wall unless you rounded a corner

Níneart go cur le chéileThere is not strength without unity

Níheolas go haontíosYou must live with a person to know a person

BíonndháinsintarscéalagusdháleagandéagaramhránThere are two sides to every story and twelve versions of a song

BéarfaidhbóéiginláéiginSome cow will give birth to some calf some day

Bíonnsúil le muir ach níbhíonnsúil le tírThere is hope from the sea but there is no hope from the land [grave]

Mol an óigeagustiocfaidhsíPraise the young and they will blossom

I hope you like this small selection taken from the book. I will feature more in future newsletters. My favourite is the one about two sides to every story and twelve versions of a song! – Ed

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THE TOWN OF KELLEY, IOWA, USA

Fun info from Judy Kelly-Fausch

I'm attaching pictures taken when Mary Helen and I visited the Kelley Phone Booth.  Kelley is just a few miles from Huxley, Iowa.  There's also a review of the booth written by Billy Max.  I have also read that sometimes citizens of Kelley notice people hanging around the booth and call the number to welcome them to their town.  Kind of unique.

Years ago, I taught at the school (now torn down) just around the corner from the phone booth.  I think of me as Judy Kelly Fausch but I used to receive inter-school mail addressed to Judy Fausch-Kelley.  Always kind of threw me.

Kelley Iowa Phone Booth 515-769-2481

Article by Billy Max

About 6 miles south of Ames,Iowa and just west of HWY 69 is the town of Kelley, Iowa, population 320 in 2008. Setting on the corner of Giddings and Grace Streets is one of the last working phone booths. The plexiglass booth with red panels and a bi-fold door is maintained by the local phone cooperative, Huxley Communications, the owner of the booth. Cost of the maintaining the line is about $20/month for the small town of Kelley. The booth, 33-3/4 inches square, a little more than 7 feet tall, is at least 50 years old.

This relic from the 1950s has become the town’s greatest attraction. A shelter is being built next to the phone booth to accommodate a 15-foot-long mural by a local artist, Dick Shook.

Last year, Huxley Communications personnel started a Face Book page for the phone booth. Currently there are 1,226 followers on the Face Book, 4 times the population of the town!

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Interesting stuff from Aidan Kelly on our DNA Programme

USING DNA TO FIND OUT WHICH KELLY LINE YOU ARE

The Kelly DNA study has tested more than 500 Kelly men to find out the DNA signature of their paternal line. The results show there are many different Kelly lines including: the Uí Maine Kellys, the O'Brien Kellys, the McCarthy Kellys, the Niall Kellys, the Clan Colla Kellys, the Irish Sea Kellys, the Ely Carroll Kellys, the Scottish Cluster Kellys, the Viking Kellys and range of these and other lines that are now spread across the continent and the colonies. If you want to know which Kelly line is yours please join the Kelly DNA Study. Because we now have a fairly large data pool your results are likely to match an already identified Kelly line. We will help interpret your results, confirm which Kelly line is yours and link you up with your closest genetic cousins. The simplest way to start is to order a 37 marker test from Family tree DNA (www.familytreedna.com) (the cost is $137). The test-kit arrives by post and you will need to take a cheek scrape sample from the male Kelly that you want to test. Send the sample kit back to the USA for analysis and the results are posted via the internet (usually within 8- 12 weeks). The results will reveal your Kelly line and help us to link lost families together. In some cases more testing is available to pin-point more exact matches. This note is sponsored by a group of Uí Maine Kellys who are working to expand the Uí Maine Kelly DNA data pool and untangle the various lines of the past Uí Maine chiefs such as Teige Kelly (of the Battle of Clontarf), Domhnall (of the Crusades) and William Boy O'Kelly (of Galey Castle Knockcroghery and the O’Kelly Welcome – Failte Ui Ceallaigh). The group has decided to sponsor further DNA testing of some Uí Maine kits that show promise in revealing or confirming the DNA lines of the Uí Maine Kellys (which includes people with surnames other than Kelly such as the Egans, Keoghs, Larkins, Maddens, Shannons and Trainors.

For more details please email: aidan.kelly@iinet.net.aue

Note from Ed: It’s great to have contributions from our members, please send news, views, etc. on anything you think interesting to marykelly3010@gmail.comIt makes my job easier too!!

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2017 KELLY CLAN GATHERING BOOKING FORM

Please reserve ……….. places at the Kelly Clan Gathering for the weekend of 19-21 May 2017 at

€ 115.00 p/p [€105 if booked before 1 April 2017]

Name [s] ………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………

Address …………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………

Phone Numbers …………………………………………………………………

Post to: Bernie Kelly, “Aisling”, Tyrone, Kilcolgan, Co GalwayCheques to be made payable to Kelly Clan Association

If you have a PayPal account you can pay direct to clankellyinfo@gmail.comPlease make sure you add your name to the details so that we know who has booked!

Please note: 'Any Clan Member who wishes to have business put before the Clan Assembly shall notify the Clan Council of such intent together with a summary of such business at least 30 days before the commencement date of the proposed Clan Gathering, and notify the Clan Secretary accordingly

(e mail: clankellyinfo@gmail.com)

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