McManus Heritage
Fourth McManus Clan Gathering — 1998
A special commemorative gathering in Fermanagh honouring Cathal Óg Mac Maghnusa, with a lecture, memorial unveiling and clan banquet.
An Ceathrú Chruinniú Clainne, Bliain 1998
Special Commemorative Gathering
The fourth McManus Clan Gathering honoured Cathal Óg Mac Maghnusa, compiler of the Annals of Ulster, marking 500 years since his death. A Fermanagh subcommittee organised the weekend. This account comes from the historical clan website material supplied for the archive.
Friday, 14 August — welcome in Derrylin
The gathering opened at 8.00 p.m. at the Mountview Hotel, Derrylin, with traditional Irish music, song, dance and humorous storytelling by Patsy O’Hagan. Finger sandwiches, sweets and tea accompanied the welcome evening.
New members came from as far away as Brazil and Illinois, USA, alongside visitors from several counties of England and Ireland.
Saturday, 15 August — Cathal Óg and the Annals of Ulster
Members assembled at 11.00 a.m. at the Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen. Nollaig O Muraile spoke about the life and times of Cathal Óg Mac Maghnusa, drawing on the writings of Aubrey Gwinn.
The subcommittee presented a specially bound set of the newly reprinted Annals of Ulster to the Fermanagh County Museum, together with a list of sponsors who had contributed £100 towards the books and the commemorative monument.
Rob Davison and James Davidson, representing the North of Ireland Family History Society, were available to answer questions about genealogy and family history.
Memorial at Bellisle
After a light lunch provided by Fermanagh District Council, members boarded coaches for Bellisle, described in the account as Cathal Óg’s birthplace.
A short tour preceded the unveiling of a stone memorial honouring Cathal Óg Mac Maghnusa. The plinth stood at the foot of Fort Hill, at the entrance to the manor house. A time capsule beneath it contained the names of those who sponsored the memorial.
The monument remained a topic of conversation during the return coach journey.
Dinner at Mahons Hotel
The evening continued with a social hour at 8.00 p.m. at Mahons Hotel, Irvinestown. Clan Secretary Brian McManus of Aughakillymaude, County Fermanagh, served as master of ceremonies and welcomed both first-time and returning attendees.
Members observed a few moments of silence for those killed and injured in Omagh, County Tyrone, earlier that day. The original account also expressed continuing prayers for everyone affected.
Father James Mac Manus offered a prayer of thanks and remembered those unable to attend, before dinner celebrating Cathal Óg’s life.
The menu began with a chilled melon fan and strawberry coulis, followed by vegetable soup and rolls. Guests chose roast turkey with dressing or roast rib of beef with chasseur sauce, accompanied by vegetables and potatoes. Baked Alaska or apple pie à la mode followed, with tea or coffee and mints.
Source and gathering series
Adapted from the supplied account of the fourth gathering on Phil McManus’s historical clan website. The account has been organised by day. Omagh’s county has been corrected from Fermanagh to Tyrone; the date and location of the bombing are documented by CAIN at Ulster University.