TYRONE GAA greats Peter Canavan, Stephen O’Neill, Owen Mulligan, and Gerard Cavlan have been made honorary members of the Ancient Clan O’Neill and the Cineál Eoghain.
Dan O’Neill, who heads the Clan O’Neill, and Mairtin O'Meallain, chair of the Cineál Eoghain, are delighted to have them on board and pointed out that these sportsmen are the modern-day equivalent of the Gaelic warriors of old and have inspired and continue to inspire young people to take up sport.
O'Meallain explained that the Cineál Eoghain are a historically significant population group containing more than 100 Ulster surnames and many other associated names.
Their territory stretched from Inishowen in Donegal through counties Tyrone, Derry, and Armagh. The Council of the Cineál Eoghain was launched after years of planning at the Samhain/Halloween festival in Greencastle this year.
The modern Council of the Cineal Eoghain has a number of clear objectives:
To research, preserve and promote the history, culture and traditions of the Cineal Eoghain;
To celebrate the achievements of the people of the Cineal Eoghain past and present;
To act as Registrar for any group of people who have Cineal Eoghain surnames or connections to the Cineal Eoghain and wish to set up or promote a modern clan. All clans will be treated as equals regardless of historic sept/sub sept structures;
To resurrect and run the four Gaelic fire festivals of Imbolc, Bealtaine, Lughnasa, and Samhain to reconnect our diverse peoples with their past.
To create a network among the Cineal Eoghain diaspora worldwide to achieve the stated objectives.
For those who would like to register a modern clan, the registrations will begin in January 2017 and is opened to all surnames interested in starting a clan; the only rule is you need three or more people holding the same surname to register.
For more info check out their Facebook page or email ancientclanoneill.com at oneillsofulster@yahoo.co.uk
