The Sheridan Clan gathering - 2001
The Sheridan Clan Gathering 2001 took place over the weekend of 28th-30th September 2001, in Granard, the ancestral home of the Sheridan clan. As in the past, the venue for the international celebrations was Hourican’s Hotel in Main Street.
This year the Gathering honoured the illustrious Sheridan family from Aughakine, whose leader is Francie Joe Sheridan, the President of the Sheridan Clan.
Overseas Sheridans came from as far afield as Argentina, USA, and Britain. Maura Olmos Sheridan from Buenos Aires, visiting the Clan for the first time, had the happy experience of discovering her ancestral home and cousins in the Mount Nugent area on County Cavan within a few hours of her arrival in Granard.
 Cheese and Wine
The event kicked off on Friday evening with a cheese and wine reception party, where the numerous assembled Sheridans made new introductions, and renewed old acquaintances.
Father Gene Sheridan, the President’s nephew from New York, spoke about his family and his work various parts of the USA, and in his present ministry in Brooklyn, New York. Brooklyn is very close to the site of the Trade Centre Twin Towers in Manhattan, and Father Gene’s parishioners were much affected by the recent disaster. The Sheridan Clan was most fortunate that Father Gene was able to make his first visit to this year’s Gathering.
There then followed the ceremony of the handover of the chain of office from the outgoing Chief Francis Sheridan, Foxrock, Dublin, to the new Chief, Pat Sheridan, Granard.
Talk
On Saturday morning, Father Kelly gave an in-depth historical talk on the subject of the town of Granard, its history and its people. His vast knowledge on all aspects of Ireland’s history is truly amazing and how expertly he weaved Granards chequered past into the national picture. The assembled audience listened spell bound as he related the story of Granard through the ages.
The Sheridan clan is truly indebted to the Parish Priest of Granard for sharing his insights of our ancestral town with us.
On Saturday afternoon, Helen Sheridan presented a revised presentation on her namesake from the 19th century, Mrs Helen Sheridan-Blake, and the fabled ‘Blake Millions’, providing a different perspective on the topic, along with some new details.
There is no truth in the rumour that Helen is on the lookout for a large estate in the countryside !
Main event
The main event was the banquet on Saturday night. After an excellent dinner, the members of Francie Joe’s family regaled us with tales of their family.
There followed music and dancing into the wee small hours, enlivened by Jodie Sheridan’s splendid rendition of ‘The Gallant John Joe’ and other traditional songs. Seamus O’Dualing entertained us with wonderful solo on his mandolin, his songs, and recitations. Cormac Sheridan from Sligo sang and recited, mainly from W B Yeat’s works. Many other members of the Clan performed their party pieces to much applause and merriment.
The group ‘Night Fever’ provided the music for a good night’s dancing and prancing.
Mass
Sunday’s events commenced with the Clan Mass at St Mary’s, concelebrated by Father Gene, Father Frank Kelly and Father Seamus Connell. Father Gene enlivened the congregation with a spiritual number, ‘Rock my Soul in the Bosom of Abraham’.
The much talented soprano Michelle Sheridan sang during the Mass, with other Sheridans participating in the ceremony. Father Frank, as ever, made the Sheridans all feel very special and welcome.
AGM
After lunch, the AGM was held. The outgoing committee was unanimously re-elected and congratulated on their excellent work to date. They are: Pat Sheridan the Chairperson, Sister Joan Sheridan the Secretary, Maura Sheridan the Assistant Secretary, Rosie Sheridan the Treasurer, and Kay Sheridan-Cassidy the Public Relations Officer. The new elected Tanaiste is Helen Sheridan.
Eduardo Ramos-Sheridan reported on his successes in contacting other Sheridans in Argentina since the last Clan Gathering, and was confident that more Sheridans from South America will be joining the Clan.
Acknowledgment was expressed for the work of all members of the Committee. The committee also expressed their appreciation for the contributions to the weekend from Longford County Council, Ned Molloy (Super Valu, Granard), Gilbeys (Ireland Ltd), ‘The Longford Leader’, ‘The Longford News’, and Micheal and Greta Hourican and the staff of Hourican’s Hotel. It was proposed that the next Clan Gathering will take place on 26th , 27th and 28th September 2003.
There was a historical tour of Carriglas manor, and Jude Flynn gave a guided tour of Longford town.
The closing event on Sunday night was a variation on the old-style traditional ceile, consisting of informal presentations, recitations, story-telling, songs, and some comic turns, with everyone participating with gusto. Again Michelle Sheridan was the star performer.
The consensus was that this gathering was most successful, and all agreed that they can hardly wait for September 2003
|
