Gathering HQ: Westlodge Hotel

Room block at the hotel: when contacting Reservations: mention O’Donovan Gathering

From 12:00 Noon on:

Registration/Gathering Kickoff Reception

Westlodge Hotel, Bantry

Genealogical table and storyboards will be set up, so bring your family stories and trees!

Volunteer genealogists will be on hand

Lectures: TBD

Evening get-togethers in hotel and local pubs

Day Tours, Excursions and Activities

Options include:

• Distillery and Blarney Castle Tour
• Day Tour of Clonakilty
• Skibbereen Foodie Tour
• Sheep’s Head Peninsula Hike
• Kinsale Lunch Tour
• Glengarriff and Garnish Island Garden Tour
• Hike to Mizen Head Peninsula Lighthouse with Lunch at O’Sullivan’s, Crookhaven.

More information on above trip options will be forthcoming!

10:00 AM

Famine tour and talk provided by Cathal O’Donovan at Abbeystrewry Graveyard, Skibbereen. Site of burial pits with the remains of 8,000-10,000 area famine victims from the 1840s.

We will pay our respects by and leave a gift in memory of all those who perished during the Famine (programme repeated on Friday AM)

Afternoon/evening
Whiskey tasting at Westlodge Hotel if enough people sign up

Afternoon/evening
Meetups in local pubs with music

Other Activities TBD**

9:30-1:00

Bantry Farmers Market in the town centre. Self-guided strolls for food and crafts; visit local shops & galleries until 5:00PM

10:00 AM

Famine tour and talk at Abbeystrewry Graveyard in Skibbereen. (Repeat of Thursday programme.)

12:00 noon

Castle walk and opening of Castledonovan (possible group photo to follow)

1:00 – 4:00 PM and later

Outdoor Barbecue event at Top of the Rock Pairc in Drimoleague. Featuring traditional Irish music, fireside storytelling, singalongs and possible Irish dance lessons 

Lectures possibly at the Pairc

Evening Meetups in local pubs

11:00-12:30
Skibbereen Heritage Tour from Heritage Centre

Guided walks through the Drimoleague walking paths.

Guided tour of Drombeg Stone Circle Archeological site(Time and meeting place TBD)

Possible afternoon walking tour of Bantry

5:00 PM
Formal dinner(s) in Bantry with music and dancing.
Westlodge Hotel for first 325 ticket holders. Possible secondary site for overflow attendees – TBD when all Westlodge tickets are sold.
Ticket information and Reservations – contact Westlodge Hotel.

Possible final gathering in Bantry town square, with music and Irish dancers.

Ferry rides from Bantry and get-together with music provided at Whiddy Island.

Slan abhaile – Safe journey home!