Mannions gather from around the world in Menlough
A weekend of sharing history and culture
PEOPLE travelled from America, Australia and Latvia for this year’s annual International Mannion Clan Gathering in Menlough.
This was the 13th event to take place in the Clan’s ancestral homelands of East Galway, in the vicinity of the village of Menlough, originally Mionlach Uí Mhainnín, ‘the little lough of the Mannions’.
Among those attending were members of the Mannion diaspora who had travelled from the USA, Australia, Latvia, England and many parts of Ireland.
Galway County Heritage Officer Marie Mannion officially opened the 2026 event in Thompson’s Lounge Bar in Menlough. Cllr Michael Connolly, representing the Ballinasloe Municipal District, welcomed the international assembly of the Mannion Clan to their ancestral village and homelands on behalf of Galway County Council.
The evening’s activities concluded with a demonstration of sean-nós and traditional Irish dancing by Meadhbh Ní Chualáin from Oughterard. Such was the delight of the audience with her performance that she received a rousing applause and a standing ovation!
An enthusiastic group of Clan Gathering guests assembled on the morning of Saturday, August 15 in Abbeyknockmoy, for a guided tour of The Mannion Clan Historical Trail led by Dr Joe Mannion. After an introductory talk on the ancient Lughnasa assembly site of Knockroe, the Cistercian Abbey of Knockmoy, and Killaclogher castle ruins, the group visited the Mannion castle site at Clooncurreen in the parish of Moylough.
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ATTENDEES at the 2026 Mannion Clan Gathering pictured at the site of the Mannion castle in the townland of Clooncurreen.Image 2 of 6
PIPER Gerry Broderick leading the international Mannion Clan parade into the Clan’s ancestral village of Menlough.Image 3 of 6
MANNION Clan Gathering attendees pictured at Ballymannion junction near the village of Menlough.Image 4 of 6
DR Lydia Mannion with her daughter Lucia Casey, pictured with her sister Sarah and her daughter Sofia Wehbi at the gathering.Image 5 of 6
AT the gathering was Proinsias Mag Fhionngaile, dressed in traditional Irish clothing, demonstrating the use of the two-handed claymore sword.Image 6 of 6
A GROUP photo of those who took part in the recent Mannion Clan heritage tour at the Ó Mainnín chieftain’s tomb in Kilconnell Abbey.The ceremonial and judicial assembly site of Ramore in the townland of Mullaghmore West, parish of Moylough, was next on the itinerary, where a Brehon law deed, now held in the Library of Trinity College Dublin, was drafted by a Mac Egan lawyer in May 1584 for the Ó Mainnín Clan.
The sub-townland of Ballymannion, which with the modern townland of Cloonmweelaun was the focus of the Ó Mainnín deed, was then visited, as was the Clan’s ancestral village of Menlough.
Next up was Kilconnell Abbey where the last recorded Chief of the Name of the Mannion Clan – John, son of Malachy – was buried in a tomb dated 1648, with two of his near kinsmen from the Clan’s principal stronghold at Menlough.
The final stop on the 2026 Mannion Clan heritage tour was in the townland of Finnure near Loughrea, where an Ó Mainnín king was slain in a battle between the O’Connor kings of Connacht and the O’Kellys of Hy Many in AD 1135.
That evening in Menlough, volunteer administrator of the Mannion Surname Project at Family Tree DNA, genetic genealogist Jim Hollarn from San Diego, outlined the roots and branches of the Mannion Clan based on an extensive range of DNA test results. It was followed by case studies and free one-to-one consultations on genealogy and DNA.
Sunday’s activities began with a mid-afternoon Mass for living and deceased members of the Mannion Clan in St Mary’s Church, Menlough, celebrated by Fr Colm Mannion OP. This was followed by a piper-led parade from the church to Páirc Uí Mhainnín (Mannion Park) and the Mannion chieftains’ castle site nearby, with the joint ceremonial grand marshals Caroline MacGeorge Murphy from New Jersey and Eddie Mannion from Ballygar proudly carrying the Ó Mainnín Clan flag.
Afterwards, the Clan Gathering guests were treated to an enlightening presentation on Gaelic Irish clothing and weaponry delivered by Proinsias Mag Fhionnghaile, chieftain of the McGinley Clan of Co. Donegal, before enjoying the customary seasonal barbecue.
Sunday’s festivities drew to a close with some traditional Irish music played by Fr Colm Mannion, including a reel he composed himself called ‘Back to Ballymannion’. He then joined Alan Mannion and his friends Mary McMahon and Ned Coleman for a lively trad session, during which guests enjoyed a moving rendition of the immigration song ‘Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears’, performed by teenager Iarla Thompson who also played the tin whistle.
The 2026 Mannion Clan Gathering concluded with Dr Joe Mannion, chairman of The Mannion Clan Association, complimenting those who had travelled to their ancestral homelands of East Galway over the weekend, to learn about and connect with their medieval Ó Mainnín roots. A general invitation was issued to the Mannion diaspora around the world to come and join in future Clan Gathering celebrations whenever the opportunity arose.