His Excellency Loyola Hearn, Canadian Ambassador to Ireland (left), with Mayor of Donegal, Cllr Noel McBride, and Adrian Gallagher.
On 26 January 2012, in Downings, Co. Donegal, the Gallagher Clan made a presentation to His Excellency Loyola Hearn, Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, on the occasion of his visit to County Donegal, the ancestral homeland of the Gallaghers.
The presentation was made in recognition of the long and enduring connections between Canada and the Gallagher Clan. Adrian Gallagher, representing the Clan, made the presentation to His Excellency on behalf of the Gallagher Clan Organisation.
Address by Adrian Gallagher
In his address to the Ambassador, Adrian Gallagher said:
“County Donegal has had connections with Canada for a long time, with many from this county making their home there. As the largest family-name grouping in the county, we thought it fitting that this long association should be commemorated by us on your visit to County Donegal, especially as so many of the name did indeed settle and prosper there.
The records show a Gallagher from Letterkenny trading out of New Brunswick to Donegal and Liverpool in the early nineteenth century. His main Canadian exports appear to have been furs and timber. A number of Gallaghers took up the plots allocated to early settlers, and since then Gallaghers have been involved across the whole spectrum of Canadian life.
In many ways Ireland’s loss has been Canada’s gain. However, it remains a land of opportunity, and only this week I was making use of connections made through the Clan Organisation to assist a young civil engineer in making contacts in British Columbia.
Today we would like to mark the mutually beneficial aspects of our association.”
The Ambassador receiving the Gallagher Plate from Adrian Gallagher
Invitation to the Gallagher Global Gathering
Adrian Gallagher continued:
“We would also like to extend an invitation to all those in Canada with Gallagher family connections to return to County Donegal for the 2nd Gallagher Global Gathering in September 2013. A significant number from across Canada attended the first gathering.
On this occasion, I would especially like to remember Marianna O’Gallagher, a noted historian and writer on Irish immigration to Canada. Originally from Quebec City, she attended the Gathering in 2007 and sadly passed away last year, shortly after being honoured as Grand Marshal of the Quebec City St Patrick’s Day Parade. May she rest in peace.
Already we have received enquiries from all over the world regarding the 2013 Gathering, including many from Canada. All will be welcome to their original family homeland.
While they may have left us, a welcome always awaits our emigrants and their descendants.
Beidh céad míle fáilte rompu i gcónaí i sean Dhún na nGall
(A hundred thousand welcomes will always await them in old Donegal).”
