Plans Begin for Gallagher Clan Reunion
Donegal Tribune – 27 April 2005
A meeting held in the Mount Errigal Hotel last Thursday night marked the beginning of a major promotional drive by the Gallagher Clan to create global awareness of a family name that originated in County Donegal.
A committee was formed with an initial brief to promote awareness of Gallagher history and to establish a worldwide network of people sharing the surname and its variants. The ultimate objective was to organise a global clan reunion, which it was hoped would take place in 2007, in conjunction with the Flight of the Earls commemorations, an era with close historical links to the Gallaghers.
Affiliations and Research Aims
The Clan announced its intention to affiliate with:
- Clans of Ireland – a government-sponsored association of family groups
- The Guild of One-Name Studies (UK) – an organisation dedicated to large-scale surname research
Membership of the Guild requires the establishment of a comprehensive reference library documenting all known mentions of the surname under study.
Early Progress and Public Engagement
Adrian Gallagher, Secretary of the newly formed committee, described the first meeting as very positive. Plans were already underway to organise a major public meeting in the autumn to further develop interest and participation.
The surname Gallagher derives from Ó Gallchobhair, meaning descendant of Gallchobhar, whose lineage traces back to a King of Ireland (642–654). The Gallaghers claimed status as one of the most senior and royal families in the region, with territory covering the modern baronies of Raphoe and Tir Hugh.
The earliest recorded mention of the name dates to 1022, when Mael Cobo ua Gallchobhair is recorded as Abbot of Scrín Adamnáin (Skreen, Co. Sligo).
Historical Significance of the Clan
The chiefs of the O’Gallchobhair family served as marshals of the O’Donnell military forces from the 14th to the 16th centuries. The Clan also had strong ecclesiastical ties, with six members serving as Bishops of Raphoe during the 15th and 16th centuries.
The Gallagher lineage stretches back to Niall of the Nine Hostages, who is reputed to have brought St Patrick to Ireland. Many Donegal clans trace descent from Conall, son of Niall, after whom Tír Chonaill is named.
Lands, Records, and Monuments
Areas closely associated with the O’Gallchobhairs include:
- Ballynaglack Castle, near Stranorlar
- Ballylast, near Lifford
During the Plantation of Ulster, the family fared poorly in land allocations. Notable grants included:
- Donnell Ballagh O’Galchor – a small parcel in the Barony of Kilmacrennan
- Farroll McHugh O’Galchor – 64 acres in Rosgill
- Torlagh Óg McOwen O’Gallogher – 77 acres in Beltany (Parish of Tullaghobegley, now Gortahork), following the 1641 Rising
The earliest known Gallagher gravestone lies in the ruins of Donegal Abbey, bearing the inscription:
“Here lyth ye body of Capt. Chrs. Gallagher who departed this life in ye 70 year of his age.”
The Gallagher Name Worldwide
Today, the Gallagher surname is most prevalent in the northwest of Ireland, particularly in Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, and Mayo, with smaller numbers elsewhere in Ireland.
Globally, the name has a strong presence in:
- England
- Scotland
- Wales
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Canada
- United States
In England and Wales, Gallagher ranked 266th among the top 500 surnames in 1999, out of 27,534 recorded names.
In the United States, the name ranked 547th, based on census sampling. When extrapolated across the full population, this equates to approximately 62,000 individuals bearing the surname.
American Civil War records list:
- 309 Confederates
- 1,614 Union veterans
with the Gallagher name.
The strength of the name is also reflected in place names such as Gallagher Township in Pennsylvania and Gallagher County in West Virginia.
Committee Members (2005)
The committee formed at the Mount Errigal Hotel included:
- Fr. Seán Gallagher – Chairman
- Cllr. Shaun Gallagher – Vice-Chairman
- Adrian Gallagher – Secretary
- Adrian Gallagher – Treasurer
- Brian Gallagher
- Oisín Gallagher – PRO