Here in Tipperary we do not have to invent ‘Gatherings.’ Indeed same have been part of our culture down through the centuries with impressive communal gatherings taking place at major sites like the Rock of Cashel, a mere 22 km down the road.
Assemblies here in the county, from the most local to the provincial were always vital to our medieval communities and it was here kings were proclaimed, justice was doled out, legal arguments were sorted & new laws given approval, political alliances were cemented, marriages agreed, armies mustered, saints invoked and ancestors revered.
Ryan Gathering 23rd to 25th August Inclusive.
No surprise then that Jane Ryan (Ryan Busty Clan) thought it would be a great idea, last year, to get all of the ‘Busty Ryan Clan,’ together and to investigate their genealogy. Gradually the idea grew and with “The Gathering 2013,” being advertised, she thought it would be a good idea to perhaps turn this same smaller annual clan event into something with a little more International flavour.
Using the facilities at The Source and being experienced previously in Event Management in the UK, Jane thought it would be something that would attract much needed tourism to the town, while also developing a central location here in Thurles, where Ryan’s from anywhere on our planet, could gather to “Proclaim their Royalty, Agree Laws, Revere Ancestors and yes, subject to the dowry of course, Arrange Marriages, both parties being agreeable.”
While some sporting events (e.g. including boxing and rugby,) are included on her programme, (Ryan’s v the Rest,) flexibility will be the important order of this promising weekend, allowing people to mingle and meet new family connections, while sampling some of the local attractions, (e.g. Sports, Crafts, Exhibitions, History, Literature, Food and Drink,) and a chance to witness & experience the natural scenic beauty of the indisputable richest farmland in Europe.
To this end, arrangements are now in full swing for the holding of a special crafts market, numerous sporting events, visits to St Mary’s Famine museum & The Source Exhibition, latter which will furnish Ryan families with the opportunity to locate their own kinsfolk. (Remember the widely used Irish remark ” All Ryan’s are Rogues, but all Rogues aren’t necessarily Ryan’s.”
Rogues or not, Jane is desperately seeking, both worldwide & from here in Ireland, the following Ryan family Clans:-
Ryan (Preston’s) of Kilcommon; Ryan (Connie’s) of Upperchurch; Ryan (Sean Mor’s) of Newport; the Ryan (Man’s) of Gurtovalla; the Ryan (Ladie’s) of Kilfeacle; the Ryan (Carpenter’s) of Dundrum; the Ryan (Manager’s) of Hollyford; the Ryan (Bawn’s) of Cappamore; the Ryan (Roger’s) of Newport; the Ryan (Chicken’s) of Pallasgreen; the Ryan (Coopers); the Ryan (John’s); the Ryan (Donal’s); the Ryan (Rogues); the Ryan (Foxes); the Ryan (Seanig); the Ryan (Bulleens); the Ryan (Brigid); the Ryan (Scarteen’s); the Ryan (Dick’s); the Ryan (Cnoic’s); ah for God’s sake Jane you have me index finger worn down to half its size, sure look, if you are named Ryan, truth is we want to meet you here in Thurles, Co.Tipperary, on the weekend of August 23rd -25th 2013.
Seriously though, it is interesting to note that there are approximately 40,000 bearers of the Ryan surname & Ryan is the tenth most numerous surname in use in Ireland today. The greatest concentration of the name appears here in West Tipperary, where the Ryan’s have been in continuous occupation for time immemorial.
Of course one of the last major gathering of Ryan’s in Thurles was on March 20th 1826, when they made an ungodly show of themselves in the main square. Women standing on the sidelines, enjoying the spectacle of a local Faction Fight or Bataireacht, somehow got it into their heads, as women are wont, that their men folk required support. These interfering women began firing large rocks, latter secreted away in their shopping baskets, at the opposing faction. According to reports of this event, the stones fired missed intended targets and broke many of the windows of the local shop keepers in the square. The police who intervened were “desperately attacked,” and shots were fired killing 3 men.
This serious riot was only quelled by the intervention of the 15th. Royal Foot Regiment, then garrisoned in Thurles, who were prevailed upon to support the local authorities. Believe me when ye arrive this time, as the Chief Superintendent of the Gardaí said to me, as she gently tapped her 400ml can of Pepper Spray on her desk, “There will be no repeat performance, by those Ryan clans, with regard to that kind of behaviour in Thurles, this time out.”
Seriously, best to ‘Bookmark‘ this site now and keep an eye out for more updated information on The Ryan Clan Gathering 2013.
La brea! Jane. I do hope my Ryan family, some not far from the Rock of Cashel, will respond to the Ryan Gathering. My late Mother Kate Ryan and all 11 of her siblings were from Two Mile Borris in Thurles and we still have some Ryan’s around that area. I have no idea what clan they would come under, but I can think of many! Wish we could be there with you on this wonderful day, but having to much fun on this side of the world getting involved with our election coming up with all our demands for the ex pats.
Slan go foil.
Katie.
Hi Jane, Myself and my sister hope to get down to Thurles for that weekend. We have one elderly Aunt still alive and we will get as much information about Grandparents etc. as we can. Ger and Siobhan.
Hi Ger, that’s great news, does your Aunt live nearby? Our genealogist will be here all day on the Saturday to help anyone with their families. We have a brochure that covers the whole weekends events, if you are on facebook, find our page RyanGathering and inbox me your address and I will send it out to you. can’t wait to meet you all here in Thurles 🙂
Thanks for your comment Katie, such a shame you won’t be here for it, but we will post lots of pictures of the weekend on Facebook RyanGathering page. Hopefully some of your family will be here.
I was interested to read Katie’s comment of 4th July 3013. my grandfather Daniel Ryan came from Two Mile Borris and was one of eleven children. His family were Ryan (Stylish) named for his hurling skills I wonder if its the same family?
Wouldn’t that be amazing if they were the same family. Stylish is a nickname that i do not have for the Gathering, we have 427 nicknames ………now 428.Thanks
Gina. I do remember my Mother talking about one of her brothers been hit with a Hurley stick and died. From memory I believe he was called Dan. Gina I do have all the names of the Ryan Family from Two Mile Borris somewhere among all the clutter in my office. I will look it up for you as soon as I can. Have a great Gathering of the Ryan clan and I do hope some of our Ryan’s will get there and meet up with you!
Hi Jane,
Could you email me a program of the Ryan Gathering as I would love to go – I live in Killaloe and my grandmother was Daisy Casey, nee Ryan, of Thurles House and the Brewery Stores,
Thanks a million,
Gay
Hi Gay,
You should be able to identify the burial place of your grandmothers people here at this link http://www.hiddentipperary.com/cemeteries-graveyards/grave-inscriptions-in-st-marys-churchyard/
No Problem Gay, will you mail me your address to Ryangathering@gamil.com and I will send it on to you. Hope we see you there. Regards Jane
Hi George, Thank you for this (I have only just seen it!) I think my aunt Philomena Ryan and great-grandparents are buried in St Mary’s graveyard; however, I have just been talking to the cemeteries section of Thurles town council and the very helpful woman there told me my grandparents Daisy and John (Jack) Casey are buried in section F, row 8, plots 149 and 140 in St Patrick’s graveyard. Maybe I’ll be able to find them on Saturday! Bye now, Gay
Great News. Glad your search was so productive.
Hi Katie
I’ve only just read your response of 15th July. My grandfather didn’t die from a hit by a hurling stick but my uncle did!
My grandfather Daniel played in the first All Ireland for Tipperary as did his brother Jer.
I know some of the family were Hayes and that many of his siblings went to America but apart from the nickname of Stylish that’s all I know.
I can’t make the Gathering but I would be grateful if you could dig out any family info for me
Thanks
Gina
HI, read your list of Ryan clans and mine, Ryan Andy is included but I also went to school with a Ryan Dansie (Rosegreen) and a Ryan Hurley (Knockavilla I think) who are not on your list so there’s 2 more for the ever-expanding list.
Thanks Máire, hope you get an opportunity to call over to Thurles this weekend or on some future date.
Thanks Maire, have added them to the list. Jane Ryan
I don’t know how I missed this! Let me know if it ever happens again. I am an American Ryan; my grandfather’s family came from Cappawhite.
A true ‘Faction Fighter’ Margaret. See http://www.thurles.info/2008/11/11/thurles-women-tipperary-stone-throwers/
Hi Margaret,
We are hoping to do it all again in 2016. We have a ryangathering facebook page which will keep you up to date with any news.
Thanks for getting in touch.
Jane
Leave me know when the next gathering is on. My faction might be up for it.
Hi Seamus,
I will contact you just as soon as information comes to hand.
Regards George.