Transportation

     While renting a car offers substantial convenience for visitors to Ireland, it is not necessary.  Bus service in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is efficient and comprehensive.

      For visitors coming from Dublin, please visit the Bus Eireann -- the Republic of Ireland's bus service -- for the timetable from Dublin to Donegal via Enniskillen.  This is the quickest way to arrive in County Fermanagh via public transportation from Dublin.  There is no train service from Dublin.  Several buses depart daily from Dublin.

      From Enniskillen there is frequent bus service to Irvinestown, the site of the rally.  Please visit Translink -- the web site for bus service in Northern Ireland -- for timetables between Enniskillen and Irvinestown.  There are also many reasonably priced taxi cabs that service Enniskillen and the surrounding area, including Irvineston.

      If you are traveling by car from Dublin, take the N3 north to Cavan and onto Enniskillen; then the A32 north to Irvinestown.

      By car from Belfast, take the M1 west until it turns into the A4; past Ballgawley, go north on the A5 to Omagh; and southwest on the A32 to Irvinestown. Visitors wishing to travel after the rally to other cities in Northern Ireland or explore the northwest of the Republic of Ireland, including nearby Counties Donegal and Sligo, will also find convenient bus departures and transport links from Enniskillen. 

Summary of Past Rallies:  

2005 Clan Rally:  August 5th-7th

Noirín Cassidy and Tori, Nuala's Granddaughter at the Rally Opening Ceremony

When organizing an event in Ireland, where the majority of those attending are visitors from the USA, Canada and Australia, its always a worry for the organizers to know what the visitors will expect and will their expectations be met.

Nuala Cassidy-White, Chairperson of the Cassidy Clan

"The Cassidy Clan Executive Committee not only met all expectations, but far exceeded them"- was one of the many comments expressed by Cassidy visitors journeyed from as far away as Japan, USA, Canada, England and The Republic of Ireland to attend the 11th Cassidy Clan Gathering held in Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh in August, 2005.

The Cassidy Clan on Devenish Island. A memorable and spiritual moment for everyone present.

One hundred and two members of the Clan gathered on Devenish Island to witness the Inauguration of their new Head of Clan, Dr. Sheila Cassidy, as An Caisideach.

Devenish Island

         Innauguration Ceremony of An Caisideach on Devenish Island  at the 2005 Cassidy Clan Rally.

Dr. Cathal Cassidy, (Clan Treasurer) was the narrator for the ceremony and reminded the gathering that Muintir Caiside were already an old and venerable Sept when the first Maguire was inaugurated at Sciath Gabhra, Lisnaskea or a McMahon had stood on the Hill of Leck, Kilmore. Long before the Normans threw up their tall forts at Belleek and Clones, the name Giolla Mochuda Mór Ó Caiside stood for all that was superior in Gaelic literature amongst the fir leighinn, the men of learning in Ireland.

Noirín Cassidy passing forward the leadership of the Cassidy Clan.

Dr. Sheila Cassidy, An Caisideach of the Cassidy Clan

The ceremony was concluded the ceremony as she accepted the role of An Caisideach and recited the poem "Moelisa Dixit" written by St. Molaise of Devenish in the 6th century.

This poem was set to music by Séan O Caiside, An Caisideach, 1991 - 2003 and was preformed for the first time by his Children, Na Casaidigh, and grandchildren on Devenish Island at the conclusion of the Inauguration ceremony.

Na Casaidigh on Devenish Island

Cassidys and Keenans on Devenish

Prior to the trip to Devenish Island, a Genealogy workshop was held at Mahons Hotel, where Pete Cassidy, formally from Knockatallan, Co. Monaghan now living in Exeter, England and Janet Cassidy-Stroh, New Jersey, USA led the visitors through the perils and pitfalls of researching family history in Ireland. A family history research manual was also presented at the workshop.

Séan Cassidy, Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan was on hand with a wonderful art exhibition, another string to the talented Cassidy bow and the Clan are delighted that he decided to launch his 2006 calender , depicting his work, at the Clan Gathering.

The Clan banquet was a resounding success with Na Casaidigh, joined for the first time in public by their very talented children and Eilish Dolan, a local musician, on accordion.

2005 Cassidy Clan Banquet at Mahon's

The great Mr. Eddie Keenan singing in Irish

Na Casaidigh performing at the banquet

Nuala Cassidy said she was disappointed that other local musicians did not accept her invitation to join Na Casaidigh for a night of wonderful music and song. The visitors were also entertained by Seamas Mc Canny who told them of other notable Cassidys who had appeared in local newspapers, not all of whom were Saint nor scholar.

The 6th Devenish Summer School was held on Sunday morning with John Cunningham giving a very informative talk on the Cultural and Spiritual significance of Holy Wells.

Dr. Cathal Cassidy outlined a future vision of a publication by the Cassidy Clan, An Iconographic History, in which a full history of the Clan would be recorded

Brent Cassidy from the USA gave a talk on the first published book by the Cassidy Clan, "Speculated Truth," which gave those gathered a greater insight into the journey of his family from Roslea to North Carolina, which led him to discover his relationship to the Cassidy Homestead in Roslea and President Bill Clinton.

The weekend concluded with a bus tour of the historic sites in Fermanagh including, what has now become a tradition, a comfort stop at Monaghans of the Cross.

One of the most important decisions made at this Cassidy Clan Gathering, was to plant a grove of native Irish Oak trees near Ballycassidy, as a memorial to all deceased members of the Cassidy Family. This project will be undertaken in the Autumn.

Unable to attend the gathering this year due to ill health, was Noel Maguire, Lisnaskea, who had attended every Cassidy Clan Gathering since 1992. In recognition of his very faithful support, Noel has been invited to accept Honorary Lifetime Membership of the Cassidy Clan.

        Irvinestown was the site of the 2000 clan rally. An opening social took place Friday night, followed by the Devenish Summer School on Saturday morning.   On Saturday night, we had the Clans of Fermanagh Banquet featuring two of Northern Ireland’s top storytellers for entertainment. 

        The highlight of the weekend, however, occurred on Saturday, when we visited the nearby townland of Cassidy. In Cassidy, there are remains of an ancient Rath, an earthen fort or enclosure.  The Fermanagh Council, Forestry Department and Historic Sites Commission restored the Rath, and it was officially with a pageant celebrating the culture of the region and the contribution by Cassidys. This marked a special occasion for us to return to site that a few hundred years ago was likely occupied by Cassidys and other members of the Clans of Fermanagh.

1999 Cassidy Clan Rally

        The 1999 clan rally took place in in Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh.  The rally began on Friday night with registration, a welcoming session and informal social.  Two talented high school students performed played classic Irish tunes during the reception.  On Saturday, the Devenish Summer Program commenced with a lectures on genealogy and Irish emigration.

        The Saturday night Clan Banquet was the highlight of the weekend, which included entertainment from the Na Caiside or The Cassidys, sons of the Cassidy Clan Chieftain who have performed around the world.   They were the life of the party.  On Sunday, we toured the Ulster-American Folk Park, one of the top folk parks in the world, which had a special program on story telling.  That night the participants gathered for an "Irish stew."