Muintir Mhathúna
SAVE THE DATE!
The Officers and Council
invite you to save the date for the
71st Annual Gathering
of
The O Mahony Society
4-6 September 2026
County Cork, Ireland
We will rally at Dunmanus Castle
on
Sunday, 6 September
We will be headquartered at the beautiful Westlodge Hotel in stunning Bantry, West Cork.
A block of 15 double/twin rooms has been reserved under the name "O Mahony Gathering"
from 4th September through the night of the 6th (check out on the 7th) at the special rate of €189 per room/per night inclusive of breakfast.
It may seem early, but it's not! Room reservations are going quickly! Make your reservations now:
Reservations@westlodgehotel.ie
+3532750360
If you have any queries regarding bookings, please contact Reimar Campena at the above email address.
AN EVENT REGISTRATION FORM WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MID JULY
Bantry Harbor
Bantry, West Cork
Kindly be aware that The O Mahony Society does not provide transportation to any sites or events.
Programme of Events
Please note that some plans are in development; this website will be updated accordingly.
Friday, 4 September, 6:30 (ish) pm:
Traditional Meet and Greet Social
Hannie's Bar at the Westlodge has been reserved for us as a place we can be together, raise a glass, and kick off a great weekend of being O Mahonys!
This is an on-your-own evening, and bar food will be available for order.
Saturday, 5 September, 10:30 am: Outing to Garnish Island
Meeting at HQ at 10:30 am and caravaning in our respective vehicles, we will arrive at the Glengarrif pier in time for the 11:30 am ferry. For those traveling directly to the embarkation site, please plan to arrive in time to join us by our planned departure time.
We will take the ferry ride to Garnish Island and take in their amazing gardens. The ferry operators cannot promise, but the trip usually includes seeing seals and other local points of interest.
Currently, the fee for the round-trip ferry (on your own) is €15, although with fluctuating fuel prices, that may increase; we will strive to keep our information as up to date as possible. You will need a few minutes to purchase your tickets.
The ferry has a maximum capacity of 40 people, and one leaves every ten minutes. The last ferry departs the island at 5:30 pm.
The entrance fee to the island, its beautiful gardens, and limited tours of the house (limited to 10 per hour) is €5, and The O Mahony Society will provide admission for attendees of the Gathering. There is also a tea room where light refreshments can be purchased.
Saturday, 5 September, 6 pm (ish):
Annual General Meeting
Once again, this will be a hybrid meeting event.
The Zoom link will follow.
While all are welcome to join us, as a gentle reminder, only dues-paying members can cast a vote. We will be electing a new slate of officers, and nominations from the floor will be welcome.
Saturday, 5 Sept, 7:30 for 8 pm:
Annual O Mahony Society Dinner
This event will be at our Westlodge Hotel HQ's Sugarloaf Restaurant, and a served, 3-course meal. Dinner is €45 per person. For a sneak peak at the menu, click here.
PARTY PIECES TO FOLLOW DINNER.
Sunday, 6 Sept, 1:30 pm(ish) and on:
71st Annual OMS Rally: Dunmanus Castle
Here's what we know: Picnics are on your own, and a great opportunity to continue your "O Mahonicity" fellowship.
The castle ruins are an approximately 30-minute drive from HQ; the landowner, Mr. Healy, will open a more level field approximately 200 metres from the castle as our parking/picnic/speaker place.
If you're planning to walk the castle area, you must have good hiking shoes. The castle site itself is a reasonably rocky, muddy in rainy times, and now a space shared with cattle, who can leave some deep divots. Don't miss the chance to see the recently restored plaque on this historic O Mahony castle honoring our founder, Eoin O Mahony, K.M.
The OMS Council will march from the castle to the field at ~3 pm, and the renowned Irish folklorist, storyteller, and Eco-Adventurer Conor Ó Buachalla will be our rally keynote speaker.
The OMS will have an ice cream truck for your picnic/rally on-your-own dessert options, as well as a portaloo at the rally site.
What's not to love? JOIN US!
That evening UNWIND At HQ
We fully know many will need to leave us Sunday afternoon. For those who can stay, and in somewhat American, very loosey-goosey terms, many of us have historically enjoyed a very casual, on-your-own evening meal at HQ.
It has become the farewell until next year's Gathering!
The red map pin above is Dunmanus Castle; the white arrow is the parking/picnic/rally site. The views from both are breathtaking!
