From as far away as New Zealand and Australia they came for the 11th annual O’Leathlobhair rally.

Hurling, singing, music dining and sightseeing were all on the agenda. Next Novembers trip to Australia for the 150^th commemoration ceremony of the miner rising at the Eureka Stockade was the main topic at the clan AGM. Peter Lalor, a brother of James Fintan, led that rising. Their descendant Kevin Lalor Fitzpatrick, chairman PRO, told the AGM that it was hoped also to have ceremonies in Laois on December 3 in remembrance of the Eureka strikers.

The rally kicked off with a juvenile game, Blues v Greens in Fr. Breen Park. Man of the match was David McEvoy who scored a spectacular goal for the Blues who won 3-6 to 2-2.

In the senior match Shanahoe beat Ballypickas who played at short notice. The score was 2-13 to 2-10.

The senior match was refereed by Pat Bowe, Cappnaclough, and the referee of the juvenile match was P.J. Lalor, Abbeyleix. His officials were David Lalor, Killeigh; Pat Lalor, Camross; Owen Lalor, Carlow and Paddy Lalor, Ballycarroll.

The Lawlor Family cup was presented to the winning Blues team:

Padraig Lalor, Pat Lalor, Conor Lalor, Donal Lalor, T.J. Lalor, (captain), Joe McEvoy, Cormac Lalor, David McEvoy, Tomás Scully.

On the Greens: T.J. Cranny, Donal Lalor, Ronan Doolan, Darren Whelan, Jason Walsh, M.J. Lalor, Jacinta Rafter, Seamus Kerr, Ciara Lalor.

Before, the senior game there was fun and games for the children with a tug-o-war, and an egg and spoon race.

Following the presentations, in the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel, which were carried out by out going Chieftain David Lawlor, the Maura Shanahan dancers provided the entertainment for the evening. Amongst the dancers was Eilish Casey, who has Lalor blood in her veins.

On Saturday Jackie Hyland and Dawson Deverell gave clan members a guided tour of Coolbanagher Church. From there they went to Emo Court, and on the way back to Abbeyleix they called in to Whelan’s of Ballyraon.

In the evening after a superb banquet, there was entertainment, which included accordionist Pat Tynan and singers Stuart Lawlor from Huddersfield, England and Kevin Lalor-Fitzpatrick Raheen.

A beautician was voted the new Chieftain of the O'Leathlobhair Clan. Carole Lawlor was elevated to the position at the banquet in the Manor Hotel.

Carole and her husband Alan Mallard live in Abbeyleix. Her clan credentials are impeccable, as she has ancestral connections to Peter Lalor of Eureka Stockade fame and she is proud of her Australian links. She is daughter of Jenny and the late Richard Lalor. Carole was born in England. The family moved to Ireland when she was five-years-old. She has a brother James and two sisters Geraldine and Josephine. She was professionally trained in Holland and has a health and beauty clinic in Carlow. Her ambition for the year is to create an even greater sense of unity amongst the widespread O'Leathlobhair Clan.

In all there were nine people nominated for Chieftain, eight withdrew leaving Carole as the only candidate.

Bill Geoghegan piped her into the banquet hall where she received the symbol of office, a staff and cloak from outgoing chieftain David Lawlor, Killeigh. He said that it had been a dream come true for him to have headed the O'Leathlobhair clan and he wished Carole well during her term of office.

On Sunday Fr. Eddie Lalor, Cappnaclough conducted an ecumenical service in the Church of Adoration. He is home on leave from Kenya. Alan Mallard read from the scriptures and Margaret Dunne, Cavan, led the prayers for deceased clan members.

Clan officers: Chairman PRO, Kevin Lalor Fitzpatrick, Raheen; Vice-chairman David Lawlor, Killeigh; Secretary; Mary Mahony, Boley; Assistant Secretary; Mary Lalor-Fitzpatrick, Raheen; Treasurer; Paddy Lalor, Ballycarroll; Assistant Treasurer; Richard Lalor, Camross; Clans of Ireland representative Marion Gunn, Dublin; Life Members; Tom Lalor, Clare and Annie and Richard Lalor, Camross.

Committee P.J. Lalor, Abbeyleix; Tom Lawlor, Abbeyleix; Ursula Lawlor, Killeigh; John Lalor, Ballyroan; Mary Rourke, Portlaoise; Michael Lalor, Camross; P. Breen, Kildare; Alan Mallard, Abbeyleix.

Those seeking information on the Australian trip should contact Kevin Lalor-Fitzpatrick, 0502-31884.