Clan gathers to elect a new chieftain - and have a bit of a party

ABBEYLEIX was once again the venue for the annual O Leathlobhair Clan Rally. It was the 16th annual rally and over 90 members of the clan attended the week-end festival. They came from as far as England and America - and indeed it was one of the diaspora who was elected as the clans 12th chieftain.

Sixty-three-year-old Huddersfield native John Stuart Lawlor received the prestigious honour at the event.

Outgoing chieftain Tom Lawlor handed over his robe to the new chieftain as the O Leathlobhair Clan Piper Joe O Leary led the clan chief in to a standing ovation at the banquet in the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel. Stuart, a father of two who works as a financial officer with an English charity, said he was delighted. It is a privilege and an honour to be selected. I feel brilliant, he said.

Mr Lawlor was accompanied by his wife Sheila on the night and their hosts for the week-end John and Liz Lalor.

Stuart attended his first rally in 2001 after he discovered it while browsing the internet. Ironically, it was the outgoing chieftain who first invited Mr Lawlor to a clan rally.

The new chieftain acknowledged the work done by his predecessor.

Events initially got under way on Friday 10 July in Fr Breen Park with a senior ladies football game between Shanahoe and Timahoe. The rain thankfully stayed away and Timahoe just edged out their opponents in an entertaining contest that ended 1-8 to 1-6. The Killeshin cup was presented to captain Trish Lalor by clan chieftain Tom Lawlor shortly afterwards.

The business end of the clan rally took place the following day with the annual AGM. Highlights over the last year included the clan paying a trip to Dublin to visit the grave of the James Fintan Lalor, where a wreath was laid on the famous Laois mans grave. The AGM also saw the election officers, including Kevin Lalor Fitzpatrick as chairperson and PJ Lalor as vice-chairperson. Annie Lalor and Mary Mahony were nominated as secretaries and Paddy Lalor and Tom Lawlor elected as treasurer and assistant treasurer respectively. Mary Lalor, Paddy Lalor, Ursula Lawlor, Annie Lawlor and Paddy Lalor were all elected as life members of the clan. Committee members and representatives were also selected.

Later in the day, the clan set off for a historical tour of Kilkenny, ending at Kilkenny Castle. The highlight of the weekend - the clans annual banquet took place that evening in Abbeyleix Manor Hotel, where Stuart was elected chieftain and was also requested to sing a song with the band.

The Blue Ridge Country Band provided the music.

Sunday morning saw the conclusion of the rally with an ecumenical service celebrated by Fr Eddie Lalor and Reverend Ann Wallace, followed by a farewell lunch.