O'Dochartaigh Reunion

The"O'Dochartaigh Reunion" is held in Northern Ireland every five years, on the years ending in 5 or 0.  Five of us attended part of the Reunion this year.  Gordon and Marion Doherty, NoelDoherty, Philip Faggard (nephew of Noel Doherty) and Karen Harsch (friend of Noel Doherty).  We arrived in Dublin in late June, and drove our rented car from there to Derry.  (The locals say that the British added London to the name, but that it's original name is Derry and is derived from "Dorie" or something close to that.)  On the way we went out of our way to make a stop in Armagh, the "spiritual center" of Ireland, so decreed by St. Patrick.  In Derry we stayed at Darcus Cottage, next door to Cathedral Cottage where we stayed five years ago.  Darcus is a very spacious self-catering four floor townhouse, which was quite comfortable for all five of us.

During the Reunion we participated in some of the events that were scheduled, and had some time off as well for our own touring.  We attended the Opening Nights festivities at the Guildhall in Derry, and were greeted by the Lord Mayor, on July 1st.  We took the day off the next day and did a driving trip to the west country and saw Glenveagh Castle and other sites.  On July 3rd we took the walking tour of the Derry City Walls, saw the Bogside Murals and Museum, all connected with the "troubles of 1972".  On Sunday, July 4th we drove to Ulster to visit the Ulster-American Folk Park, a walking excursion through various houses and other buildings from the 19th century.  That night we drove to Culdonagh Manor for a BBQ at John Doherty's B & B.  On Monday, July 5th we took another day off from the Reunion and did a driving trip east to see the Giant's Causeway and other sites along the way.  That evening we drove to Buncrana to the Inishowen Gateway Hotel for the Medieval Banquet.  The next day we headed to Belfast.

Five years ago when some of us attended the Reunion, there were over 400 people in attendance.  We were surprised that this year there were a liitle over 100 people.  We speculate that the economy might have had an impact on attendance, as well as the extraReunion that was held in 2008 in honor of the 400th anniversary of the death of Sir Cahir Rua O'Doherty.  That year there were over 400 people, so it could be that many decided not to return two years later.

After visiting Belfast, and on our way to Dublin, we went out of our way to visit Downpatrick, the purported burial place of St. Patrick.  Although there are some who question the site, there is a large stone with the name "Patrick" etched into it, and it is on the grounds of the Anglican (Church of Ireland) Cathedral.  It was great to visit the site, regardless of the controvery.

This is a picture of the original St. John's Church in Belfast (demolished long ago) where William and Catherine were married.

This is the baptismal font in St. Jude's Church (not the original font) which is the church where the first four children were baptized: Ruth, George, Kate and Bill.

This is the outside of St. Jude's Church on Ormeau Road in Balleynafeigh, Belfast.