O'GARA CLAN ASSOCIATION EMBARKS ON A NEW IDEA
Some time ago the committee of County Sligo Heritage and Genealogy Society
decided to explore the possibility of getting involved with clans, with a view to
organising Clan Gatherings in the north West Region of Ireland. Arrangements were
made between members of the society and the O'Gara Clan committee to have a
discussion document presented at our A.G.M. which was held in Frenchpark, Co.
Roscommon on 22 November 2002. Two representatives from the society, Adrian
Regan and Gerard Creamer spoke to the clan members. After some discussion it was
decided to accept the main proposal that the County Sligo Heritage and Genealogy
Society would organise the O'Gara Clan 2003 rally. It was also agreed that the
accommodation and transport elements would be sourced out. Consequently, at a
further clan committee meeting on January 24, Adrian and Gerard were accompanied by
Keith McNair a special interest Tour Operator who directs Discover Sligo. He presented
us with an outline itinerary for a three day event. Even though June had been our
original choice for holding our Rally it was agreed that the second weekend in October
(10th to 13th) would give us more time to advertise abroad for the event.
County Sligo Heritage and Genealogy Society was founded in 1985 and is
providing a research service since 1988. It is a member of the Irish Family History
Foundation, the body set up to co-ordinate and develop a nationwide network of County
based centres offering genealogical services.
The Society is a non-profit making organisation and all revenues accrued go towards
defraying the costs of staffing and maintaining a genealogical service for County
Sligo. The Society runs a Heritage and Genealogy Centre based in the North West
Tourism complex in Temple Street, Sligo and employs eight people on both full-time
and part-time basis.
Adrian Regan has been employed as the Manager of Sligo Heritage Centre for almost
four years and has been instrumental in the successful introduction of several new
initiatives there. He has received qualifications in Marketing, Business Studies and
Human Resource Management.
Gerard Creamer, Outreach Worker with the centre has been employed in Community
development for the last seven years. He has been involved in networking with the
community driven visitor attractions of County Sligo and is also involved in his local
community in a Heritage association and School Board of Management.
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