Spanish members of the Crowley clan set to attend West Cork gathering 

A group of Spanish descendants of a man who emigrated from West Cork in the 1700s are set to meet their ancestors during their first trip to Ireland this year.

The tri-annual Crowley Clan gathering will take place on the weekend of September 12-14 at the West Cork Hotel, Skibbereen.

Speaking to The Echo clan member Liam Crowley said the earliest gatherings took place in the late 1960s.

“Back in the early days there was a man called Tom Crowley from Ohio, who just passed away three weeks ago. He organised the American and Canadian Crowleys and descendants of Crowleys. As soon as he got involved, the gathering took on a new life.”

Liam spoke about the “great upheaval” during the famine, and how DNA testing done in the US has helped people connect with distant relatives whose ancestors emigrated there.

DNA test

One DNA test showed that a Crowley from Boston was Liam’s cousin.

“I never even knew I had relations in America, and he was delighted to know exactly where his ancestors come from,” said Liam.

He said that this year the clan is set to welcome some new guests.

“A lady called Ann Crowley who was a teacher in Spain did some research into the Spanish Crowleys, and said we should try and invite them.

“Pedro Alonzo Crowley went over to Spain in the early 1700s, and there’s a house there with the Crowley crest over the front door.

“Last year, myself and Larry Crowley went to Spain, Ann put us in touch with a couple of people and we met up. They were delighted we’d taken an interest in them, and said they will come to the gathering.

“One of the clan members, Charlie Crowley, is into sailing and knows the people who own a replica of the historic boat, the Saoirse.

“So we’re going to have the Spaniards sailing into Baltimore, as their descendants would have sailed to Spain from West Cork, and being greeted by Crowleys from around the world welcoming back the descendants. Most of them have never been to Ireland before.”

Liam said their guests who come from abroad “just love to connect”.

Friends

“At the gathering we’ll have sing-songs and music, set dances, lots of displays of Irish culture. A lady from California called Tamara Crowley plays the harp, and she’ll be doing that on the pier in Baltimore to welcome the Spaniards.

“People that never met before, by the end of weekend they’ll be friends,” he said.

Gathering organisers, who are expecting more than 200 people to attend over the weekend, are appealing to Cork Crowleys to come along.

The weekend will have a wine and cheese opening, trad music and sing songs, a banquet, a mass at the ruin of the old Crowley Castle, and road bowling, which is a highlight for the attendees, with a demonstration taking place before Crowleys are split into international teams.

Nearly 80 hotel rooms in the area have already been booked by international Crowleys.

“It’s the greatest interest in a gathering we’ve ever had,” said Liam.