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Program Sunday, July 2nd 10.00 am: Devenish Summer School, Noel Cassidy talking about some of the renowned early Cassidy poets, including Gilla Mo Duta Ua Caiside and Tomas Ban Ua Caiside 11.00 am: A Powerpoint Presentation by Alf Monaghan titled "Monastic Ireland - A Gift of the Nile" 1.30 pm Bus and boat trip to Devenish Island. Inauguration of An Caisideach on Devenish Island, an ancient burial ground of our Cassidy Ancestors. 7.30 pm Reception 8.00 pm Clan Gala Dinner An evening of good company, food, drink and entertainment. "The Byrne Brothers"
Noel Cassidy giving his presentation on Sunday morning.
Alf Monaghan then gave an extremely interesting presentation on Ireland's religious past.
After lunch we again boarded our bus and headed for the boat-landing near Devenish Island
The roads were, as oft in Ireland, very small!
The road was too small for the bus so we walked the last part.
Our first view of Devenish Island from the boat-landing.
Our ferry boat arriving.
Elisabeth had flowers to place on a Cassidy grave.
Nuala is having trouble with her back and requires a walking frame.
It was a very special feeling to be on the island where our ancestors had been for so long, so long ago.
The round tower, which is one of the best preserved in Ireland.
The remains of St. Mary's priory.
Elisabeth at the entrance to the Round Tower.
Looking out from the door of the round tower.
Some intricate carving on door frame.
The very interesting cross dating back to the 15th century.
A view looking down Lower Loch Erne
Tina Cassidy, behind bars!
Preparing for the inauguration ceremony.
Elisabeth with Alf Monaghan and his wife Mary.
The program for the ceremony. Link to the contents of the program. See also the details of the symbolic articles shown below, which are explained in the text of the ceremony
The "Staff of Hazel" and historical books mentioned as the Symbolic Articles in the Inauguration Ceremony. The book on the left is the third article and is a book on the history of Devenish Monastic Site, the second book is the second article and is the record of ancient genealogies and pedigrees of Fermanagh families, including Cassidys and the book on the right is the fourth article, is in Gaelic and is a book of The Cassidys and their Poetry.
Preparing for the ceremony
Tina Cassidy
Noel Cassidy and Jaff the Piper
Oliver, Noel and Jaff the Piper.
Tony Cassidy from Scotland holding the "Staff of Hazel".
Nuala with Youth and Wisdom
Tony presenting the Staff to Nuala
Nuala
Nuala and Noel
Jaff the Piper
Participants who presented the articles etc. Left to Right: Michael Cassidy (USA) representing Wisdom, Tony Cassidy (Scotland) the "Staff of Hazel", Elisabeth Cassidy-Geser (Switzerland), Veronica Williams (Australia) and ? presented the three books, and Katie Cassidy (Liverpool) representing youth.
Elisabeth Cassidy and Veronica Williams
Nuala greeting all the clan members.
Oliver Cassidy was then awarded the position of An Tanaiste (Deputy Chief)
The chief and her deputy
Looking down on the group from the steps of the round tower.
Nuala and Noel
The whole group, without me,
and with me included for once!
Elisabeth placing flowers on the Cassidy grave.
IHS Patrick Cassidy has three Children Enterd here - - - -
An arial view of the island with the sun low, showing the contours of previous buildings and walls.
An impression of how the early settlement could have been
and a little later. This seems to be at the time the tower was being rebuilt. The foundation of the original tower is still visible today.
and as it might have been at its peak.
The round tower framed by a door of St Mary's priory.
Photo bombers!
The round tower from the priory.
When the first boat load departed, I took the opportunity to take a few photos with fewer people around.
Elisabeth, Mary and Alf
This is the foundation of an earlier round tower, not far from the present one.
On board the boat for the return trip
and then on the bus.
We then prepared for the evening festivities.
Elisabeth and Nuala
Frank with Elisabeth
Nuala sampling the punch.
Nuala being escorted in by the Byrne brothers
The whole family!
Nuala
The facilities at the Killyhevlin Hotel were superb.
Later on the action started warming up.
Alf, Mary and Elisabeth
Everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Elisabeth with Noel's wife Sandy.
Some of us just didn't want it to end. This was taken at two in the morning.
Tina entertaining us again.
If you have just joined from the section on the Cassidy Clan Rally, I also have also posted the entire 27 day tour of Ireland that we did in our motorhome in June-July 2017. If you wish to join us at the beginning of the tour, please click HERE. If you diverted from the tour of Ireland to view the three days of the Cassidy Clan Rally, click on the link below. Link to the continuation of our tour.
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