clan associations

[O'Callaghan]

I voted "I don't have a clan, I just love kilts" The Irish don't have clans, we have gangs!
My wife is a member of her Clan's associations, and I am a member of two Irish heritage groups.

The Irish had clans, just as the Scots did, although some say Irish clans should be called septs. The Irish government used to recognise the remaining hereditary chiefs, until some eejit pretended to be the Macarthy Mor (Great Macarthy) when he wasn't.

I consider myself a member of Clan Callaghan (Sept Callaghan just wouldn't have the same ring to it, LOL!), and we still do have a hereditary chief. He lives in Barcelona, Spain, and speaks Spanish! He can speak English, but I'd bet money he can't speak Gaelic, although neither can I.

What we no longer have is a clan association, AFAIK. All I have ever been able to find for the latter is a snail mail address for a secretary in Mallow, Co. Cork, and an e-mail address for him that bounces. I suppose I could start a new clan association based in the USA, just like all the bl**dy rest are, but it sounds like too much work.

So that's why I had to vote no. I would probably join if I could.

[MacLowlife]

The only time someone contributes to Clan McLowlife is when we are trying to raise bail- and then the most frequent contribution is "Good Luck". I respect the clan system but I can't claim much in the way of affiliation.

[Macman]

I'm a member of Clan Mackintosh of North America and the Clan Chattan Association. I'm not really involved in either, but I like being a member and enjoy reading the newsletters that come out.

[vipermcgee]

Recent member of Clan Crawford Association and work closely with Clan Wallace. It's a great way to help others learn of their own heritages.

Robert

[Paul]

I'm not a member of any association. I don't feel a strong enough connection to any particular clan.
I do feel rather affiliated with one clan - but I do not agree with their constitutional system and some of the leadership's beliefs.

[piperdbh]

I'm a member of the the American Clan Lockhart Society, and thereby a member of the Scottish branch, as well. I'm not involved in the affairs of the group, but I enjoy meeting new members at games and such.

[muirkirkca]

Belong to the Scottish Studies society, part of U of Guelph.

[kmaclea]

I wanted to give a little more detail to (Greg) Livingston's mention of our nascent Clan Society. We are actively looking to build up our member base--so if you have some affiliation, PM me and I would be happy to discuss things further!

We are considering a mid-year roll-back on dues to encourage people to join in this our first year, so definitely PM me before joining so we don't have you join right before a reduction. But I'd love to gauge interest, so if anyone has thoughts on this, please PM and let's chat.

The details:

We have just begun a new Clan Society, which we are calling the Clan
MacLea (Livingstone) Society with the approval of our Chief, Niall Livingstone.

Our new forum is at: http://www.clanlivingstone.info/forum/index.php

Our Clan Society join page is at:
http://www.clanlivingstone.info/ClanSocietyJoin.htm

We are actively seeking members with such surnames as Livingston,
Livingstone, McLea, Maclay, Mclay, etc.

I will personally be at a couple of Colorado Highland Games events this year, and in the future will probably make events in New England (when/if we move back that way). Drop a line anytime!

All best,

[bdkilted]

I am a member of Clan Keith, and am the Texas convener for Kieth.
Since the Keiths were originally part of Clan Chattam, I am also a member of the Chattam society.
See you at the games.

[Mike_Oettle]

A most interesting thread. I did not vote, but I currently fall into the category of those who do not belong to a clan association.
This is because my surname, being German, has no Scottish connections whatever.
My own Scottish connection is through my mother and her paternal grandfather, who was a Fotheringham. (Fotheringham is in fact my mother’s second name.)
Since the Fotheringhams belong to Clan Lindsay (as it is called nowadays – it is a Lowland family grouping), I am looking into my connections to it.
I may well acquire a Lindsay tartan kilt, and might join one of the two Lindsay associations I found on the internet.
Trouble is, one is in Australia, the other in the US – both pretty far away.
We have two Caledonian societies in the city where I live, but I have never been involved in them. I am unaware of Highland games organised by them either.
But it might be interesting to check into all that – if my very English wife will tolerate it!
And in closing, I should mention that I love the kilt. And it has been all too long since I handed in my regimental kilt. Time I bought at least one!
Regards,
Mike