Call to gather

Fitzpatrick 2007
The Fitzpatrick - Mac Giolla Phádraig Clan Society
Fourth International Gathering
Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th July 2007
Newpark Hotel, Castlecomer Road, Kilkenny, Ireland.

The Fourth International Gathering of The Fitzpatrick - Mac Giolla Phádraig Clan Society will be held in Kilkenny, part of the ancient kingdom of Ossory, on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th July 2007. The venue is the Newpark Hotel, Castlecomer Road, Kilkenny, Ireland. A detailed programme of events will be published closer to the date.

The conference

Both days will begin with selected talks or presentations relating to Fitzpatrick culture, tradition, heritage and history. There will be displays of prints, books, photographs, genealogical charts, maps and other items of Fitzpatrick interest. And, most important of all, as at previous gatherings, you will meet with Fitzpatricks you know from the mailing list and whose ancestors for generations have lived in this ancient land. Those interested in contributing to the displays, talks and presentations are invited to make contact with Ronan Fitzpatrick. Anything at all of Fitzpatrick interest will be very welcome.

Suggested topics might include:

· Migration of the Fitzpatrick nation
· Sources of Fitzpatrick history
· Fitzpatrick molecular genealogy
· Descent from Mac Giolla Phádraig
· Famous Fitzpatrick individuals
· Fitzpatricks around Ireland
· Fitzpatricks in Dublin
· The Fitzpatrick built environment - Tower houses, monasteries, homes and burial places
· African, American, Australian Fitzpatricks
· Fitzpatricks in Britain
· My Fitzpatrick story (A number of attendees at previous gatherings related there individual Fitzpatrick story and these individual family accounts proved interesting and popular).

If you would prefer to prepare a poster instead of making a presentation that would be welcome too.

Ancestral search

Everyone attending is invited to display their family genealogy chart in the Ancestral Search Section. While typed charts are preferred, clear handwritten charts are acceptable. Maximum size 12 inches by 16 ½ inches, and send two copies. You can also send an A4 size family leaflet (about 100 copies) for distribution. Hardcopy only. Non-attendees at the gathering in July are also invited to participate and they too can have their family genealogy chart displayed in the Ancestral Search Section.

A non-attending fee of 10. 00 Euro applies.

Important Dates

In order to facilitate detailed planning, those intending to submit materials relating to talks, presentations, displays, Ancestral Search or posters are asked to indicate their intention as soon as possible and to have everything fully submitted before 31 May 2007.

The field trips

There are many interesting sites in Kilkenny associated with the Giolla Phádraig and there are also many ancient Fitzpatrick sites nearby in Co. Loais. We plan to visit as many of these as possible on both afternoons. Sites that have proven popular on previous trips include Cullahill Castle, Aghmacart, Grangefertagh, Clonburren, Ballagh Castle, Errill, Castletown, Aghaboe, Clough Church and Ballaghmore Castle. Sites we've still to visit include Jerpoint Abbey, Kilkenny Castle, Seir Kieran, Gort na Cleig, St. Canice's Cathedral, Granstown, and Gowran.

More details later.

Fee

The fee for attending the gathering is 20.00 Euro per person with family reductions as detailed on the Registration Form.

Please complete the Gathering Registration Form (as soon as possible so that expected numbers can be given to the hotel) and return to:

The Fitzpatrick - Mac Giolla Phádraig - Clan Society,
5 Bancroft Crescent,
Tallaght Village, Dublin 24, Ireland.

Tel:+353 1 4525720.
Email: rfitzp@gmail.com

Searching for The Fitzpatrick

Do you think you are The Fitzpatrick, Chief of the Name? The search continues and if you think you are The Fitzpatrick (or you know who is) then you are invited to prepare a pedigree of your descent from Brian MacGillapatrick (who died 1511 AD.) and a genealogical chart illustrating your pedigree.

The Fitzpatrick - Mac Giolla Phádraig - Clan Society, its agents and supporters regret that they are unable to reimburse any costs or other expenditure whatsoever in connection with these invitations. Submission of a pedigree and chart does not bestow any Title, Honour or Dignity to the claimants.

The Newpark Hotel

The Newpark is a Best Western Hotel which offers the best of traditional Irish hospitality, modern facilities, professional staff and friendly service in one of Ireland's most historic and beautiful cities. Located just outside of this historic city (an gentle walk), the Newpark Hotel will display world-famous Irish hospitality allied with modern facilities, dedicated professionalism and friendly service.

The hotel has a fully equipped leisure and therapy center and is proud of its classical dining experience.

The hotel is offering the following rates to those attending the gathering.

Accommodation:

Weekend rates

Friday & Saturday night package 219 Euro pp sharing 2BB & 1 D
Sunday night supplement 75 Euro pp sharing BB

Child rates - sharing with parents:

Children age 0 - 12yrs 15 Euro BB
Children age 12 – 18 yrs 25 Euro BB

Attendees are encouraged to meet for dinner in the hotel dining room on the Saturday evening.

The current Table d'Hote dinner menu is

€39.00pp

Attendees will be responsible for settling their own dinner account with the hotel.

(Remember, Those availing of the hotel's special weekend offer have 1 dinner included in the rate. See earlier details).

The hotel also offers the following

To help you unwind and relax throughout your stay, you may enjoy complimentary use of our wonderful leisure club, which includes sauna, steam room, a 17m swimming pool, gymnasium and children's pool. You can also pamper yourself in our Health & Beauty Spa with six wet and dry treatments rooms with a range of over 30 treatments on offer. It is advisable to book treatments in advance on 056 7760501.

At night you can relax with a drink in the Scott Dove Bar & Bistro until 12:30 am Sunday to Thursday and 1:30am on Friday and Saturday with live entertainment most nights. (A limited night porter drink service is available until 3:00am)

You can contact the hotel at

Tel 353 56 7760500
FAX 353 56 7760555
Email info@newparkhotel.com
http://www.newparkhotel.com/
http://www.newparkhotelireland.com

Kilkenny

Kilkenny is a medieval city and is the capital of County Kilkenny. It was once the principal stronghold of the Giolla Phádraig. The city boasts many tourist attractions and everything is within a gentle walk of the city centre.

Kilkenny Tourism write, the city itself is steeped in history. Dominated by superb ancient buildings culminating in the magnificent Kilkenny Castle, it brims with character. Winding slipways lead from bustling shopping streets to quiet corners, and clues to the fascinating story of Kilkenny lie in every architectural feature. They continue, the city - characterised by beautifully restored old buildings and winding slipways - is small and compact enough to explore on foot, yet full of fascinating historical buildings and contemporary shops, design galleries and restaurants. The ancient city of Kilkenny - from the "Gaelic Till Cearmaigh" - was named after a 6th century monk called Saint Canice. His memory lives on in the beautifully preserved St. Canice's Cathedral built overlooking the city in the thirteenth century. The Normans arrived in the twelfth century and their legacy remains in the superb and fully restored Kilkenny Castle, and in the thriving and cosmopolitan merchant city. Kilkenny offers a unique selection of historic sites and buildings from the 7th century onwards reflecting a tradition of monastic settlement and gracious living.

http://www.kilkennycityonline.com/info_tosee.asp

Kilkenny is within easy reach of Dublin, Cork, Rosslare and Shannon. The city is served by mainline rail and bus connections.

Intercity train

http://www.irishrail.ie/home/

Intercity bus

http://www.buseireann.ie/site/home/

CIE tours

http://www.cietours.ie/home/

Looking forward to meeting you there.

The Fitzpatrick - Mac Giolla Phádraig - Clan Society is registered with the CLANS OF IRELAND OFFICE

Please forward these details to anyone you think might be interested in Fitzpatrick family research.

To be kept up-to-date with news about Fitzpatrick 2007 make sure that you are subscribed to the society mailing list.