Each week we are blown away by the creativity and hard work being poured into the Gatherings throughout Ireland. This week we shine the spotlight on four special events:

• Irish Redhead Convention – Crosshaven, County Cork – August 23rd-25th
• The Feerick Family Reunion – Westport, County Mayo – September 27th-29th
• Roscommon Military Conference 2013 – Roscommon – May 3rd 
• Parkville United Reunion – Tullow, County Carlow – June 7th-9th

Read on for all the details and links…

Irish Redhead Convention

Ooohh…this is a good one! I wonder if Crosshaven will be safe for those of us less fortunate in the hair hue department this August weekend? Convention founder and organizer, Joleen Cronin, sent in this press release. And there is even a King of the Redheads, King Ginger himself, Alan Hayes!

Fire craicing weekend of festive foxiness to be held in Crosshaven, County Cork.

The Redhead Convention is the brainchild of redhead brother and sister, Joleen and Denis Cronin and will take place for the fourth year running in the beautiful sailing village of Crosshaven in County Cork. It started as a joke in the siblings family pub and succeeded to becoming a gathering of extraordinary uniqueness, attracting hundreds of redheads from all over Ireland and the world.

For the first time this year, the redhead convention will be held over the course of a full weekend from Friday August 23rd to Sunday 25th. The festival, which is also a fundraiser for the Irish Cancer Society promises to be a great fun, with a feast of festivities for all foxy folk from strawberry blonde to fiery red.

Last years foxy frenzy saw 500 natural redheads descend upon the town and they expect that this years gathering will be even more successful.

Red hair is the rarest of hair colours, and accounts for only 2% of the world’s population. The highest percentage of natural redheads in the world live in Scotland at 13% with Ireland reigning in close behind at 10%.

To celebrate this weekend of genetic gingerness there will be a REDgistration stand at the village square, Crosshaven, where you will receive an Official Redhead Certificate of Genuine Foxiness. Other redhead activities included ‘the big red soap box’ dedicated for impromptu redhead speeches and performances, a ginger chef cook, redhead photography booths, art exhibitions and performances by redhead artists and lots of family competitions including ‘best red beard’, ‘longest red hair’ , ‘largest redhead family’, ‘furthest travelled redhead’ and the popular ‘most freckles per square inch’. The coveted title of the 2013/14 King and Queen of the Gingers will also be crowned at the convention. Other activities include carrot tossing championships, a gingerbread man bake-off and redhead themed film screenings.

For those unlucky enough not to be Ginger and Gorgeous there will be red hair dyeing and lots of other action packed events for all the family to enjoy.

• Click here to follow on Twitter
• Click here to view on Facebook
• Click here for official convention website
• Click here to view listing on TheGatheringIreland.com

Feerick Family Reunion

Feericks from near and far are coming together in Westport, County Mayo this September.  This is truly a reunion for the Feericks – they have been keeping in touch for the past twenty years. The family’s history is well-documented, and I suspect the family tree is filled in, so the Feericks are ready for a weekend of fun, stories, and family.

The Feerick / Ferrick name is chiefly associated with Ballinrobe Co Mayo where 12 Feerick families were known to reside in the 1790s.

For 20 years, we have engaged with Feerick family members from the US, UK and Australia and have met members of most “strands” of the family worldwide.

A core team have significant details on the family history, from a body guard to George Washington at Valley Forge, to fallen in France in WW1. The Feerick family history illuminates an extraordinary story of Irish emigration.  2013 seems like a good year to finally get everyone together.

• Click here  to follow on Twitter
• Click here to visit official Feerick Family Reunion website 
• Click here to view listing on TheGatheringIreland.com

Roscommon Military Conference 2013

For the military buffs out there, this is a unique opportunity to learn about the role of the emigrant Irish and their military service. I am sure this conference will have wide appeal, in Ireland and abroad. A fantastic program of speakers is planned for May 3rd. That’s coming up soon!

Military Conference: For Flag and Country – The Emigrant Irish in Military Service.

For over 400 years Irish emigrants have served in the military forces of their adopted countries. At a time when Ireland is recognized globally for its Peacekeeping duties with the UN, this conference explores the history of “The Fighting Irish”.

 

• Click here  to follow on Twitter
• Click here to visit the Military Conference website
  
• Click here to view listing on TheGatheringIreland.com

Parkville United

The Parkville United Football Club of Tullow, County Carlow is celebrating their 35th anniversary in June. Looks like fun!

Weekend of events to celebrate Parkville United FC, Tullow, Co. Carlow 35th anniversary.

The club will attend the Ireland v Faroe Islands game on Friday 7th June, hold a golf classic and dinner dance in Mount Wolseley on Saturday 8th June (with sean st ledger special guest), mass for past and present members followed by family fun day and official opening of facilities on Sunday 9th June 2013

• Click here  to follow on Twitter
• Click here to visit the official Parkville United website
  
• Click here to view listing on TheGatheringIreland.com

Considering a trip to Ireland to attend a Gathering? The Irish in America can help you plan your vacation AND find your roots. Click here for information on our Family History Tours of Ireland.