Seven generations of family set for reunion

A family link to the Famine will bring almost 300 people together for the first time this weekend in Cork.

Seven generations of the O’Callaghan family from all over the world will gather for a reunion tomorrow.

Ballinhassig-based Joe O’Callaghan researched his Muskerry family’s genealogy back to the 1830s, when his great-grandparents lived in Cork, and on through famine times.

His great-grandparents had seven children, five of whom later had families of their own. It is the current descendents of those family members who will attend the reunion.

The research led to the family getting in touch with members across the globe, from the US to Britain, Spain, Switzerland, Germany and New Zealand.

Another O’Callaghan family member, Noreen Murray, has compiled a family tree with around 570 connections and hopes to publish a book on the family history.

Mr O’Callaghan said the research came about from the family’s own inquisitiveness about its history.

The reunion will begin with Mass at Farran Church at 3pm, followed by the unveiling of a plaque at Kilcrea Abbey where the family’s great-grandparents are buried.