Diaspora invited to Clonakilty to help town celebrate 400 years

Come home to Clon, the kettle’s on: that’s the motto of Clonakilty as it launches a programme of events commemorating its 400 years in existence — and invites emigrants back for a visit.

Four centuries of history, heritage, and culture is to be commemorated with a calendar of activities which will be launched this week to mark the official establishment of Clonakilty in 1613.

From a torch-lit march of light on New Year’s Eve to a year-long series of lectures, and a Micheal Collins commemoration, the programme involves a wide variety of events organised by community groups of all kinds.

The programme is being launched by historian and scholar Dr Matthew Potter at 8pm on Friday at O’Donovan’s Hotel.

Town mayor Cionnaith Ó Súilleabhaín will host the evening which will also see the launch of a collection of invitation postcards with which local people can invite their relatives home to enjoy the 1613 celebrations.

“Anyone with relatives from Clonakilty living abroad can send the card — to the Clonakilty diaspora, inviting them to come home in August for the special gathering events,” explained John Loughnan, the chairman of Duchas Clonakilty Heritage, which is overseeing the programme of events in conjunction with Clonakilty Town Council.

“The diaspora of the town will enjoy the celebrations around the Clonakilty 400 programme and also the Gathering, and renew old acquaintances,” said Mr Loughnan.

“If there’s ever a good story out of Clonakilty, this is one — it gets people focuses on celebrating our existence and our survival for 400 years — it’ll be great for the economy, great for tourism, and it’ll put a pep in our step. It’ll help us forget the recession and forget the floods and move forward,” he said.