Sullivans and O'Sullivans invited to attend clan gathering for world record attempt
The five Sullivan brothers from Adrigole, who were lost during the Second World War, and after whom the US navy destroyer USS The Sullivans, was named. Picture: Richard Mills
A woman whose grandfather was one of five Irish-American brothers killed on a US warship during a major naval battle in the Pacific Ocean during the Second World War is spearheading a drive to create a world record for the number of Sullivans and O’Sullivan's gathered in one place.
Kelly Sullivan, the chieftain of the Sullivan clan, is asking as many people as possible with the surnames to attend the clan gathering in Beara Peninsula, West Cork, from May 30 to June 2.
Ms Sullivan is the granddaughter of Al (Albert) Sullivan, born in 1922, who was the youngest of the five brothers who all died when their ship, USS Juneau, was sunk by a Japanese submarine during the Battle of Guadalcanal on November 13, 1942.
The ship broke in two and sank in just 20 seconds. In total, 687 sailors perished. Just 10 survived. Al’s brothers Joseph, Francis, Martin, and George all died as well.
A Hollywood movie was subsequently made about them in 1944, which was factually inaccurate as it depicted all five dying onboard the vessel. In fact, Al and George managed to make it to a lifeboat. Al succumbed to his injuries the following day. George is believed to have got hypothermia and, after a few days at sea, he fell out of the lifeboat. His body was never recovered.
HISTORY HUB
If you are interested in this article then no doubt you will enjoy exploring the various history collections and content in our history hub. Check it out HERE and happy reading
Their deaths represented the greatest loss of military personnel ever suffered by an American family in the war.
To honour the brothers, the US navy later named a ship after them – USS The Sullivans – which was the first American warship to be named after more than just one person.
It saw service in the Second World War and the Korean War, before becoming a museum piece at the Buffalo and Erie Naval and Military Park in New York.
The Gallagher clan from Donegal currently holds the record for the largest gathering of people with the same surname, but Kelly is determined her clan will take over the title.
She is urging as many people as possible to register their attendance at OSullivanClan.org.
The weekend will feature a full programme of family-friendly events all over the Beara Peninsula.
Meanwhile, to coincide with the clan gathering, the famous Berehaven Chalice will be put on public display in Castletownbere for the first time in 425 years.
The chalice, which was made in the 1500s, is being loaned by the National Museum of Ireland to Cork County Council’s commemoration committee.
It was hidden in a bog at Finaha, west of Castletownbere, in 1602, before English forces arrived to attack Dunboy Castle.
Historians believe it would have been in the church where Dónal O’Sullivan, then chieftain of the O’Sullivan clan, attended Mass before his famous march to Leitrim the same year.
As it is so valuable, it will be guarded during the display by gardaí and staff from the National Museum of Ireland.
It is being described as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for local people to see the gold and silver chalice displayed in their community, as many of their ancestors from West Cork and South Kerry would have seen it in these regions in the late 1500s.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
