The first Rally of the Clans, was announced at the official launching of An Tóstal in 1953. The second President of Ireland at the time, Seán T. O'Kelly, declared: "An Tóstal will be a time of pageantry and national rejoicing, in which the Irish Clans from far and near come together in joyful reunion". In this, the President appeared to be giving a new, more dignified meaning to the word. In a debate in Dáil Éireann shortly afterwards on 16 June 1953, the meaning of the word Tóstal was debated, and its suitability was questioned with a reference to an old Irish-English dictionary, by O'Reilly, published in Dublin in 1821 where the word “Tóstal” is defined in English as “arrogance, pride, envy”. However, although the meaning of the adjective Tóstalach remained “arrogant, conceited”, the noun was better defined: “ 1. Assemble, muster, array; 2. Pageant, tattoo” (military) by Niall Ó Dónaill (1908-1995) in his dictionary Foclóir Gaeilge-Béarla, published in 1977, complemented by the English-Irish Dictionary of Tomás de Bhaldraithe (1916-1996).
The Rally of the Clans took place early the following year, Easter 1954, with the O’Donnell Clan in premier place: it was the last to fold to English domination, and would be the first to arise phoenix-like. Thus the O’Donnell Clan Association was born out of the O’Donnell Clan Rally at the Rally of the Clans under the auspices of An Tóstal, in Donegal. At the time, this was under the patronage of the Lord Bishop of Raphoe, whose own appointment used to be subject to the Jus Patronus of the O’Donnell kings and princes of Tyrconnell. The sanctifying role of the Church had always been a crucial element of inaugurations. Thus after 350 years, a new Chief of the Clan John O’Donel of Monkstown, was inaugurated in 1954 with the derbfine concurrence of Count Gabriel O’Donell von Tyrconnell, et al. and having been already gazetted as Chief of the Name in 1945. Back in 1954 a similar inauguration, of Geoffrey O’Donoghue of Enniscorthy, took place in Killarney, County Kerry, in the shadow of Ross Castle.
Other clans followed suit, and while some may have a hereditary chief, others, in the spirit of tanistry, have elected chiefs with term limits usually of a few years, and including a few cases of women chiefs, or simply a presiding chair. In any case, since the original gazetting of Chiefs of the Name by the Chief Herald, was on the basis of male primogeniture (at odds with tanistry, let alone with gender equality), and several controversies arose, one should note that the the Chief Herald no longer extends courtesy recognition as the Attorney-General deemed there was no statutory basis for it.
The ODCA has been re-formed and renewed again in 1989, and in 1997, and now in 2024 (process underway). During the past years since the passing of the late Vincent O’Donnell in 2021, the ODCA had effectively ceased to function. This was partly due also to the decease of former members of its “Committee”, and other factors. Following consultations between the historic principal branches of the O’Donnell Clan, and several others who had manifested continuing commitment to its renewal, agreement was reached in February 2024 on a way forward.
This has included renewal of the membership of the ODCA in the encompassing Clans of Ireland organisation, following negotiations with that body. Accordingly we are pleased to announce that the ODCA membership in Clans of Ireland has been renewed after an extended hiatus of absence. The ODCA therefore participated in the Clans of Ireland Cultural Summit and Annual General Meeting on 12-13 April 2024, represented by the delegate chosen by the Interim Council, Amb. Francis M. O'Donnell.
The Clans of Ireland held their Cultural Summit and Annual General Meeting on 12th and 13th of April 2024, including visits to Newgrange and the ancient royal capital, the Hill of Tara. Reference to the historic role or prominence of the O'Donnells of Tyrconnell was made by other Clan leaders and by historians or conservation experts who participated. Several follow-up actions will be planned.
The Register of Clans has been updated for 2024. However, so far many of the clans historically associated with the Lucht Tighe of Tyrconnell, or allied to the O'Donnells, have not yet registered. These would include Begley, Breslin, Crawford, Dunlevy, Gallagher, McColin, Gillespie, McDonnell, McGonnell, McGettigan, McLinchy, McGroarty, McSweeney, O'Cahan, O'Clery, O'Ciaragain, O'Cullinane, O'Doherty, O'Friel, Timoney, Ward (or variations of same). Other Donegal clans that are already registered include: Boyle, McGinley, McGrath, and MacLaughlin.