Author Archives: Byrne

On behalf of Lt. Col. Charles Artaud Byrne and all at Finte O’Broin, I would like to wish all our members and friends a very happy and prosperous New Year and all good wishes for 2018.

We especially think of our members overseas away from Ireland at this time. We receive many messages from Byrne clan members from all over the world in the run up to Christmas and New Year as people become more aware of their homeland and their heritage.

It has been my privilege to reply to the numerous emails that I receive all year round to welcome people to Finte O’Broin. We are a vibrant and active clan society with representatives around the world keeping our strong heritage alive.

2018 will hold some surprises for Finte O’Broin which we will keep you updated of via the website.

In the mean time, may I wish you all a very happy New Year.

Certavi et Vici,

Derek Byrne CLJ,

O’Byrne of Downes.

I am delighted to report that the Finte O’Broin membership is about to reach the 300 mark!

Since its launch in June 2012 Finte O’Broin has remained a strong and vibrant clan society. We have been responsible for many major eventsing since establishing the organisation most notably the 2013 Gathering which saw many of our clan visit Ballinacor in Co. Wicklow and witness a reenactment of the capture of Feagh Mac Hugh O’Byrne as well as the unveiling of a plaque in his honour by his ancestor Lt. Col. Charles Artaud Byrne.

I am glad to say that in his 94th year, Charles is keeping very well  at his home on Rhode Island, New York and sent kind wishes to all at Finte O’Broin at Christmas.

Last year saw our team concentrate on the highly successful International Napoleonic Congress which was held at the Saint Stephen’s Green Club in Dublin 2. For an entire week, delegates from all over the world were treated to presentations on the influences of the Napoleonic Era on Irish History and revolutionary zeal.

As Finte O’Broin moves towards reaching and surpassing 300 members from within the vast O’Byrne family at home in Ireland and throughout the world, we look forward to building our clan society even more and providing a central meeting point for all who belong to Clan O’Byrne.

Certavi et Vici,

Derek Byrne.

As 2015, with its burden of heavy events propels us into 2016 one ponders the fate of western Christian civilization and her magnificent achievements in Europe, America and across the globe crowned as they are by governments established by the people themselves securing their God given sovereign freedom.

The brilliant emerald in the western crown, the Irish people and their land, gleams today as it will as long as  humankind last. The bright inextinguisable glint flashing from that gem is Clan Byrne.

Clans men and clans women! Let us fill 2016 with achievements brightening the light from the Emerald Isle in the western crown.

A very happy and prosperous New Year to you all.

Certavi et Vici,

Charles.

Lt. Col. Charles Artuad Byrne, Patron, Finte O’Broin, The International Association of Byrne Clans

On behalf of Lt. Col. Charles Artuad Byrne, the board and members of Finte O’Broin/Clan O’Byrne of Leinster, I would like to wish all members of our great clan society a very happy Christmas.

We are reminded at Christmas of the importance of family and the ties that bind us all together across the seas and across the ages.

Nollaig Shona and Peace to everyone wherever you are.

Derek J Byrne

O’Byrne of Downes, OLJ

On the 28th of November 2015, Derek J Byrne, President of Finte O’Broin was invested as an Officer in the Military and Hospitilar Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem in an elaborate ceremony at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin.

The event was attended by Derek’s parents and by other family members and friends. A dinner followed at King’s Inn on Church Street, close to the Byrne family ancestoral home in Dublin.

Becoming a member of the Order of Saint Lazarus is a great honour for Derek, his family and indeed, for Clan Byrne.

The Executive Committee of Finte O’Broin have decided after careful consideration and consultation, to dispense with the term “Order” and any relevant language thereof in relation to the clan society’s merit award.

As and from Thursday the 8th of October 2015, the award will be known as The Raven Medal of Merit.

The reason behind the change is based on the fact that Orders were never part of the ancient Brehon system in Ireland. The rational behind creating an award of merit in the first place was merely to recognise the activities of those who have brought honour and dignity to the Byrne name and was never intended to bestow bogus titles or otherwise on its recipients.

Finte O’Broin is an autonomous organisation with over 300 registered member families world wide. We are not members of Clans of Ireland, however, the organisation was officially recognised by Wicklow County Council in 2013 through a grant which contributed to our Gathering event at Ballinacor, in County Wicklow in July of that year. This event was also attended by the Lord Mayor of Wicklow.

Finte O’Broin remains one of the most active clan societies in Ireland raising an average of 10,000 euro a year for charity and contributing to a number of history societies including the Emmet and Devlin Society and the Napoleon Society of Ireland.

For further clarification or information please feel free to contact me at derek@clanbyrne.com

Sincerely,

Derek J. Byrne,

President,

Finte O’Broin

Today the National Statistics office announced that the Byrne name was the 3rd largest surname in Ireland.

The top three are;

1 – Murphy

2 – Kelly

3 – Byrne

It appears we are a prolific lot!!

On Thursday the 28th of May, Derek Byrne, The O’Byrne of Downes, was presented to President Michael D. Higgins at the Aras in Phoenix Park as part of a delegation from Clans of Ireland.

The President met with the delegation as Patron of Clans of Ireland to celebrate 25 years since the forming of the organisation.

Derek Byrne was present in his capacity as Administrator of Clan Dixon of Meath and was accompanied by his cousin Michael Dixon, Chief of Clan Dixon of Meath and his wife, Marian Dixon (nee Duffy).

On behalf of our Patron and Chief Lt.Col. Charles Artaud Byrne and our Executive Committee, may I wish a very Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to all our clan members at home and around the world.

Today we all feel very proud of our shared Irish heritage as we turn the globe green and bring the good will and humour of the Irish people to everyone we come in contact with.

For those of you who are away from home and your family, we hope that you feel the warmth of Ireland in your heart as we celebrate our national day.

May the luck of the Irish be with you all, may the road rise up to meet you and may you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you’re dead!

Beannactai le feile Padraig.

Derek J. Byrne of Downes,

President,

Finte O’Broin

On behalf of our Patron, Lt. Col. Charles Artaud Byrne and all at Finte O’Broin, I  would like to wish our clan members at home and over seas a happy and prosperous New Year and every success in 2015.

Finte O’Broin continues to grow with now 241 registered families in Ireland and across the world. It appears that Christmas and New Year are important times for those wishing to connect with their heritage as we always have a surge of interest and traffic to the website at this time.

We are delighted to be able to act as a focal point for Byrnes throughout the world and to  provide a connection to the rich Byrne history and identity. All enquiries are answered personally by the team at Finte O’Broin and we have made many friends over the years from all parts of the world.

Neither time nor place can ever deminish the connection we feel for one another and for our great name.

We look forward to meeting more of  you in 2015. And we look forward to continuing the work of our great clan in Ireland and across the globe.

With all good wishes,

Derek Byrne,

President,

Finte O’Broin.