News

The Byrne Clan annual charity walk for MS Ireland surpassed the 40K mark yesterday as Edward Byrne and a team of walkers completed the 25K stretch from Maynooth to Croke Park in just over four hours.

There to meet them as they reached the finish line was new Lord Mayor of Dublin, Paul McAuliffe who has invited the intrepid group to celebrate at the Mansion House within the next few days.

The annual walk, which is the brain child of Edward Byrne, started in 2012 as a genealogical project walking from the O’Byrne of Clonmore and Kilcock ancestral home in Mullingar to the current family home on the Navan Road in Dublin along the Royal Canal.  The family have a long standing connection to the construction of the Royal Canal which has featured in every walk since.

Congratulations to all who completed the walk which this year was in aid of an MS local cause and highlights what can be achieved when people come together to support a noble cause.

Earlier this month, I invited our Patron Lt. Col. Charles Artuad Byrne, who is now a young man in his 90s, to send me a greeting for all our members at Christmas. Below is the message which Charles has sent.

At this time of year, we receive an upsurge of interest in Finte O’Broin as many people at home in Ireland and overseas become more cognisant of the importance of family ties, family history and traditions.

On behalf of all at Finte O’Broin, I would like to wish all Byrnes, wherever you may be a very happy and loving Christmas and a prosperous New Year.  Derek Byrne

Christmas Message from Lt. Col. Charles Artaud Byrne – 2018.

Dear Derek,

Greetings to each Clan Byrne member with every wish that the member and Clan procreate and prosper. 1949 was the year I first set foot on my Great Great Grandfather’s soil at Ballinderry Hall near Rathdrum and Crony Byrne.  In 1818 he brought his wife, Mary Russel Byrne, five daughters and three sons to America aboard a packet that landed miles from the Atlantic at Alexandria, Virginia, on the Potomac River a few miles below Washington. Despite the madness of today’s world I believe Ireland and the United States are positioned to share a strong and bountiful future. A growing Finte Broin will find its place and earn its share.

Certavi et vici,

Charles

On behalf of our Hon. Clan Chief Lt. Col. Charles Artuad Bynre and all at Finte O’Broin I would like to wish the members of Clan O’Byrne in Ireland and around the world a very happy Saint Patrick’s Day.

It is particularly difficult for those of you who are away from home, family and friends today. Take comfort in the knowledge that when you are Irish you are welcome everywhere and you are remembered fondly by everyone who knows you here in Ireland.

Today the whole world celebrates the Irish so we hope that all of you who are Byrnes and of Byrne decent will celebrate your identity with your family and friends on this special day of our Patron Saint.

With all good wishes.

Derek Byrne

O’Byrne of Downes

President, Finte O’Broin.

Come one come all – calling all Wicklow Byrnes and fellow county men who will be in New York on St. Patrick’s Day!

An open invitation from Kenneth Deegan, President of the County Wicklow Association

Thomas J Byrnes of Oakland New Jersey sends us details about the County Wicklow Association which will march in this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City on Saturday March 17th.

If you are interested in marching with the CWA please meet at 11.45am at East 47th St. between 5th and Madison Avenue (after Boy Scouts of America and before Brehan Law Society)

Don’t forget to dress smartly as the various groups are judged.

All the very best of the luck of the Irish to Thomas and his family on St. Patrick’s Day!

Derek 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.

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.

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.

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