News

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.

The 2014 Robert Emmet Memorial event will take place at 2pm on Saturday the 20th of September at St. Catherine’s Church on Thomas Street in Dublin 8.

There will be a lecture by Cllr. Mary Hanafin and all are welcome to this free event which also remembers all those who fought alongside Robert Emmet in the 1803 Rebellion.

Each year I remember my ancestor James Byrne who is commemorated on a plaque on the wall of St. Catherine’s church with others who gave their life alongside Robert Emmet in the ill-fated rebellion of 1803.

Each year, Frank Connolly of the Emmet and Devlin Society organises a fantastic event and interesting lecture for enthusiasts of Irish history. We hope to see members of Finte O’Broin at this important event in our calander.

Derek Byrne,

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 Terry Byrne and his family, the Byrne Clann of Essex County, Ontario, Canada the very best of luck as they celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of their ancestor Michael Byrne of Castlebar in Co. Mayo.

Michael is Terry’s great, great, grandfather who left his home in Mayo during the famine years.

It is wonderful to see that the Byrnes of Essex County maintain their Irisih identity and rich history with such pride and we are sure that their family celebrations today will help to pass that history on to future generations.

With all our good wishes,

Certavi et Vici,

Derek Byrne – O’Byrne of Downes,

President,

Finte O’Broin.

Today marks the anniversary of the capture and execution of Feagh Mac Hugh O’Byrne at Ballinacor in Wicklow on the 8th of May 1597.

Clan O’Byrne of Downes, Cloncurry and Kilcock also welcomed a new addiction to the family on this historic date with the birth of a grandson for Edward Byrne Jnr.

Lewis (Louis), Edward Byrne-Coakley was born on the morning of Thursday the 8th of May 2014 connecting him directly with his famous ancestor.

No doubt, the proud grandfather will take great joy in passing on stories of Feagh Mach Hugh O’Byrne and other Byrne ancestors to young Lewis as he grows up.

La Feile Padraig Sona Duit,

A very happy Saint Patrick’s Day to one and all from all at Finte O’Broin.

Certavi et Vici,

Derek Byrne

We are delighted to announce the introduction of our new Irish Langauge page ”As Gaeilge” today with the inclusion of a poem from Fiach Mac Aodh’s poem book.

From now on, we will build the content of this page to highlight the beauty and encourage the use of the Irish language.

If anyone would like to send content for inclusion, please contact Derek Byrne at derek@clanbyrne.com

It has become traditional at Christmas to invite our Patron, Lt.Col. Charles Artaud Byrne to publish a Christmas message to all members of our clan wherever they are in the world.

I am an Irish Poet. I cannot help myself.

My soul sings …. and I must listen.

For it sings the song of life.

The song of life? Who wrote that?

Why God did. Who else could?

Why did he give it to you?

He gives it to everyone. Not many seem to know that.

True. But the song is there in every soul.

Wishing all our members and the great family of O’Broin throughout the world a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

From Charles, Derek and all at Finte O’Broin.

Picture is of Charles with his eldest son Myles at O’Shay’s pub in Dublin in July 2013 while in Ireland for the Gathering of the Byrnes.