Limerick school teacher crowned chieftain of clan with more than 20,000 members worldwide

A LIMERICK woman has been elected as the leader of one of the most famous family clans in the world.

Cappamore teacher Nano O'Malley McMahon was the toast of Clare Island, off the coast of Mayo when she became the chieftain of the O’Malley Clan on lands which were once the preserve of the famous family.

She was presented with an ancient staff which is carved with the Irish spelling of the surname - O’Maille - before hundreds of people with O’Malley family heritage.

The O’Malley Clan was formed across Clew Bay in Westport, with the aim of fostering links between people of O’Malley heritage worldwide, and promoting awareness of the family.

“It really was a beautiful occasion. The sun shone on Clare Island. There was a huge crowd of people from Limerick, including four former chieftains,” Nano explained.

At the heart of the island is the castle where pirate queen Grace O’Malley braved the elements in the 16th century.

It was overlooking this tower where mum-of-three Nano was inaugurated

“It felt so special to be in this place - to think someone like Grace O’Malley faced the challenges of the seas here, and we were back in this spot again. During the inauguration, we all stood in a circle and said ‘O’Maille , O’Maille, O’Maille’,” Nano recalled.

Born and raised in Cappamore, Nano's father Eamonn was one of five O’Malley brothers.

Educated as a boarder at Doon, her primary years were spent at Tineteriffe. Now, she works as a special educational needs teacher at Cappawhite National School.

For only the second time in its 70 year history, three women will lead the O’Malley Clan, which has more than 20,000 members worldwide.

Of course, Nano is the chieftain - the leader.

She is joined by Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop, the former chair of the National Women's Council of Ireland, who will be the guardian of the chieftain. And the role of tanaiste and secretary will be fulfilled by Grace O’Malley.

A reforming chieftain, Nano commissioned Cappamore designer Rebecca Palmer to create a cloak to be worn by all the future women who become leaders of the clan.

“Up to this, the male chieftains would have worn a brown cloak. The women if they so wished could wear something else. But I had this created and it will be the ladies cloak going forward,” she said.

A beautiful design, Nano chose three colours.

“The blues and greens of the sea to replicate that Grace O’Malley was the queen of land and sea,and abstract purple, as purple is regal,” she explained.

Robbie Kenneally of city centre jeweller JJ Kenneally’s also carved a unique medal.

Nano wore her new garment to school on the Monday after the Sunday she was crowned.

Entering Cappawhite National School staff in hand and medal showing, there were cries of astonishment.

“They thought it was amazing that their teacher is not only a teacher, but also now a chieftain,” she smiled. “What was fabulous is they asked loads of questions. I gave a brief history of Grace O’Malley and what it means to be a descendent of hers. I also spoke about how important it is to get to know where you've come from. That sense of belonging and rootedness. It grounds you and makes you feel whole.”

One thing Nano loves about being part of the O’Malley Clan is the links she has built around the world.

She’s previously impressed her students with a family tree measuring 20 feet long by three feet wide, with 1,500 O’Malleys present

Following the weekend, there was yet another branch to be added.

“On the bus to Clare Island, there was a man sitting behind me in his late 30s. I found out he was Michael O’Malley from Florida. Like me, he was a teacher who came with 11 members of his own family. He had done the history of the family. It turns out his great grandfather was a Michael O’Malley from Bottomstown in Murroe! The O’Malleys at Bottomstown and our O’Malleys were descendents. We were cousins - Michael has already made contact and they are coming next summer!”

She's referring to the O'Malley Rally, the main event in the clan's calendar, which will next year take place in Limerick - and which she will organise.

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Already a huge number of activities are planned for the final weekend of June 2024.

There will be an Irish music session in Murroe-Boher, a history session in Cappamore, while Nano has discovered a little-known link between the O'Malley Clan and Ardnacrusha Power Station!

There will be a walking tour of historic Limerick, while Nano will have her own castle for the night, having booked out the banquet in Bunratty! The children won't be forgotten - an O'Malley Olympics event will take place.

And the new chieftain will be inaugurated at the city’s most historic monument, the Treaty Stone.

Hundreds of O'Malley's from across the globe are expected to descend on Limerick for the weekend.

“It will showcase Limerick. We have a beautiful city. With the developments down by the water, we have such a pretty city to take a walk through. It needs to be tapped into and showcased,” Nano added.

There are other things planned, which she cannot disclose quite yet.

But whatever happens, Nano is going to take on her year as chieftain with huge enjoyment.

It is after all, a year when she can call herself 'The' O'Malley, the clan's first citizen.

“What I'd like to see more of is younger people getting involved. Your past is very important to you and connecting with people with a commonality is lovely and very important,” she said

“As you get older in life you lose your parents, you become more aware of the importance of connecting with people and not being afraid to make new connections. By being part of this clan I have met and made some really lovely friends,” she concluded.