Special News

The National Archives of Ireland has announced that the records from the 1926 Census will go live on 18 April 2026.

A systematic government census of the Irish population was taken every 10 years between 1821 and 1911. The 1901 and 1911 censuses are the only surviving full censuses of Ireland open to the public. Both censuses cover the island of Ireland and were released to public inspection in 1961 and made available online in 2009.

No census was taken in 1921 due to the Irish War of Independence. The first census of the Irish Free State was taken in 1926.

You can read about the digitisation of the Census records here: Census 1926 digitisation project

You can find details about the information contained in the Census records here: Census 1926

Photos from the 12th International Clan Gathering held in Ireland in June 2025 are now available:

• Visit to Clare Library: Visit to Clare Library
• Registration: Registration
• Civic Reception: Civic Reception
• Guided Walking Tour at Dysert ODea: Guided Walking Tour at Dysert ODea
• Inauguration of Kevin O’Day as new Clan Chieftain: Inauguration of Kevin O’Day as new Clan Chieftain
• Foynes Flying Boat Museum: Foynes Flying Boat Museum
• Farewell Banquet: Farewell Banquet

At a ceremony held at the O’Dea Castle during the 12^th International Clan Gathering in June 2025 in Ennis, Co. Clare, Kevin O’Day from Missouri, USA was inaugurated as Taoiseach (Clan Chieftain) of the Dysert O’Dea Clan.  He will hold office until 2028 when the next Clan Gathering is due to be held.

You will find a complete list of the Clan Chieftains here: Clan Chieftains

At the 12^th International Clan Gathering held in June 2025 in Ennis, Co. Clare, Karen Dwyer of Newry, Northern Ireland was elected as Tanaiste (Chieftain Elect).  She will take up the position of Taoiseach (Clan Chieftain) at the next Clan Gathering due to be held in 2028.

You will find a complete list of the Clan Chieftains here: Clan Chieftains

A revised Constitution for the Dysert O’Dea Clan Association was approved by the Triennial General Meeting held at Ennis, County Clare on 14 June 2025.

You can view the updated Constitution here: Clan Constitution

The Dysert O’Dea Clan is a Registered Member of the Clans of Ireland.  The current membership certificate is shown below.

You can read about the Clans of Ireland here: http://www.clansofireland.ie/

The current membership term for Members of the Dysert O’Dea Clan Association ends on 30 June 2025.

You can renew your Membership of the Clan Association online: Membership Renewal

If you have a PayPal account, you can pay using PayPal.  Otherwise, you can pay using your Credit Card or Debit Card.

If you’re not sure of your membership status, please contact us by email here: Please check my Membership Status

Dear Clan Members,

Here is a message from the Dysert O’Dea Castle Committee.

“As a result of Covid 19 restrictions and a severe downturn in business, including the closing of Dysert O’Dea Castle in 2020 and 2021, free admission to the Castle for members of the O’Dea Clan Association has been withdrawn indefinitely, effective from 16 March 2021, by the Castle Committee.  It is hoped that Dysert O’Dea Castle will reopen again in 2022.”