2026 Newsletter
Lalor Clan’s Worldwide Appeal for Members
The Lalor, Lawlor, Lawler Clan Ireland is in existence for nearly forty years and one of its main purposes is to hold an annual clan gathering which it does every July. The 2026 event this year will be on 10th, 11th, 12th of July and the purpose of the gathering is to bring together, from across the world, as many of the name as possible and to bring them to County Laois, their ancestral, and sometimes their inherited homeland.
At the inception of the clan this plan was extremely successful, attracting several hundred of the name to the annual gathering which consisted of games and amusements for the younger generations with social events and an annual banquet and dance for the adults to draw the events of the weekend to a close.
For the adult members there were tours to locations with a Lalor connection such as Mullaghmast, Co. Kildare. This place was a massive ancient rath with an amphitheatre style structure. It was to this location, that the members of the seven Septs ( or clans) of Laois were invited on a pretext of a peace conference by the English Settlers. However, when the members of the clans entered the structure all the entrances and exits were secured and the soldiers set about murdering those in the rath.
Other tours included visits to Tennakill House, Raheen, Mountrath, the ancestral home of Honest Patt Lalor, MP, one of the first Catholics, with Daniel O’Connell, “The Liberator”, to be elected to the British Parliament following the granting of Catholic Emancipation in 1829.
It was Honest Patt Lalor, with Daniel O’Connell, “The liberator” who spearheaded the drive for Catholic Emancipation in the Midlands of Ireland at that time. He had, at a public meeting in Maryborough (now Portlaoise) publicly declared that he would no longer pay the hated tithe tax which was for the upkeep of the Church of Ireland and the promotion of the Protestant religion. He was approached by Judge Moore with the promise of a bribe that he would not have to pay the hated Tithe tax which was levied on the population, regardless of their religion, if he abandoned his tithe campaign. Needless to say Lalor rejected the Judge’s offer.
Other tours included a visit to the of grave Fintan Lalor, eldest son of Honest Patt Lalor. James Fintan, who is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery, was a journalist and he wrote extensively about the land question and the plight of the landless farm labourers. He was also a Young Irelander and he served six months in Jail for his part in the Young Ireland uprising in the 1800s. His writings greatly influenced the leaders of the Easter Rising of 1916.
And of course there are the other children of Honest Patt Lalor: Peter, leader of the Gold Diggers at the Eureka Stockade at Ballarat where he was seriously wounded and had to have his arm amputated. He had to go on the run with a price on his head but was persuaded to stand for election and won the seat which he held until he retired from politics. He pioneered much social changing legislation and is regarded in Australia to the present time as the “Father of Australian Democracy”.
Another son of Honest Patt’s was Richard, who had emigrated to Australia with his brother, Peter but he had to return to Ireland when his father became ill. Richard succeeded his father as an MP and fought for land reform in Ireland during his time as a member of parliament. He was also active in the Repeal movement which had been established by Honest Patt to repeal the Act of Union which resulted in the abolition of the Irish Parliament and brought the administration of government in Ireland under the remit of Westminster.
Other children of Honest Patt emigrated to the United States and one of his daughters established an order of nuns. Some of the male emigrants became involved in American politics and in the Military serving on both sides in the American Civil War.
Other tours of areas associated with the Lalor clan include The Rock of Dunamase, a picturesque rocky outcrop on which the O’Moore clan built their castle. The Lalor clan was the second in ranking to the O’Moore clan and were regular visitors at the castle when plans for insurrection were being formulated.
Dysart graveyard, a very remote and ancient burial ground , where many of the Lalor clan are interred and is also a regular location for tours.
The name of O’Lalor is also included in Spanish history. Two nephews of Honest Patt Lalor Joseph and James O’Lalor who lived near Mountmellick, Co. Laois , were disinherited under the Penal Laws, of their property. They immediately left for Spain with a reference from the Bishop of Kildare and commenced military training at the Royal Military Academy in Madrid. They distinguished themselves in subsequent military campaigns and at the outbreak of the Peninsular War James was secunded to the Command staff of the Duke of Wellington. He distinguished himself in the campaign and was mentioned in despatches , The Spanish king rewarded James with the titles of Duke of Ripalda and Marquis of Lima. James married into Spanish nobility and currently his descendants are involved in Spanish politics and trade and commerce with one female winning a seat at the European Parliament.
The foregoing is only a brief synopsis of the contribution made by many of the clan in the histories of Ireland , Spain, USA, Australia and many other parts of the world, including South America. We would love to hear from Lalors or anyone else with the different spellings of the name.
New Chieftain Brings New Life to the Clan
The new chieftain for the 2025/26 year is a young lady, Sarah McKenna Dunne with impeccable credentials for the post as a number of her forebear filled the post with distinction. In her acceptance speech Sarah said: “it is an honour to have been elected as the Lalor Clan Chieftain for 2025/26 . I was filled with emotion as the robe of office was draped around my shoulders and I began to follow the piper led procession into the hall to be presented to the clan members. I thought of family who had been elected as Chieftains over the past years, Marion Lalor Gunn and John Eldon, and thought of how proud they would be if they were here to see this inauguration.”
Sarah added “The Gathering is a legacy event to not only the Lalor name and heritage but also to the committee and members, who for over 30 years, have ensured that the Lalor history is kept. “I’m hoping, as Chieftain, that I can bring a new spark of energy and excitement to our gatherings for another 30 years. There are great plans happening in the background for our 2026 event and I hope we will continue to have great support and loyalty from our friends, old and new, who want to see our Gathering have a bright future” Sarah added
Clan records to be microfilmed
Representations have been made by the clan Secretary, Mary Lalor O’Mahony to Thomas Carolan, Laois County Council Heritage Officer to have the archival records of the clan gatherings, meetings and outings microfilmed so that they can be made available at clan functions. It is also hoped that a copy of the documentation will be lodged at Laois County Library headquarters in Portlaoise. Mr. Carolan has promised to meet with the County Librarian to discuss the project which he said had great merits from historical and genealogical aspects and which would substantially boost tourism in Laois. There is an extensive number of locations in the county associated with the Lalor name including The Rock of Dunamase, Mullaghmast, the scene of a terrible murderous massacre, Dysart Castle, ancestral seat of the Lalors, Lalors Mills where the infamous document consigning the members of the Seven Septs of Laois to the inferior lands surrounding Tarbert, Co. Kerry.
Then there is the famous Lalor family from Tennakill, Raheen, Mountrath. Head of that household was “Honest” Patt Lalor, friend and supporter of Daniel O’Connell, “The Liberator”. Lalor and O’Connell were elected to Westminster following the granting of Catholic Emancipation in 1829. “Honest” Pat’s eldest son was James Fintan Lalor, revolutionary, land agitator, author, Young Irelander who was imprisoned following the abortive uprising in Tipperary. His writings on land reform and the plight of the small land holder and the farm labourer received widespread public support at that time.
His brother, Peter, who emigrated to Australia, finished up as the leader of the gold diggers at Eureka, Ballarat and was wounded in the attack by the police and militia when the latter overran the Eureka Stockade. Lalor went on the run with a price on his head but when a case against some of the diggers was thrown out of court he came out of hiding and was persuaded by the diggers to stand for parliament and he was elected. He held many government posts in his long term as a public representative. He is highly revered in Australia to this day and is regarded as “The Father of Australian Democracy”.
Another son of “Honest “ Patt was Richard Lalor who had emigrated with his brother Peter but returned to Ireland to take over the management of affairs in Tennakill when his father’s health declined. Richard was elected to his father’s Westminster seat. He regenerated The Reform Club which had been established by “Honest” Patt with a view to overturning the Act of Union which had abolished the Irish Parliament and brought this country under the direct rule of Westminster.
A daughter of Honest “ Patt” established an order of nuns in America and a number of other siblings entered politics in America.
Remember James Fintan Lalor
We, of the Lalor Clan, should be immensely proud of one of our number, James Fintan Lalor who is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin.
He has never been accorded the honour and respect that should have been his because of his prosecution of the cause of the small farmer and the farm labourer. He was a rebel in so many ways. The eldest son of “Honest” Patt Lalor, MP, James Fintan was a Young Irelander and for his involvement in the abortive Tipperary Rising he was sentenced the six months in prison which contributed to lasting damage to his delicate health. The most popular of the Irish nationalist politicians of that time was Daniel O’Connell, “The Liberator” and the man who achieved Catholic Emancipation in 1829. O’Connell was a regular visitor, at Tinnakill and to say he was not enamoured of James Fintan’s aims and ideals to securing Irish freedom from Britain, would be an understatement. But despite O’Connel’s dislike of James Fintan’s modus operandi and political viewpoint, James Fintan would not change his convictions which included armed revolt against the British Empire if necessary.
His contribution to the Irish nationalist political ethos of his time has been greatly ignored. He was a later major influence on some of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising and Eamon de Valera, founder of Fianna Fail and later President of Ireland, was also very impressed by James Fintan’s outlook for the future of Ireland.
It would be a timely and appropriate gesture to elevate the memory of James Fintan and perhaps an annual commemoration at his Glasnevin graveside might be considered by the clan members.
This is an appeal to the world wide Lalor family to honour one of their own who suffered imprisonment for his ideals and was not afraid to take on the might of the British Empire at its height by his writings and political actions.
Your views and ideas in respect of the honouring of James Fintan Lalor can be sent to the Clan Secretary, Mary Lalor O’Mahony, Boley, Abbeyleix, Ireland or to
The Late James( Jim) Lalor
The Lalor Clan lost a very valued member earlier this year with the death of James Lalor, The Heath, Portlaoise. He had joined the clan at its inception and had held a number of officerships during his membership. Sincere sympathy is extended to his wife, Mary, and their family on the loss of James.
Late Eamonn Lalor
The Lalor clan also lost another long standing member with the demise of Eamonn Lalor, Beechlawn, Garryhill, Bagnalstown, Co Carlow. Eamonn served as chieftain of the clan and he worked very hard to raise the profile of the organisation during his tenure of office. The deaths of Jim and Eamonn will create a void which will be hard to fill. The clan extends its sympathies to the families of both gentlemen who made a huge impact during their membership.
Officers for 2025/26
| Chairman: | Patrick A Lalor |
| Secretary: | Mary Lalor O’Mahony, Boley, Abbeyleix, Co Laois |
| Treasurer: | Paddy Lalor |
| Clan Chieftain: | Sarah McKenna Dunne |
All correspondence to be directed through the Hon. Secretary, Mary Lalor O’Mahony of the above address.
The Lalor Clan appreciates the financial grant allocation and support of Laois County Council and Creative Laois.
This newsletter has been sponsored by Cllr. Paddy Buggy and the clan thanks him for his interest. The development of the social aspect of the clan will eventually benefit the county from improved tourism business.
The dates for the 2026 Lalor/OLeathlobhair annual festival are as follows: July 10th,11th and 12th July 2026
Accommodation can be booked by contacting The Manor Hotel, Abbeyleix, at 0578730111. Mention you are attending our Lalor Gathering weekend for a discount.
Annual subscriptions are available at the 2026 annual festival from the Clan Secretary, Mrs Mary Lalor O’Mahony Boley, Abbeyleix, Co Laois, 32KOWO, Ireland
Clann Chieftain: Sarah McKenna Dunne
email:
Clann Chairman: Patrick A Lalor,
9 Timberroe,Mooneenroe, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny.
email:
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