Senior executive officer Longford County Council Mary Gouldsbury, chairperson of the Farrell Clan Robert Farrell, ambassador for the Australian Farrells Bill Farrell, director of services, Longford County Council, Barbara Heslin, Farrell Clan Chieftain Charlotte O’Ferrall, Cllr Peggy Nolan, Cllr Kevin Hussey, An Cathaoirleach, Longford MD, Longford County Council meetings administrator Lorraine McKee, Cllr Paul Ross, and Cllr Padraig MacNamara, An Cathaoirleach, Granard MD.

Farrell Clan Rally honoured with official welcome by Longford County Council

Published: Sat 25 Jul 2026, 11:45 AM

Longford County Council celebrated the Farrell Clan’s links to the area with an official welcome on Monday (July 20) to highlight the history and connection between them and their ancestral home .

The event marked the start of a series of events across the county as part of the Farrell Clan Rally 2026, which concluded yesterday Friday, 24 July.

Almost 200 guests from Ireland, the UK, America and Australia were welcomed by Cllr Kevin Hussey, Cathaoirleach of Longford Municipal District, to Áras an Chontae to mark the opening of the 10th International Farrell Clan Rally.

It started with a tour of The Camlin Quarter in Longford Town, an area with deep historical links to the Farrell name. A gathering also took place at The Remembrance Garden on Great Water Street before the official welcome in Longford County Council buildings, and a Parade of Nations through the town, led by the Longford Pipe Band.

A highlight this year was the inauguration of the new Farrell Clan Chieftain, Charlotte O’Ferrall, who succeeds her father, Conal, who led the clan with dedication and distinction since 1993.

Cllr Hagan said he and council colleagues were “delighted to see so many people here, having travelled from near and far to reconnect with their Longford roots and celebrate the enduring legacy of the Farrell name”.

“On behalf of the people of Longford, I want to thank you for your continued enthusiasm for your ancestral home. I hope your time here is filled with great memories, warm reunions, and the opportunity to enjoy all that our wonderful county has to offer during this year’s Farrell Clan Rally.”

Deputy chief executive of Longford County Council, John Brannigan, said: “It is a great privilege for Longford County Council to welcome the Farrell Clan back for this gathering in 2026. Seeing families and friends return from across Ireland and around the world to celebrate their Longford roots is something that fills us with great pride.

“The Farrell Clan Rally has a long and valued history, as the first gathering was more than three decades ago, in 1993. Since then, it has become a wonderful celebration of heritage, community and family, helping to keep the strong connection between the Farrell Clan and County Longford alive for future generations.”

Longford County Council director of services Barbara Heslin, who closed out the ceremony, wished the attendees the best for their time in Longford and hoped they would return in the future: “To all our visitors, thank you for choosing to spend your time in Longford. We hope that during your stay you will enjoy our county, strengthen family connections, make new friendships and create memories that will last for years to come.”

An official welcome is one of the highest honours awarded by Longford County Council and is reserved for individuals and groups whose achievements bring pride to the county and their local communities.