Clann Chaomhánach is registered with the Clans of Ireland, the agency set up to coordinate the activities of all Irish Clans.
This site is an opportunity for us all to share news, family history, and more with Cousins from all over the world.
MEET OUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Here are some of the people who work for, and on behalf of, the Clann Chaomhánach. Without them, and many others like them, the Clann could not survive. The time & effort they contribute for the benefit of others is nothing short of amazing (or lunacy)
Celia Kavanagh-Boylan
Executive member and Clann Genealogist
Celia was Chief of the Clann in 2002-2004 and descends from the Garyhill branch of the family.
Her great grandfather Martin Cavanagh moved from Galway to England during the famine years. His brother and many of his descendants emigrated giving Celia a very international family.
Interests are family history and finding records and connections for folks worldwide.
Cathal Cavanagh
Cathal Cavanagh, son of Charles Cavanagh of Greencastle Co. Donegal and Eva Hanly of Co. Limerick. Born in 1939, in between two sisters.
Educated at University College Dublin 1957 – 60 (B.Commerce) and University of Chicago 1963 -66 (MA and Ph.D written prelims in Economics).
I worked successively in the Department of Finance, Dublin , EU Commission Brussels (1976 -.79) and European Investment Bank, Luxembourg (1979 – 2004).
In addition to broad sporting interests (I played schoolboy rugby for Munster and
subsequently GAA sports in Brussels and Luxembourg), I have always had an abiding interest in the Irish Language and in history.
As a result of contacts between Executive Member Celia and my cousin Fr. Charlie in 2003, I joined the Clann and attended my first Gathering in 2004.
Through Dr.Gary I discovered evidence that an ancestor and his brother had travelled north to the Siege of Derry in 1689, probably from around Bunclody, in the regiment of Col. Charles Cavanagh of Clonmullen. Both brothers remained and settled in the vicinity of Derry when one brother fell seriously ill as the regiment was departing.
I was elected Clann Tánaiste in 2010 and inaugurated as Chieftain in 2012.
Lorna Harris
I was born in East London, South Africa. My parents were William Ernest Kavanagh and Patricia Iona Kavanagh nee Matz. My grandparents were of Irish, English and German descent. My husband and I met when we were both in our teens and married eight years later.
The Lord has blessed us with our daughter, two sons, and six grandchildren, and they are our greatest joy.
In 1971, we went into a motorcycle and boat business with Ian Scheckter, brother of the Formula 1 World Champion, Jody Scheckter, and have spent many years involved in motor sport. We are now retired and are restoring a lovely old home and its beautiful garden. I am so thrilled to be part of Clann Chaomhánach and the lovely country of Ireland.
Kathleen Kavanagh-Sawtell
I was born in Detroit, Michigan to Jim and Theresa Kavanagh. My siblings are Jim (GermanJim), Mary Kavanagh Laszko and Susan Kavanagh Priest who have all attended past gatherings and met many of our cousins. I retired from an international tour company after 20 years.
My position was to train travel agents on different travel products and sales skills. I also was able to talk to consumers about destinations and travel styles around the world. My position involved extensive travel throughout the world and now I spend my time finishing up family research that was started by my late brother and enjoying my grandchildren.
I first went to Ireland with my siblings in 1994 and spent a great deal of time climbing around ruins, graveyards and churches. In 2013, I helped the Clann organize a History Conference in Chicago which was hosted by German Jim.
This meeting was a chance for others 'cousins' to meet and discuss their own research, problems that occurred with research and some of the pitfalls that happen when you first start researching your family. If you have considered it, the DNA program offered through the Clann can be another valuable source for your genealogical efforts.
Ben H. Kavanagh
Born in Mississippi in 1939, the oldest son of Ben and Mary Patton Kavanaugh.
Graduated from Mississippi State with a BS in Electrical Engineering. In 1963, I moved from Mississippi to Huntsville, Alabama, where I now reside. Spent my entire working life as a computer programmer / analyst. During the space race I worked as an Engineering Programmer. Following that helped to design and program a large Payroll Personnel System used in more than 100 major corporations in the English speaking world.
I continued to work with this system for some 35 years as the company that owned it was bought and sold.
One of my early hobbies was genealogy, which I managed to pursue during work related travel.
Began corresponding with Michael Kavanagh in 1995. After a couple of letters, I joined the Clann that same year and attended my first Clann Gathering in 1996. I became a Clann Organizer for Mississippi and Alabama in 1996, Executive Committee Member in 1998 and the Clann Treasurer in 2001.
Jimmy Kavanagh
Terry N. Kavanagh
Born in Hamilton New Zealand. I descend from Thomas and Ellen(Moylan) Kavanagh who arrived in Napier, New Zealand in 1860. I moved to Australia with my family in 1977.
My first contact with the Clann was in 2004 when I joined to enlarge my resources base. I became a Life Member in 2006. My first Gathering was in 2008 at which time I became a Member of the Executive and Organiser for Victoria Australia. I attended the 2010 Gathering in Bunclody as well.
I am passionate about everything Irish. My aim within the Clann is to assist where and when I can, also to assist other K/Cavanagh's find their connections.
Fergus Kavanagh
In the summer of '96 I heard Michael Kavanagh being interviewed on radio, regarding the 1996 Gathering which was due to be held that September. His enthusiasm was interesting, exciting and contagious, hitting a cord within me, as nothing had done before.
Subsequently I attended the Gathering and I loved every minute of it. I've lived here in Ireland all my life and yet every time I go to a Gathering I get the same boost, that magic feeling in my chest returns and has my heart skipping a beat or two, as it did when Michael popped his head inside the door of the packed gathering office and said, " Are there any Kavanaghs here? You had better get moving, the bus is about to take off on the tour". Everybody in the office moved to the door. That feeling of kinship and belonging is absolutely magic!
Well two years later I was elected to the Executive Committee and have been working directly for the Clann since. In ' 99 I was delegated to represent the Kavanaghs on the Board of Directors of Clans of Ireland. This Job has added another dimension to my experience and development. C of I are generating considerable appreciation and respect in Government, Genealogical, Historical and Tourist Agencies. I have great hopes of many good developments in Clans of Ireland, developments that will prove beneficial and constructive to our own clan.
My original reason for joining the Clann was to help me further my research into my family tree and secondly to learn more about the Kavanagh origins and history. In my own researches I have had greater success in the non-Kavanagh side of my family, but I hope to correct this imbalance now that I've recently retired from my job as a printer. The Clann has kept me busy over the past few years, and the big plus for me is the number of friends I have made, from all over the world. I most certainly have got much more out of the Clann than I was able to put into it.
Daniel J. Kavanaugh
Born in Seattle Washington USA Oct 1948 to Owen P. and Delia Brady Kavanaugh.
I grew up & went to High-School. Worked for Boeing for three years. Then did some traveling first to San Fransico for a year in 1970 and then to Chicago for a year, trying to find myself I guess. Moved back to Seattle area in 1972 where I went to trade school at South Seattle Com. College.
I took a course in commercial truck driving and started the class in 1973. A month later I met the Jeanine who would become not only my best friend but also, a year later, my wife. We have been married 28 years now.
In 1974 I joined the Seattle branch of The Irish National Caucus of America. In 1980 its members merged with Irish Heritage Clubs of America. I worked on everything from peaceful marches to entertainment, dances, Gaelic football, Hurling matches and more. I talked about going to Ireland for years and finally in 1992 my wife told me to go. She said if you don't like it you don't have to go again. So I got ready to go but I had an accident with a horse and had to travel the following year.
I went to Ferns, met Jim Gethings & Pat kavanagh and joined the Clann. I became a recruiter the same yearr. In 1994 I was asked to sit on the board and I have continued to do to this day. In 1995 ran for Clann Chief and won with the largest amount of votes 96%. I Was inaguarated in 1996 with 9 family members making the trip to see it. WOW I still get goose bumps when I think about it.
Since then I have worked on the Micheal A. Kavanagh and MacMurrough awards. I have also written articles on many items including Lk. Cavanaugh and Mt. Cavanaugh which will be climbed this year. I've made many friends and we all share a common bond. I believe that Donal and Dermot must be mighty Proud of us all.
Caomhanach ABU!
Gary L. Cavanaugh
I was born in Blockton, Iowa to Col. Michael A. Cavanaugh and Jean Yvonne Audas-Menelaus. My family line descends from the Ballyloughan sept of Co. Carlow, Ireland.
I was educated at various schools in Vienna, Austria, New York, California and Iowa. Later I attended Drake University and the University of Iowa. I served as in the US Air Force as a Flight Surgeon with the rank of Captain from 1969 to 1971.
In 1967 I married Sylvia Elaine Willaims and we have two children; Tara & Corey.
I am a Board Certified Psychiatrist, practicing in Stockton, California since 1973 and I am also a member of the Clinical Faculty at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine beginning in 1973.
I have been a member of Clann Chaomhánach since 1993 and I have presented a number of papers on Clann history at various gatherings since then. I was elected to the Executive Committee of the clann in 1996, serving as chairman from 2000 to 2002.
I take an active interest in Irish music and play the uilleann pipes.
Mark R. Cavanaugh
I was born in the hospital at Travis Air Force Base, California in 1954 to Milton Ronald (Ron) Cavanaugh and Phyllis Jean Nelson Cavanaugh. My earliest known Cavanaugh ancestor is Daniel Cavanaugh who, according to family records, was born in Brooklyn, New York around 1755 and was killed in action serving in the Continental Army during the American Revolution.
I grew up in the Seattle, Washington area where my ancestors were pioneers. I earned an undergraduate degree from Arizona State University and a graduate degree from the University of Southern California.
In 1981 I married Jill Genine Gaulin and we have two children, Paul and Stephen.
I am retired after spending most of my career in the defense industry negotiating and managing contracts with the United States Government, international customers and other defense companies.
In 2006 I became a member of Clann Chaomhánach, was elected to the Executive Committee and I have served since then as the Y-DNA C/K project administrator at Family Tree DNA.
I am a professional drummer and a very amateur golfer.
Thomas W. Kavanagh
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Son of George M. Kavanagh and Mary Whitney, great-great grand-son of Patrick Kavanagh, the Immigrant (1844), of Inchicore, Dublin.
I grew up in Maryland, received college degrees from the University of New Mexico (BA 1971, PhD 1986; MA George Washington University 1980) all in Anthropology/Ethnology.
I have worked as Researcher at the Smithsonian Institution, and as Curator at the Mathers Museum, Indiana University and at Seton Hall University.
I have taught Anthropology at George Washington, Georgetown, Seton Hall, and Bridgewater State Universities. In 1979-80, I worked for the Hopi Tribe of Arizona.
I am currently the Consulting Anthropologist for the Comanche Nation of Oklahoma, and have published several books and articles on Comanche culture and history.
Since retiring in 2015, I have expanded my research focus to include ancient Irish craft items such as the so-called Satchel of the Shrine of St. Aiden of Ferns.
I first joined the Clann in the 1990s, but let that lapse. After retiring, I rejoined, and attended my first gathering in 2016.
Jack Kavanaugh
John G. Kavanagh
Bridget Dalton Kavanagh
Born 1948, near Kildavin Co. Carlow, into a farming family claiming descent for the Sept of Clonmullen.
Read pharmacy at University College Dublin, Graduated with honours 1969 (B.Sc. (Pharm) Head of Quality Control, Production Management, R&D in pharmaceutical industry Married near Boris 1975, raised three children. Managed a pet and veterinary shop/hospital in Carlow.
Membership, Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland 2001 Currently in Community Pharmacy management. Further studies ongoing into evidence based pharmaceutical patient care. Inherited my family's folk memory and an abiding interest in history and heritage.
Met Michael Kavanagh in the early 90's prior to the first Clan gathering and was one of the founding group along with Michael. I am the Clann Historian with a duty to convey an understanding of the complexity of our clann's history, Serving member of the Executive Committee. I have served terms as Chairperson of the Executive committee, Hy Kinsella History and Heritage Committee, Tuatha Laighin and Clans of Ireland. From 1998 to 2000 I had the honour of server as Chief of Clann Chaomhanach.
Apart from matters relating to history and heritage, I have a keen interest in theatre, and politics.
Patrick Cavanagh