A WORLD record attempt this June bank holiday weekend will see over 3,000 people descend on the Beara Peninsula for a clan gathering.

By Helen Riddell and Sally Collins

Sullivans and O’Sullivans from all over the world will meet in Castletownbere for what they hope will be the largest-ever gathering of people with the same surname.

The record is currently held by the Gallaghers of Donegal, with 1,488 participants gathering in Letterkenny.

To date over 3,000 have registered to attend - from as far away as Montana, Iowa, South America and New Zealand.

All participants must bring valid identification showing the surname Sullivan or O’Sullivan (including Irish-language variants).

There are strict protocols in place to ensure the world record is valid, and anyone who changed their name after marriage should bring their original birth certificate.

The event organisers are undertaking four different counts using electronic turnstiles. The final count will take place on the school’s football pitch, with Sullivans being counted in batches of 50.

Organiser Jim Sullivan said the event would bring a great boost to the area, ‘We’re promoting our heritage. There’s a financial benefit for the area of Beara and Bantry and throughout West Cork because people have to stay somewhere.’

Beara is historically significant for all Sullivans and O’Sullivans as it is the heartland of the O’Sullivan Beare branch of the family.

The name O’Sullivan (Ó Súilleabháin in Irish) traces its origins to the King of the Milesians, who ruled Ireland around 500BC.

The family’s ancient seat was at Knockgraffan in Tipperary. When they were driven from their Tipperary homeland in the 12th century, the O’Sullivans settled in southwest Munster and split into two branches, O’Sullivan Mór took the Iveragh Peninsula in Kerry, whilst  O’Sullivan Beare claimed the Beara Peninsula.

The event will be hosted by the Chieftain of the O’Sullivan Clan, Kelly Sullivan. Jim outlined a number of events taking place over the weekend, including the return of the Berehaven Chalice after 425 years, which will be on display.

The chalice which is currently held by the National Museum of Ireland dates from the 1500s.  It was hidden in a bog at Finaha, west of Castletownbere, in 1602 before Crown forces attacked Dunboy Castle.

Two time capsules will also be buried over the weekend, one with links to Butte Montana, home to many Sullivans over the years.

Con O’Sullivan from Butte, Montana, has created a time capsule crafted from copper  which will also include a piece of authentic Butte copper, symbolising the enduring connection between Beara and Butte.

Among its contents is a heartfelt letter written by one of the oldest women on the Beara Peninsula, born on Bere Island in 1926, to be opened in 25 years’ time.

In addition, JP Gallagher the CEO of Butte-Silver Bow, has written a letter to be read on the day, honouring the 6,000 Beara people who worked in the mines of Butte.

A second capsule, the Beara Capsule, overseen  by Damien O’Sullivan from Castletownbere, will include copper from Allihies and will also contain a stone from O’Rourke’s Castle in Leitrim Village, this location marks the destination reached by O’Sullivan Beare following his historic 1602 march from Beara with 1,000 followers.

For the full programme for the weeknd, including registration see www.osullivan.org