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It is with no small measure of regret that the 2020 reunion committee
has taken the decision to postpone the planned O'Dochartaigh Clan
reunion in Ireland this summer. Based on the information contained in
the Irish Government's recently released plan, for exiting the Covid-19
crisis, it has become evident to us that the reunion would not be
possible within the limitations which are being imposed in terms of the
reopening of businesses and holding of large gatherings. COVID-19 virus, the unique worldwide pandemic, is now causing new challenges on many fronts globally, nationally, and locally. This situation is and has been changing on a daily basis but we got a good deal of clarity on the Irish situation on Friday May 1st, when the Irish Government issued their road map to ease Covid-19 restrictions and reopen Ireland's economy and society. Please read the press release https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/e5e599-government-publishes-roadmap-to-ease-covid-19-restrictions-and-reope/ . Especially note the restrictions outlined in Phase 4 and Phase 5. Based on Ireland’s ongoing review process, Phase 4 is scheduled to begin 20 July and Phase 5 is scheduled to begin 10 August. These restrictions, although necessary, have made it so that we now are making this announcement of postponement. At our O’Dochartaigh Reunion events, we come together in Ireland from across the globe. At each reunion since the first one in 1985, attendees arrived from the United States, Britain, Australia, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Canada, Scotland, Spain…and the list goes on. We consider each of you our friends. You are in our hearts and on our minds especially now. The pandemic has made our worlds smaller by limiting our movements but it has made our family bonds stronger as we support each other through these unprecedented times. We look forward to catching up, as a clan, as soon as possible and we appreciate your ongoing support as we deal with this upheaval. At this stage it has become evident that we must refund insofar as possible all attendees. Our initial terms and conditions applied a non-refundable €40 fee and we have collectively, as a committee worked together with our suppliers to reduce this BY half to €20 (additionally currency fluctuations may work to your advantage). Our volunteer members of the committee have incurred costs during the planning since the previous reunion in 2015. Administrative costs over the past five years include website hosting and management, registration supplies, bank fees, advertising and promotional printing, mailing costs, venue deposits and raffle prizes. Total 2020 reunion expenses paid to date are €3203.84 euros. We are humbled that we have already received €306 euros donated to help sustain our reunion until we meet again. We are very grateful for these kind and generous acts of support. The O’Dochartaigh Reunion committee is a committee of the Association of O’Dochartaighs, a registered 501(c)3 non-profit corporation in the United States. Your donation will be greatly appreciated and could be tax deductible. Meanwhile, please have patience as we work out the details of this change. We will be back in contact as soon as we have more detailed information about any future plans. We are all disappointed that we can’t meet together this summer as we planned, but we believe that postponing our scheduled event is the only prudent action to take for all concerned. The O’Dochartaigh Reunion Committee |
Go n-éirí an bóthar leat,
Eva Doherty Gremmert, Ó Dochartaigh Clan
Worldwide Reunion Coordinator
odochartaighreunion@gmail.com