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Last Updated: Wednesday, 10 August 2005, 06:34 GMT 07:34 UK
Clan gather for historic ceremony
Lough Erne in County Fermanagh is a popular tourist attraction at this time of year, but at the weekend it was the site of a unique ceremony.

The clan gathered for the ceremony on Devenish Island
The clan gathered for the ceremony on Devenish Island

For the first time, members of the Cassidy clan, which originates from the area, gathered on Devenish Island to inaugurate a new leader.

The round tower that dominates Devenish Island dates back to the 12th century.

The island's links to the Cassidy clan go back almost as far.

Its modern day members are keen to keep that history alive.

This summer is the first time a head of the clan has been inaugurated on the island.

Although it is ancient in origin, it is also the first time this ceremony has been heard.

Dr Cathal Cassidy
Dr Cathal Cassidy said a lot of research went into the event

Clan treasurer Dr Cathal Cassidy said: "The ceremony has been resurrected and put together from a lot of the medieval literature that we've encountered in our researches.

"It draws on the symbolism of Cassidys over the last 1,000 years."

But the occasion is more remarkable because the clan's new leader, Dr Sheila Cassidy, does not live in Fermanagh, or even in Ireland.

Her grandfather was born in the area, but she is firmly attached to her home in Plymouth.

Sheila said: "I'm really enormously moved by the whole thing. I'm very moved to be invited to be the head of the clan.

"But coming to this island has been something enormously special for me.

"It just gives me a greater connection with my roots, a greater sense of history.

Dr Sheila Cassidy is the clan's new leader
Dr Sheila Cassidy is the clan's new leader

"My home is very much in Plymouth and I live on the Hoe and have no attention of moving from there, unless I'm dragged screaming."

Sheila will be the first clan leader who will not hold the position for life.

In three years it will awarded to another Cassidy who has achieved success in their field - and there is every chance they will hail from even further away.

But for now the title of "an Casedaech" will rest on the south coast of England.





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