Our Clann Association

The Clann O'Dochartaigh Association

Over four decades ago the O'Dochartaighs became one of the first Irish families to form a clann association. Today, the Clann O'Dochartaigh Association collaboratively unites a worldwide group of volunteers and individuals who share our common O'Dochartaigh heritage. The Association's vision is to foster better genealogical and genetic research and to build our sense of community in organizing periodic Clann reunions.

We believe everyone who shares this heritage should be a part of it. The Association relies on your donations and, as a non-profit organization, it has obtained 501(c)(3) status in the United States so US donors may receive favorable tax treatment for their giving. Ours is an all-volunteer organization—we welcome all inquiries. If you're interested in serving on any of the committees, please contact our secretary, Eva Doherty Gremmert.

Committees joining the Clann O'Dochartaigh Association:

Communication – including our websites, Facebook pages and Association mailing list
Doherty Y-DNA study – formally created in 2004 and is ongoing
Fundraising – for special heritage projects and scholarship Y-DNA kits
Genealogy – collecting family trees and collaborating with our Y-DNA study
Gathering – promoting gatherings of O'Dochartaighs across the world

Meet Our Association Leaders

Executive Committee

Eva Doherty Gremmert

Carnation, Washington, USA

Association President

A woman of many talents, Eva is an author, blogger, public speaker, and business development consultant. She and her husband have operated HBG Services, a tax and accounting firm, since 1984. A year later, Eva traveled to Inishowen for the first reunion in 1985 and has been connected to the Ireland ever since. In 2001, Eva began serving as our Reunion Coordinator, a role which she has successfully executed ever since. In addition to her passion for the Clann, Eva founded the Irish Genealogical and Historical Society and is a Silver Wellness Advocate with doTERRA Essential Oils. Eva uses her experiences raising a child with a life threatening syndrome to empower people, educate, and spread joy.

Joseph Pascal Doherty

Carndonagh, Co. Donegal, Ireland

Association Vice President

Joe P Doherty, known as "Joe Paul" in Inishowen from his family's nickname, was also one of the original members of the Ó Dochartaigh Reunion in the 1980s and continues to be involved in the Reunion's planning and preparation through today, in additional to his serving as a Clann Officer.

Kathleen Travers

Scotland

Association Secretary

Kathleen Travers has been passionate about genealogy for 25 years, sparked by the discovery that her mother’s parents were both Dohertys. She now runs the South Inishowen Family History Facebook Group, helping others trace their roots in the region.

Directors

Brian Dougherty, Goodrich, MI, USA
Daniel Doherty, Victoria, BC, Canada
James Dougherty, Tunnell Hill, IL, USA
Marie Doherty (Turner), Clonmany, Co. Donegal, Ireland
Michael D. Lacopo, Granger, IN, USA
Rosie Doherty Gremmert, Cedar Hills, UT
Will Dougherty III, Williamsvillv, MO, USA
Zack Daugherty, Coral Gables, FL, USA

History of the O'Dochartaigh Clann Association

Paddy Bogside Doherty was a pioneer of community relations in Derry City. In the late 1970s, Paddy reached out to the Irish diaspora and invited them to visit their homeland. He foresaw the potential for international relations and the benefits for Irish tourism. Paddy and other Derry locals promoted development projects and were instrumental in creating the first Clann gathering. Paddy traveled to Michigan to collaborate with Patrick Dougherty, who also had a passion for connecting all O’Dochartaighs with their roots. They planned an international O’Dochartaigh reunion for 1985.

In 1982, Patrick opened the first newsletter of the ad hoc ÓDochartaigh Research Association of North America, with, “The next three and a half years promise to be very busy and (hopefully) productive ones for our Association. Our goal is to reach as many members, of our tribe, as possible, to ensure that we have optimum participation. I am referring to our individual sept (family) reunions, as well as the 1985 Reunion in Ireland … I would suggest building strong septs and holding regular annual reunions. Give your children a good background regarding our heritage. I have never met an Ó Dochartaigh who was not proud of their name! Abha! (Onward) Ó Dochartaighs.”* Pat moved to Inch Island, Donegal and the committee organized reunions from 1985 up to 2020.

Pat Dougherty resigned in 2000 and Eva Doherty Gremmert was nominated as the reunion coordinator. Paddy Bogside passed away in 2016 and a non-profit association was created in 2018 in the US. The pandemic cancelled the 2020 reunion. Eva retired from coordinating and the O’Dochartaigh Clann Association stopped hosting international reunions.

Since 2020, our Association is not currently hosting reunions in Ireland. However, there are local travel companies organizing trips. We encourage all O’Dochartaighs to visit our homeland. Ar nDutcas

*Source: https://www.odohertyheritage.org/newsletter

2025 Events:

March 15th – St. Patricks Day Hangout https://zoom.us/j/92433496518 Code Clann
April 5th – Y-DNA & the O’Dochartaigh Name with Michael Lacopo https://zoom.us/j/97840114076 Code Clann
May 17th – Y-DNA Results Q&A with Zack Daugherty https://zoom.us/j/95937422520 Code Clann
June 21st – Irish class with Mollie (zoom)
July 23rd – Pub Quiz & Meeting in Carndonagh in person

Transparency:

You may find details about our Organization at ccfs.sos.wa.gov. Use the Charity/Fundraiser/Trust Search using the name "ASSOCIATION OF ODOCHARTAIGHS".