Clans

In many places and cultures, people are known by their last name ,and that tells where you belong or where you came from. I explained my grandmother’s name to my Airbnb host, then gave my great-grandmother’s name. “Ah, yes, Clancy, that is a Donegal name.” When I said Fleming, my grandfather’s name, she replied, “That’s a Leitrim name.” My mind scanned through the many documents I collected prior to this journey and I believe my great-grandfather was from Leitrim, something I saw in a census or marriage or birth certificate.

I learned about clans studying British Literature reading Beowulf. Characters are known by their family history. Allegiance to the clan, being brave and heroic shows loyalty to the group under siege from Grendel, and Beowulf is richly rewarded and esteemed, so much so we have this story that exists from 7th to 9th century.

Clannish has a more nuanced meaning, excluding others, holding a group together by any means. I hope there is a way to hold on to the best of clan, brave, heroic, loyal, yet willing to go against the clan when the well being of one or more are under siege.

I saw evidence of the power of clan is unexpected places on a walk: 12th century burial practice, Abbey stones, the rock walls built to show one’s land boundary, and hedges to show today’s boundaries.