Dunhill, Co. Waterford and the surrounding area is set to be a hive of activity this summer as the far flung branches of the Power Clan are set to reunite for a 5-day Bank Holiday Weekend of fun filled and interesting events.

The event, organised by a Dunhill-based steering group, has secured flagship funding through Waterford City and County councils – the only family event under the Gathering/IPB funding programme to do so.

Michael Power, Chairman of the steering group gave some insight into the planned festivities – “Visitors to Dunhill, Tramore and Waterford next summer can enjoy a fantastic programme of organised events from historical walks and lectures, to boat trips, horse racing and of course good food, great music and Irish craic.”

The event will open on Friday May 31st with traditional music and a tree planting ceremony at Dunhill’s unique wetlands before moving to a specially erected marquee, overlooked by the ancestral seat of all Power families – Dunhill Castle.  Visitors that first night will be treated to the famous Booley House show – a mix of Irish music, dance and song.

Eamonn Murphy of the Irish/Newfoundland group commented “The 5 day event will be centred around a different area of interest every day, with events and trips focussing on links to the Power clan.  We hope to visit Gardenmorris, Curraghmore House and of course Waterford City, giving our overseas visitors as much of the true Irish experience as we can.”

There will also be plenty of opportunity for visitors to check out their family history, get some information on the Power Clan DNA project, meet long lost friends and make lots of new ones.

The event, part of the national government initiative, The Gathering 2013, hopes to attract visitors from areas overseas where emigration by Powers was the strongest, focussing on strong existing links with Newfoundland, Canada, amongst others.

Senan Cooke, DFBA, added “There is a fantastic range of events planned for this long weekend – we have a battle re-enactment taking place, depicting the age old alliance between the Poers of Waterford and the O’Driscolls of Cork who long were a thorn in the side of Waterford City.  We will take patrons down a local emigrant path to where their ancestors might have departed for the New World and they will see and hear stories and music relevant to their forebears, whether they are Powers by blood, by kin or by friendship !”

Do you know anyone named Power or Powers and think they might be interested in this exciting event ?  If so, the steering group have set up a website and a Facebook page to promote the event – lots of information regarding travelling to Waterford and the Power Clan Gathering itself is available on PowerClanGathering.com 

Alternatively contact PRO for the event, Conan Power, on [email protected]