Barack Obama’s Irish cousin, Henry Healy, who is a coordinator for Ireland Reaching Out, will speak about the Mitchelstown Gathering at a meeting in The Firgrove Hotel on Thursday next, May 30, at 7.30pm and all are welcome.

June promises a variety of exciting events for The Gathering with Galtee walks, dances, reunions and welly throwing. The events will begin on June 1-2 with the Mitchelstown Festival of the Galtees, followed by the International Welly Throwing Championships in Mitchelstown GAA pitch on June 3 at 1pm, hosted by Fanahan McSweeney AC.

On June 16, there will be a MS Galtee Mountain Walk; at 8pm on June 18 there will be a history night in TO Park and from June 21-22, Ballygiblin Hurling Club and the national school will hold a school reunion and honour the championship winning teams of 1963 and 1993.

There will also be an American tea party in TO Park on June 28 while on June 30, there will be a Galtee challenge. See www.thegatheringireland.com or www.irelandxo.com to find local roots or see what is going on locally for The Gathering 2013.