Just joined the site

**Gael Ridire** · 20th August 11, 02:53 PM

I've been a big supporter of the Celtic/Gaelic culture since 1989 when I first covered the Utah Scottish Highland Games then held in Park City. It was like coming home. At one time I was so excited I was a member of three clan societies: Gunn, Kerr, and Kennedy. After a year I settled on my first line that went to Scotland which was Kennedy. After two years I was appointed a national society chieftain/genealogist/archivist for twelve years. Had a clan Kennedy tent at the Utah and Colorado games every year until 2000.

Spent five years on the board of the Utah Scottish Society, and then a month in the hospital where I got the idea of a Utah tartan and starting the O'Brien Clan. I told the late Dr. Phil Smith about the idea of a Utah tartan and the two of us designed one, and I lobbyed it through the state legislature and SB-13, the "Utah Centennial Tartan" was signed into law by then Gov. Michael Leavitt.

Then started the O'Brien Clan of North America Society and in 1997 & 1998 met with Sir Conor O'Brien on the ideas for the clan which lasted until 2000 when a Californian O'Brien decided he didn't like the society website and started his own getting the patronage of The O'Brien. Great, now there were two clan societies, so I folded mine desiring that two societies was no good, and stepped aside for ten years. The Californian did things his way regardless of The O'Brien's opinion and caused a lot of waves with various societies. He then did his DNA and found that he held the surname but not the DNA, and resigned. On the other hand, in 2002 I volunteered my DNA for a university project to see if DNA was a valid genealogical tool. In 2007 I got a phone call from one Kevin O'Brien who informed me that of the 150 persons in the O'Brien Surname DNA project, he and I had the closest match to The O'Brien. Say what?!!! Yep, Kevin and I had a common ancestor about 8-10 generations back, he and my DNA matched 100% at 43 markers. Now I had evidence of my surname being changed on immigration, but my wife won't let me change it back!

So I have my name translated into Gaelic: Garaidh Eóghan Ó Briain, which I'm also known as and truly prefer. In the end last year I was asked my James O'Brien to join the board of the newly formed O'Brien Clan under the patronage of The O'Brien. So it all worked out in the end.

Since 31 July 1992, I've held a grant of arms from the Chief Herald of Ireland, of which I'm very proud of for I feel that I've reclaimed a portion of my birthright. I've researched and written a 3500 page book on my wife's and my ancestry which took 30 years. I'm a medically retired photojournalist with a wonderful wife and three grown children. My two sons married good Scottish descent women (MacIntosh & Baillie), and my daughter married a Slovak who wants badly to be a Celt (at least he wears a kilt). I look forward to having grandchildren, teaching them about their Irish/Scottish heritage through brainwashing, and from toddlers on having them wear kilts. (Did this to my own and it didn't work. Probably cause I didn't start them when bairns.)

I dearly loved wearing the kilt! Strapping it on I feel so connected to my ancestry. Wish to wear it everyday. But due to meds & medical condition I've gained some 50 pounds and won't wear a kilt anymore until the weight comes off. Hopefully someday!!!

My Scottish clans are: Gunn, Kerr, Scott, Kennedy, Douglas, Strachan, MacNeil, Maclean, Robertson, & Fullarton. Plus the Irish O'Brien.