Our History
Follow the documentary record in Mayo while keeping hypotheses clearly separate from established evidence.
Explore history →County Mayo · Ireland · Worldwide
Clan Mac Hale
Mac hÉil Condae Mhuigheo
A Mayo name. A worldwide Clan.
Clan Mac Hale connects people carrying the Mac Hale heritage with the history, places, records and living family network rooted in County Mayo.
A living Clan
Le Chéile. Together.
A family account of the 2023 Gathering recorded 105 attendees from around the world. The long-planned reunion finally brought the Clan together in County Mayo after the proposed 2020 gathering had been lost to the pandemic years.
At the opening-night dinner on July 17, Kathleen Blanchard was elected Taoiseach. The following days combined family history, scholarship, worship, music, a Croagh Patrick climb and a historical tour through County Mayo.
2006McHale Y-DNA project begins
2018Included in the Register of Clans
105Attendance reported for Westport
2026Listed on the current Register of Clans
Rooted in County Mayo
A surname found around the world, but a family story that keeps returning to Mayo.
From Lahardane and Turlough to Crossmolina, Killala, Ballycastle and beyond, place is central to Mac Hale research.
LahardaneTurloughCrossmolinaBallycastleKillalaBallinaWestportBallinrobe
Explore the Clan
History, family and connection
This working site is designed as both an institutional home for the modern Clan and an evidence-based gateway into Mac Hale family history.
Genealogy
Research by parish, townland, civil records, land records, newspapers, family papers and DNA.
Start researching →DNA Project
See how Y-DNA and traditional genealogy work together to reconnect branches separated by migration.
Learn about DNA →The Name
Explore Mac Hale, MacHale, McHale and historical spellings such as McKeale and McHeale.
Explore the name →People & Places
Meet notable Mac Hales and connect family history to the towns, parishes and landscapes of Mayo.
People and places →Archive
Preserve the published Clan newsletters, certificates and records that document the modern revival.
Visit the archive →A Clan renewed
From DNA project to worldwide Gathering
2006
DNA project begins
Kathleen Blanchard begins the McHale Y-DNA project.
2017
Modern Clan proposed
A core group agrees to organize a formal Clan association.
2018
Clan registered
Clan Mac Hale is included in the Register of Clans.
2020
Swinford reunion postponed
A detailed first reunion had been planned for Swinford, but the pandemic prevented the gathering.
2022
The Rising Phoenix
The Clan launches a new newsletter and begins organizing the 2023 Westport Gathering.
2023
Westport Gathering
The first modern Gathering takes place July 17–20 at the Castlecourt Hotel. Kathleen Blanchard is elected Taoiseach.
2026
The next chapter
Clan Mac Hale remains listed on the Register of Clans and begins rebuilding its permanent online home.
Help write the next chapter
Share a family story, identify a photograph, tell us where your Mac Hale ancestors lived, or simply reconnect with cousins around the world.