Currie clan gathers to appoint a commander
THIS August will see members of the worldwide Currie, Curry, Currey family (anciently MacMhuirich or MacVurich) gathering in Scotland to take part in two special events.
The Curries will hold a family convention to select their first commander or chief.
This will be followed by a stint at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, with other honoured clans to celebrate the Scottish diaspora as part of the tattoo’s Splash of Tartan celebration.
The Curries were once influential poets and historians to the MacDonald Lords of the Isles and other prominent families and clans.
In a process regulated by Dr Joseph Morrow, QC, Lord Lyon King of Arms, family members will meet at the Trades Hall in Glasgow on August 15 at 2pm for a family convention to select a commander who would act as head of the clan in the anticipation of a later selection of a chief of the Name and Arms of Currie.
As part of the procedure to find that person, the family has conducted an international search for representers. The closing date for nominations is noon on June 30.
The Court of the Lord Lyon, which has jurisdiction in such matters, said there are a number of reasons why a family might hold a family convention. Most appropriately for the Curries, it is: ‘ Where neither blood link to a past chief nor representer of a cadet line can be identified but it is wished to propose a particular person of the surname as commander.’
The proceedings in Glasgow will be overseen by Liam Devlin, Unicorn Pursuivant, as the appointed presiding officer.
Professor Hugh Cheape from the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture said: ‘This kindred [Currie] as “bardic dynasty” with such a remark- able history ought now to be recognised on the wider stage of Scottish culture as a family with an independent role at the centre of a widely connected and well- ordered culture.’
The family is descended from the 13th-century Irish bard, Muireadhach Ó Dálaigh (O’Daly).
Well-known genealogist, heraldist and historian Dr Bruce Durie said: ‘Historically, there never was a Clan Currie or Clan MacMhuirich, with territories and a quasi-military structure.
‘The term “family” is probably inappropriate for Currie, as it indicates the Lowlands. The MacMhuirichs, however, were proud Highlanders, and hereditary bards to a number of clans. They were truly a learned kindred, which may be the best designation for Currie.’
On Saturday August 19 at 10.30pm, as part of an exciting new partnership between the Scottish Diaspora and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the Currie clan, one of a number of honoured families, will march up the Royal Mile onto Edinburgh Castle esplanade and be recognised in a pre-show ceremony. A proud moment for all involved.
The Reverend Dr David Currie said: ‘As chaplain of the Clan Currie Society, I have had the privilege of meeting hundreds with my surname from around the world at our Pipes of Christmas concerts, Tartan Day on Ellis Island and other events.
‘One of the most memorable events for me was marching up the Royal Mile as part of the gathering of the clans event about a decade ago.
‘As we Curries took our place alongside other Scottish families, the only thing that I thought could make it better would be if we could take our place as formally recognised by the Lord Lyon with a commander or chief.
‘After our family convention on August 15 I look forward to retracing our steps later that same week having fulfilled that hope as a recognised learned kindred with a commander leading us to the castle as one of the honoured clans for the Edinburgh Tattoo.’