The purpose of The O'Donoghue Society is to promote a deeper understanding of the individual family histories of those that carry or have carried the O'Donoghue name, and its many variants. We extend our knowledge of the origins and history of the name itself through specific and general communication and research..

• Maintaining a dedicated web site for the Society, which will allow easy interaction between members, and a regular flow of information. The web site is not used for advertising of any sort, other than members’ own personal publications relevant to the purpose of the society.

• Maintaining a database of individual family history data, research interests and general source material, with the objective of supporting members’ research programmes, and connecting similarly interested people and related family groups.

• Providing an enquiry service to members for their family history research, and endeavouring to advise members on how to meet their objectives.

• Publishing a quarterly journal on the web site with contributions from anyone interested in providing suitable material.

• Promoting the conservation of documents, monuments and other material of special significance to O’Donoghue history.

• Encouraging and participating in gatherings of like-minded people brought together by a common interest in their heritage·

• Undertaking projects of a cross-society nature, where an extended period of time and effort is required to achieve a result.

Our approach is best described as participative, with everyone encouraged to contribute to the society’s and each other’s aims. We aim to provide value for money, but the payment of a subscription should be viewed, fundamentally, as an investment for future benefit, rather than a transaction for immediate service provided. We seek to be professional at all times. We avoid excessive rules and work on the basis of mutual support and enjoyment. We try, to the best of our ability, to protect people’s privacy in areas they request (the society is registered under the UK Data Protection Act - registration number Z6848743). Critical decisions are taken, wherever possible, in consultation with members. Whenever the name O’Donoghue is used, it should be interpreted as your name however you spell it.

Regions in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, UK and USA have been established and we aim to have coordinators in place for each of them – but this depends on those willing to help in this way at any one time. Co-ordinators have access to The O’Donoghue Family History Database and other genealogical resources held by the society, and handle enquiries from members. Rod O’Donoghue acts as the point of reference for those issues, which have been unable to be addressed locally, and initiates contact between members where a potential connection is recognised.

There will many other areas where people can contribute their time and effort to support the society and we will define these as time goes by.