Clann Mhór means Great Family in the Irish language. The name refers to all the Irish workers, their families, and enslaved African Americans—who labored one way or another on construction of the Blue Ridge Railroad and its four tunnels from 1850 through 1860. The longest of these is the Blue Ridge Tunnel on Afton Mountain, Virginia.

Clann Mhór is a small, local research group based in Albemarle County, VA.They are raising money for research and to fund an archeological dig.The group also hopes to  provide educational materials for our community and erect a memorial that honors the workers.

Image Courtesy of C & O Historical Society