Bernadette, Mary, CatherineWhat you missed! Eileen having her own family reunion in Banbridge. She met her second cousin for the first time (No this is not a play on words.). The get together on Wednesday night at the Shelbourne Hotel for those who spent the night in Dublin. Thursday tour of the General Post Office and the symbolic flower laying by Michael to commemorate the Irish Patriots. The visit to the Collins Barracks Museum and the trip back on the LUAS (it's a train). The session in Cryan's Bar in Carrick-on-Shannon. The next day (Friday) St. George's Heritage and Visitor's Center, and than the walk to the Workhouse and Famine graveyard. After lunch a visit to the newly refurbished St. Mary's Catholic Church and the Costello Memorial Chapel. Ken showing us how to cut Leitrim crystal and Mitchell trying his hand at cutting the crystal. Later meeting all the relatives in the Leitrim community Center. We had lots food and beer and wine, but still had the fortitude to later make our way to Donnellan's Pub. The bus tour of lovely Leitrim on Saturday; we rode on an old train in Dromod, saw even older machinery, including some famous buses and airplanes. Eileen was nearly left behind! The Arigna mining experience and the fabulous drive there. Fiona Farrell Dolan insight into Dromahair (she married a local recently), and our visit to Parkes Castle. The kids learning how to make butter by doing the "frog". Admiring Glencar waterfall even as it started to rain. The singsong along the way. Not enough rebel songs for Michael, but we did sing Lovely Leitrim. Tola singing with Ann and I while many slept, including his mom Orla. A quick change of clothes and a rush back to the community center as the tour took longer than we planned. The lovely Irish music provided by the Geoghegans and Seamus Sweeney. At the end they were joined by Aiden Beirne and Pat O'Meara. The three McWeeney sisters (Aiden's nieces) doing their Irish dancing. Good food, good company, more wine and beer. Mitchell's speech on behalf of Papa Joe. The singsong where everyone sang. Mary took out the bodran. Joe Dolan's guitar was passed around. Pat on the tin whistle. A few even danced, including Colleen, with her Irish jig. Sunday morning the Mulvey's were early for mass in St. Joseph's Church, five carloads of them. The Priest offered a special intentions for all attending the reunion. The opportunity to attend Cemetary Sunday in Kiltoghert graveyard, and remember all the Mulvey's and Farrell's who are buried there. The tea and scones at Orla's with the photo opportunity at the old Farrell homestead. For some a leisurely cruise in the Moonriver on the Shannon. The visit to Ballinwing House and the traditional photo taken at the front door...so many camera's, we were glad when a neighbor took charge. A quick visit to Willie Joe's before our final farewell. Tea and Catherine Egan's apple tart with ice cream (not to be missed). The speeches (short) from a Representative of each family and the prize giving for the golf. A visit to Mae who was recovering at Fiona's house from hip replacement. On Monday early morning visits to Dublin AP. And for some a subdued dinner in Luigi Malone's (Everyone was real tired). More trips to the airport, but no tears.
What I heard I missed. Tom Mulvey being recognized by a Irish soldier in St. Stephen's Green, who asked him if he had flown the troops to the Congo (which he did, amazing isn't ). Shannon at Dublin AP, his flight was 45 minutes early. The only time anything was ahead to time all weekend. The visit to the Leprechaun Museum. The craic at the golf. The trip to Croke Park. Gerry Delaney took the three lads to see their team lose. Jim Mong doing the Heimlich maneuver. The Sweat House at Parkes Castle (from all accounts a tight squeeze and not suitable for a bad back). The Mong family discovering all their roots are in Leitrim when they visited Mong Hill. The walk with John Mulvey on his farm where Mitchell, his sisters, and the Mongs went herding cattle in the rain (no novelty to me, so I stayed in the car). Drinking Poteen in Willie Joe's - designated driver and I do work for the tax man. Sunday night in Donnellan's and the night club in Carrick. Some had to claim to be Mulvey's to the night porter in the Bush Hotel. My sleep - too many late nights and early pickups.... I know I was often late! But most of all.......Marianne and Joe who helped organize the reunion. Bill Doutney RIP.....he would have told us how we were all related.....and of course our beloved Liz who watched from above and ensured that everything went as planned. She would have enjoyed it, just as those who attended did!
