Homeszyn on trail of family heritage.

Today we left Kinvara as we began our journey into the areas from where Cathy's family were last known to reside in County Longford, in a place called Garrowhill, in the parish of Newtownforbes.

 Entering the town of Newtownforbes as we begin our search for Cathy's relatives.

 In the town we discovered the main church, which would have been the family's local parish church, and where they would have all been baptised, and made their first communion.This church had been there since the mid eighteen hundreds, so therefore, would have to have been their local one.

Cathy, inside the Newtownforbes church.

 The one address that Cathy had, was for a place called Garrowhill, and we were given the name of an elderly man, Michael Mc Cann, who lived there, and who might have known the family, or else had information which might be useful. It not only turned out that he knew them, but he had gone to school with all of the younger members, when he went to school himself in Garrowhill.

 Cathy's ancestors, were the McGee's, and Doyle's, and much to our surprise, the old family home was only about a half mile from where Michael McCann lived, and he directed us there. The old home was no longer lived in, but was in surprisingly good condition. In this picture above, we have Cathy and her husband, Jerry, standing outside the old home, obviously delighted at the wonderful discovery.

 We also visited the old school house, which was close by,and here we have a picture of the name plaque outside the school.

 Jerryl and Cathy, pictured outside the old schoolhouse, which is now a B&B.

Michael McCann was also able to direct us to the home of Cathy's long lost cousin, Michael Doyle, and what a lovely friendly man he is. We found the house quiet easily, and fortunately Michael was there. He brought us all in, and we sat in his kitchen, while he made a cup of tea, fed us with lovely home made brown bread, as he and Cathy brought one another up to date on all of their their history, going right back in time.
What a great day this was, and what an exciting one, and one that Cathy and Jerry, and i am sure Michael Doyle and all of his family will remember, as they begin a family reunion after so many years.
My job can indeed be most rewarding.

Homezyn in Galway and Kinvara with Dovechauffeurdrive

Cathy Homezyn and her husband Gerry arrived in Galway today, where i collected them on their arrival. Their visit to the West is mainly concerned with an effort to trace Cathy's ancestry in the Roscommon and Longford regions, where we will be tomorrow. After spending some time in Galway city, we headed for the town of Kinvara, where they will be staying for the next two nights.

 Gerry and Cathy, pictured together on their arrival in Kinvara, with the ancient Dun Guaire castle in the background.

 They were anxious to meet my wife Sue, as their friend Barbara Muir, had visited our home in the past, and they wanted to meet Sue personally. Here we have Gerry, pictured at the rear of our home, with our little pony Taffy.

Cathy and Gerry, seated in our kitchen, relaxing with a good old cup of Irish tea.
Today was a great start to what will be a brief visit this time, but i look forward to traveling with them, and hopefully, finding some concrete information on Cathy's family history.

Tour of west and south west of Ireland ends at Shannon airport

This morning i collected my party in Bunratty, and we made our way to Shannon airport, from  where they were to catch their flight home, after what had been a great ten day tour, and one i thoroughly enjoyed myself. I was sad to have to say goodbye, as they were a really nice group to spend time with, and such great fun.

 Here i am including a few of my favourite pictures from their tour. This one above one showing my group standing in front of the Bunratty Castle, where they enjoyed their banquet last evening.

 Our night celebrating Donna's birthday in the Caragh restaurant in Killarney.

 One of the highlights of their visit to dingle was their visit to this quilt shop near Inch.

Standing together on the Salmon Weir bridge in Galway, with the beautiful Galway Cathedral in the background.

 A nice "All tyogether" photo at Inch on the Dingle peninsula.

Jodi and Rita with their pet lamb, also on the Dingle peninsula.

 Mary, Renee, and Donna in the museum in Knock.

 All the ladies together, inside the Basilica in Knock.
From the left, Caryn, Judy, Renee, Caroline, Donna, Mary, Jodi, and Rita.

I am now nearing the end of what has been a long and extremely busy season, and i can only say that it has been a real pleasure to have spent this touring year with so many really lovely people, and i would like to thank them, one and all, for coming my way, and allowing me the pleasure of showing them some of my beautiful country.

My ladies are now well on their way home as i write, and i wish them a safe journey and extend my thanks to them for choosing my service for their visit to Ireland. It was indeed a real pleasure, and thank you all sincerely for your kindness, gratitude and generosity. You will always be welcome back.

Kinsale to Bunratty with Dovechauffeurdrive and Dave Hogan

This morning we left Kinsale for Bunratty, to complete the final leg of this very special tour. The ladies will be spending this final night in Ireland, enjoying the medieval banquet in the famous Bunratty castle.I think they are going to love it. Our weather today was much improved, so thankfully we had a pleasant journey.Tonight they are staying close to the castle in the lovely Bunratty Villa Guest House, which is an ideal location, if one is attending the Bunratty banquet.

 Karen and Renee getting ready to head for the castle this afternoon, as they exit their Bunratty Villa accommodation.
 All my very special ladies, pictured posing for this nice picture, with the famous castle in the background.
From the left we have, Rita, Caryn, Caroline, Judy, Jodi, Donna, Mary, and Renee. I left them at this point as they were getting ready to visit the famous Durty Nellie's pub, the mustard coloured pub you can just barely see, in the background, over Renee's head. These girls never say no to a nice snack, and the food in Durty Nellie's is very good indeed.

All my lovely ladies, posing with this famous Bunratty castle in the background. From the left we have,
Rita, Caryn, Caroline, Judy, Jodi, Donna, Mary and Renee.

This ornamental monument is located beside the castle, and here we have Donna posing for a nice picture for me.The monument depicts an ancient Celtic brooch.
I am sure that the ladies will have much to tell me in the morning, when i collect them to take them on their short trip from Bunratty to Shannon airport in time to catch their flight back to the USA. I am not looking forward to saying goodbye.

Kinsale on Wild Western Way tour with Dovechauffeurdrive and Dave Hogan

Today, Sunday, was the second last day of our tour, and we were on our way to Kinsale in County Cork. Our destination there was the Mac Donald's Kinsale hotel, and in the picture above, we have the ladies, pictured together on the outdoor patio, with Oysterhaven Bay in the background. This is a lovely location, and the hotel is also very nice.

Here we have the ladies, from the left, Caroline, Jodi, Mary, Renee, Caryn, Rita, Judy, and Donna, seated on a low wall overlooking the Kinsale harbour, with the town off in the distance.

 In this picture we have the famous Charles Fort in the background.

A picture at the entrance to this massive fort,which was built in the sixteen hundreds, to protect this most important strategic port.

Tonight we dined in Jim Edwards pub in the center of Kinsale.

Our main meal was a great variety of everything from sirloin steak, to burgers, to fish, and fish pies, to chicken, with plenty of veggies and potato, and chips. What more could you ask for.
In this picture abov, you can see that we did not finish with the main course, but had to have the desserts, the majority going for meringue with hot rasberries and cream, but Donna went with the Banoffi special.This is a special Irish creation with banana on a crumble base,toffee sauce, ice cream and fresh cream, and it is delicious.Just ask Donna.
Tomorrow we head for Bunratty, and the famous Bunratty castle, where the girls will finish off their tour tomorrow night, enjoying a banquet in this fine castle.Hopefully the weather will be a little better for their final day in Ireland.
I will be sad to see them go, but as long as they had a good time, i am pleased, and i know that they had.

Jameson's Distillery with Dovechauffeurdrive and Dave Hogan

On Friday we were bound for County Cork and the town of Midleton, and the famous Jameson's Distillery. Make no mistake about it, this is as good and as important as any distillery anywhere in the world, and Jameson's whiskey is maybe the world's finest pot still whiskey. We were also destined to visit Cove, the port at the mouth of Cork Harbour from where the vast majority of our emigrants departed, and where the doomed Titanic made its final stop off on its tragic voyage.

Our weather has really been most disappointing, but this group of ladies, have not been deterred in any way, and have been so good to be with. We have laughed so much, and enjoyed many meals together, and they do like their food. In my job, it is disappointing when the weather is bad, and i can even feel guilty sometimes for something that is completely out of my control, but these ladies have never even seemed to notice, as we travel along enjoying our time together. I can only say that this year, i have had many many wonderful people traveling with me, who have added to my life in many different ways. Thank you all.
In the picture, we have the ladies, all together inside the famous Jameson distillery, after enjoying their tour of the distillery, and their samples of this fine whiskey.

We made our way to Cove next, and here you have six of my eight, sheltering from the rain at the entrance to the Cove Heritage center, the actual terminal building for so many sad departures over the years.Where were the missing two?

Where ever they were, they are still missing here. This picture i took outside the Heritage center, with the statues of Annie Moore and her two young brothers, in the background, the first people to register at Ellis Island in 1892.

Last evening, we went to Casita Mexicana in Killarney, a really nice Mexican restaurant, where we all tucked into a variety of great food. Here we have from the left, Mary, Caryn,(hiding away), Renee, Caroline, Judy, Jodi, Rita, and Donna.
This is a place that is well worth a visit, and is located in the center of Killarney and quiet easy to find. Just say "Dave sent you" and you will never know what might happen. Nothing bad i hope.
This weekend, the forecast is still very poor, but we will move on, and continue to make the best of it all. I have a great group who i know will make that happen.

Chauffeurdriven tour of Dingle with Dovechauffeurdrive and Dave Hogan

Today our weather was not very nice but, as it turned out, we had a really great day, loaded with wonderful discoveries by the ladies. We were on our way to Dingle. All of my group of eight are Quilters, bar one, who shall remained anonymous, and are experienced in the art of quilting. Renee had discovered a place she thought would be the kind of place that they would like to visit, a place called "The Sewing Shed". What a wonderful place that turned out to be.

Here we have my ladies, outside the Sewing Shed, with a great display of goodies, which they purchased inside. From the left we have Rita, Renee, Caroline, Mary, Donna, Jodi, and Judy.

There she is, the missing Caryn.

Nikki Foley is a master quilter, and the lady responsible for setting up this wonderful enterprise, where you can not only purchase sewing patchwork and textiles supplies, but can also find classes and workshops. Nikki is English, but married a man from the Dingle area, and returned to this area, and set up her business a short few years ago, and now has people employed, and her business is thriving. I found her place so interesting, and her work so beautiful, a visit here is a must.

Just one example of her work, a selection of lovely tiny sun hats.

A beautiful Christmas piece, with Renee and Caryn to add their own beauty.

Another display of Nikki's work, various scenes from the famous Ring of Kerry.

After spending time at the Sewing shed, we moved on to the beach at Inch, where i found this little fellow standing guard. He was quiet tame, and we had a little chat, before he moved on.

All the ladies pictured with the lovely Inch beach in the background. The mountain range partially hidden by the low cloud, is the Iveragh peninsula.

After Inch, we moved on, just stopping on the way to take a couple of pictures of the beautiful mountain side fields, displaying natures quilted patterns.Here we have Caryn and Renee.

Now it's Donna and Caroline.

There is a special place i visit, where you can see the ancient Beehive huts, and hold a lamb. This was something that Jodi just had to do, and today her wish came true. This little fellow is only five weeks old, and what a little beauty he is.

Jodi really does look happy with her little lamb, and i have no doubt that if there was any way she could have brought him home, she would have.

Now Rita wanted to pet him also and he does look like he is enjoying the extra attention.

Caroline's turn, and this little fellow is being spoiled.

Now it is Judy getting to know him. Just wait until her grandchildren see this picture, they will not be happy until they get to Ireland and cuddle a lamb themselves.

Awww, what a lovely little baby.

Now i am giving him a little tickle under the chin and his coat is so soft and warm.

Here we have my full team standing outside one of the ancient Beehive huts which were home to the fishermen and farmers of old.

This had been another really great day when we also had a visit to the wonderful wonderful jewellery factory of Brian De Staic, where the master jeweller Brian, produces a magnificent range of Celtic design jewellery. All of the ladies made their individual purchases, and will be returning home with magnificent pieces of memorabilia to remind them for years to come of their Irish vacation.
I will remember these ladies also for a long time.