Old house on The Kerry Way My friend Simon had graciously offered to come with me on a family history tour of some of the sites of my ancestors’s lives in County Kerry, in Ireland. We had been walking in the mountains of Kerry for … Continue reading Dromore
Category: History
William Byrne, trooper
My mother’s maternal grandparents were Irish. George and Susie Byrne came from Killarney, though not at the same time. Susie came first, when she was 16, with her parents and siblings, in 1877. George, who had known Susie in Ireland before her family left for … Continue reading William Byrne, trooper
The passing of an archbishop
Recently (11 September 2018) I attended Donald Robinson’s funeral. Don was my father’s cousin, 10 years older than Dad. Their mothers were sisters, Gertie and Winnie Ross. I remember Don fondly because, among other things, he was the keeper of the family history, and a … Continue reading The passing of an archbishop
Munster: Kenmare River
I found an old book on my father's shelves. It is called "Munster, Pictured by Alexander Williams, Described by Stephen Gwynn,” and on the frontispiece in elegant cursive writing: "Kathleen Byrne. 1913. From Mother.” Opposite this inscription, on the inside of the cover, my mother … Continue reading Munster: Kenmare River
Tim Fenian
What about this great breaking out in Ireland, is it doing any injury to ye in Kerry? I hope the next letter that you will write to me, that you will let me know all about it. (Letter home, November 6, 1865) So wrote young … Continue reading Tim Fenian
Forgotten tales 