Reflections on the passing of a WW1 veteran Anzac Day, 2024 This morning I attended the dawn service in Speers Point Park, a short walk from home. There were probably a thousand people there, as the familiar words were said, hymns were sung, and the … Continue reading A soldier’s life
Category: Identity
The Killorglin Hicksons emigrate
Killorgin houses seen beyond the old iron bridge – not yet built when the Hicksons left Killorglin, now only for walkers since the railway closed. Back in the middle of the nineteenth century a family named Hickson lived in Killorglin, Co Kerry, Ireland. Husband and … Continue reading The Killorglin Hicksons emigrate
Mostly Irish
My two grandmothers, Winifred Ross and Gertrude Byrne, form the core of my family history. They were second cousins, though as far as I can tell they didn't seem to be aware of it. Their respective grandfathers were brothers, their mother's were cousins. They had, … Continue reading Mostly Irish
Christianity in Kerry
Some of my nineteenth century ancestors were Irish Protestants from Kerry. Four families – Hickson, Needham, Ruddle and Byrne – and five churches – Killarney, Aghadoe, Killorglin, Sneem and Templenoe – were prominent in the family story. What follows is the first in a series … Continue reading Christianity in Kerry
The cross on Carrauntoohil
On my recent trip to Ireland, to the land of my ancestors, I climbed to the top of Ireland’s highest peak, Carrauntoohil, with my friends Simon and Michelle, who make their home these days in Dublin. It was a four hour hike, all uphill, from … Continue reading The cross on Carrauntoohil
Forgotten tales 