My Irish great great grandfather wrote a book called Notes of Travel, in which he recorded impressions of a journey around the world with his daughter, Alice, in 1893. Alice was 20 years of age, born in Australia, unlike her father. John’s sudden and unexpected decision … Continue reading A visit to Killorglin in 1893
Category: Origins
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
William and Mary: a Kerry romance
Mountains and valleys of the MacGillicuddy Reeks: with my friends Simon and Michelle. August 2019 When I stood on the summit of Carrountoohil in August last year I was almost exactly midway between Killorglin, on the northern side of the Iveragh Peninsula, and Templenoe, on … Continue reading William and Mary: a Kerry romance
Back to Kerry. Part 1
A good few of my ancestors came from County Kerry in southwest Ireland. They went by various names - Hicksons, Needhams, Ruddles and Byrnes. I visited Kerry for a few days in August and found myself thinking a lot about them, my forebears. I marvelled … Continue reading Back to Kerry. Part 1