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
Tag: Kerry
Coastguard
I had a letter from my mother's cousin, Keith Walmsley, a few years back. I had asked him what he knew about our Irish forbears - my great great grandmother (who is Keith’s great grandmother) was Mary Hickson, who came out to Australia with her … Continue reading Coastguard
Dingle, the family seat
John Hickson, Notes of Travel, published 1893, page 41: From Valencia we returned along a road overlooking the sea through Killorglin, and regretting exceedingly that we could not remain and enjoy a day’s salmon fishing in the Laune, we went on to Tralee, the chief … Continue reading Dingle, the family seat
Templenoe to the world
An unconquerable passion for the sea shaped the whole course of my early life. No wonder it was so. I was born by the ocean; on the shores of Kenmare Bay in the South of Ireland, not far from the beautiful lakes of Killarney, with … Continue reading Templenoe to the world
Killarney
My daughter, Hanna, and I stayed just outside Killarney for two nights last week, in a B&B we found in Muckross Road. Muckross House and the ruined Muckross Abbey are popular tourist attractions nearby but we did not visit them. We were able to see … Continue reading Killarney
Forgotten tales 