In November 1865, 14 year old Tom Needham wrote a letter home to his older sister in County Kerry, Ireland. Tom was a 14 year old sailor on the HMS Narcissus, a frigate in the British Navy, which was, at the time of writing, deployed … Continue reading Missing home
Tag: Templenoe
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
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
Thomas Needham, wandering Kerry boy
Out of the wandering Kerry boy He was to fashion a man of God whose chief delight it henceforth should be to preach that gospel which is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. (From Cannibal Land to the Glory Land, p.51.) … Continue reading Thomas Needham, wandering Kerry boy
Places in Kerry – family origins
Our Irish forebears originated from County Kerry, in the South West of Ireland. A number of places in Kerry are significant in the family story: Killarney, home of the Byrne family, Killorglin, home of the Hicksons. Templenoe, home of the Needhams. Sneem, a few miles … Continue reading Places in Kerry – family origins
Forgotten tales 