Our 1984 Search for My Irish Roots

My spouse, Glenn, and I visited Ireland in 1984 to learn about the home of my maternal greatgrandparents. We especially enjoyed staying at the Old Rectory in Rathmullan. Owner Mrs. Maureen Brennan provided kindly, caring Irish hospitality.

In her spare time she combed the woods for edible mushrooms. Being treated to her special teas was a highlight of our visit.
We looked through online Bed & Breakfast listings for 2001 and did not see the Old Rectory listed. It might very well be that our 1984 accomodation experience can at most be shared with you as a memory.

	You may explore Rathmullan Abbey, Friary, or Priory using your favourite search engine. They are all the same place. You might even know someone with surname McSweeney.



	Teachers may give students a Map of Ireland such as one obtained from an Irish Inform- ation Centre. It must show distances between towns. Now show how to read the direction signs shown here. Triangulate to identify the point where Glenn took the photo.

My lifelong friend
Rose Parkerson has
Irish roots. Her
mother was a Ryan.
When we were in
Ireland in 1984, I
bought some knitting
wool for Rose. This
shop is in the town
known as the centre of the Irish woolen industry.

My greatgrandfather
Owen Carr was born
in 1825. He married
Mary Duffy, b. 1826.
Our search for their
home was romantic.
For example, we went
to see the closest
point North America.
It is in Donegal on
Glen Bay. The instant
I saw this cottage, I
knew it shared my
roots. I told Glenn
"Owen Carr lived there."
I did not need to go
any closer. When I
told a villager about
the site the response
was: "Owen Carr lives there now".

Text copyright Nancy E. Bowie 2001. The black and white images at top are property of Mrs. Maureen Brennen. The photographic images are copyrights of Glenn E. Bowie 2001. The logo at left is CorTech Training copyright.