Ireland: Kilmeena and Newport

On our second day in Westport, our cousin Gemma picked us up for the day to take us on a lovely tour of Kilmeena and the countryside surrounding Westport.

Below is a photo of me and Gemma in front of the school my mom attended when she was visiting Ireland as a child.

We went to the house where my grandma was born.  Her brother, my Great Uncle Jim, and his wife Delia still live there.  I hadn't seen them since I was 13.

My family and me with Jim and Delia in 1994

Jim and me with Jim and Delia and cousin Kerrie in 2015

It was really special for me to see my Grandma Lydia's brother again.  He reminds me a lot of her.

They live on a farm and you can see the sea from the back of their property.

Beautiful view

My grandma attended school in the building behind me.

Next we went to Newport to visit my great uncle Tiny (my Papa's brother).  He is a musician and played several songs for us on the accordion.

Like my Papa Lou, he is a great carpenter and craftsman and he wanted to show us his wood workshop.  When we got outside, we ran into my Great Uncle Ambrose!

Ambrose, me, Tiny, Jim

What a great day.  I can't even express how special it was to meet with three of my great uncles and exchange stories about my grandparents and life in Ireland.

Newport Bridge

Gemma took us on such a nice tour of many other sights in the area, like this beautiful church and cemetery.

We also went to Rock Fleet castle, where my Papa Lou's father and 6 brothers played a concert many years ago.  My Papa was not there at that time; he was in the Korean War.

My great grandfather and great uncles at Rock Fleet Castle

Jim and me at Rock Fleet Castle

My favorite photo of the countryside in Kilmeena.

We said goodbye to Gemma and then met our cousins Pat, Julie, and Connor for a drink in Westport, then dinner back at their house.

What a fantastic day in Westport and Kilmeena!  The next day we tackled Croagh Patrick.