Cork, Ireland - The Fam

Cork, Ireland.... Where do I begin? Ok, well, how about the beginning -

** This is a long one... But worth the read! ** :-)

We all know I am a big family person, so I am sure it is not a surprise to any of you that I want know where "I" came from. So, that is what I did, I headed to Cork where my grandparents were from. There I meet my extended family, some of them, I have not seen since I was a teenager and some I have NEVER met or knew existed...
it was absolutely an amazing experience and a beautiful couple of days!

I stayed in Cork with my cousins - Pat, Garry & Shane. Pat is my grandmother's brother's daughter and this was great and what a memory she has! My first day we all went out to dinner and caught up on family life. The next day, she told me fascinating stories and showed me where she grew up, where my grandparents used to hang out and where they would stay when they came back to visit, which was every July for the entire month! We went all through Cork City which is beautiful and then we headed down to Cove. Cove is a magnificent little town on the water. It was here, in Cove, that my grandfather left for America with his brother and my grandmother followed shortly after. It was this little port that was also the last European port for the Titanic before it too headed for America. After taking a walk down Irish Immigration lane, Pat and I made our way back home for a yummy homemade dinner and a couple of pints at the pub. That night, I also made a few calls home to my mom and my aunts to get my barrings straight on my grandfather's side and unfortunately it was not as successful as I had hoped. But that didn't deter me. They did all remember the same house on a corner that was believed to be one of my grandfather's niece's and luckily, Pat and her fantastic memory was able to take us there.

The following morning, Billy and Amy returned from their wedding on their way to the airport. There were able to see and meet Pat, Garry & Shane as well as our other cousin, John (Pat's brother). It was great! We all had a lot of laughs catching up and then they were off and Pat, Garry, Shane and I headed to Whites Cross,in County Cork to my cousin's house.

I couldn't believe what I saw when I arrived. A small, run down house with an actual notice on it saying that they were tearing it down. Oh no! A dead end! Well almost a dead end, there was a name on the notice, so i took it down for future research! As I stand in the middle of the road taking pictures of this house that was once apart of my family, a small, beat up red car turns the corner almost hitting me and saying, "Ya know they no longer live there!" and I said that unfortunately I knew that and then randomly I asked him if he knew where they went and he DID!!! I couldn't believe it, the stars were aligned and all was perfect. He pointed me down the street, saying they lived across from an estate and then peeled away. I literally jumped up and down in the street with a loud "WAHOOOOOOO!! We found 'em!!" and jumped in the car and Garry turned around and pulled over right in front of the estate. Of course I ask, should I go and knock on the door and before anyone answers me, I am out of the car with Patricia chasing after me. At first I knocked on the wrong door and the gentleman kindly pointed me to this beautiful, huge house next door.

Slowly walking next door, I start to get that nervous yet excited feeling, like it is the first day of school, wondering if anyone will like me. Pat and I walk up to this amazing house and ring the bell. A gorgeous, young blond answers and I asked her if she was who I thought and hoped she was and she said yes!! I tell her that i am her cousin from America and she gives a huge hug and welcomes us inside! Once inside, her mom, my grandfather's brother's daughter, Sheila greets us and I explain to her that I am her uncle's granddaughter from America. She too give me a hug and begins to introduce me to her husband and children - all 13 of 'em!! Each one just as beautiful or as handsome as the next. Before we know it we are sitting on the couch having tea and cookies and catching up and Garry & Shane are recruited from the street to join us. I show them pictures of my family and ask about hers and about my grandfather and his 10 siblings and she fills me on everyone!! Who married who, who has children, who doesn't, where they all live, etc. Absolutely amazing. I couldn't believe the fountain of knowledge she was. My family tree was starting to grow and seriously, my hand could not keep up with all the info pouring out of her. I was like a little kid in a candy store asking for more and more. Moments later we are exchanging family info and snapping a few photos. I am one happy little camper! We say our good byes and we are on our way. As we leave I am beside myself and Pat informs me that the graveyard where my Great Grandparents (on my grandmother side) are buried is just around the corner so they take me there. It too is beautiful on these rollng hills and a perfect ending to an astonishing afternoon!!

We wrap up the day and night at the local pub where my cousin John and his wife Ann and daughter Adine join us. It was great because I haven't seen then since I was 18 or so!! Awesome!!

A perfect ending to a perfect day!