Crockanboy String Band

Seems the McDermott family of Crockanboy was a musical one; everyone played an instrument of one kind or another.  They entertained at home and elsewhere.  Here's a poem, recited by Aunt Alice

Round by Dr. Devlin's corner & up through Teebane
Here comes the little avenue that leads to Jimmy Ban's
Sally's in the corner with a program in her hand
Frankie plays the violin and George gives command
The girls are good dancers as you can understand 
And you would go a good piece to hear the Crockanboy String Band

 Here's Aunt Alice

Dr. Devlin - a local, Teebane is a nearby townland; Jimmy Ban's - I think a pub.  Sally - my great grandmother; Frank and George - great uncles.

Sunday

Started the day with "an Ulster breakfast" at Greenmount.  Called Seamus Conway to see if he would be available and he was.  Drove to Formil where he lives on Crockanboy Road, not far from Greencastle Church.  Using my gps, I plotted in Gortin which I knew was in the vicinity because I couldn't find any other location; have since discovered I can put in a post code which will then provide a route.  Drove through the forest, past Gortin, past Rousky and on to Greencastle and Formil.  After a couple of stops thinking I was at Seamus' I was told to continue along the same road, beyond an intersection and the first lane on the left.

Gortin RC Church


Seamus invited me in for tea and we then went to Greencastle cemetery.  Found some McKeown family plots and took some photos.  The stone on the McDermott plot is barely readable.  Seamus had contacted Sean Bradley, another McKeown family cousin and we stopped at Sean & Kathleen's for more tea and wee sandwich.  After a delightful visit, Seamus and I headed to Rousky Cemetery where I found a couple of graves unrelated to the McKeowns (perhaps related to some fellow genies) took a couple more photos and then on Seamus for even more tea.  His sister Nuala stopped by and a niece Annette and her family (husband and three beautiful little boys) popped in.

I left there a bit after 5pm for Omagh and to collect Marion for a short ride to Mountfield to visit Aunt Alice Bradley.  Arrived to find a very spry (90+ year old) who shared some family history.  Also there to participate was Rita's daughter.  We had a lovely visit, more tea and more wee sandwiches and sweets and Marion and I drove back to Omagh and I returned to Greenmount Lodge after 9pm - it was still light out!

The search begins....

After a delightful breakfast at my hotel, I went across the street and very near the statue of Oscar Wilde in St. Stephens Green, caught the Hop On Hop Off bus and disembarked at St. Patrick's Cathederal.  I walked to The National Archives.

Because only pencil and paper are permitted in the Reading Room, The National Archives provides lockers, free of charge.  Genealogists are available for consultation, which I did, but wasn't able to spend as much time as I would have liked.  There were at least six to eight people lined up behind me and two genealogists to assist.  I noted something curious in the reading room - large bedroom pillows!  I learned they are to cradle the very delicate record books.  Whodathunk!

Anyway, I made good use of the short time alloted.  I had brought information about the marriage of my maternal great-grandparents in County Cavan.  I had been searching for the specific parish location without success.  In just a few minutes, the genealogist was able to pinpoint the Church of St. Mary in the parish of Ballymachugh.  Because I had nothing else to research at the Archives - I had no clue where to begin, I left clutching that piece of information.

While I had planned to visit the GRO (Government Registry Office), I never got there.

On Friday, went to the National Library.  Spent HOURS looking at a roll of microfilm for the church parish where my maternal great-grandparents were married, looking for other possible relatives.  While the staff were very helpful and the equipment was adequate, I left bleary-eyed with little information.  There was, however, a very nice cafeteria so I didn't leave without having a nice lunch.

I hope to go to the church itself in County Cavan....

Saturday - I checked out of my hotel.  My original plan was to take a bus back to the airport because it was much less expensive than a taxi.  However, I would have had to walk much too far with luggage to get the bus.  So, I opted for the more expensive taxi ride.  The good thing was it would take me directly to the rental car facility so I guess in the long run, it was worth the extra Euros!

My first minutes behind the wheel were "interesting" to say the least.  Standard shift - but using the left hand; driving from the right side of the car and on the left side of the road.  Daunting.  My best investment for this trip was a data card for my gps including Ireland and Northern Ireland.  Priceless!  I did circle around a few times attempting to get on one highway - kept missing the turnoff.  It was good practice.  Finally wound up on the M1 - a major highway.  Hertz indicated they paid tolls on the highways; apparently only "some" as I encountered a toll booth, unprepared to pay, held up traffic a bit until I got out the money - a little more stress.....   Eventually, I got on the N2 which is mostly a two-lane (one in each direction) highway with a bazillion roundabouts.  Seems a roundabout appeared every 4 or 5 miles.  Good practice downshifting and remembering to drive left through the intersection while giving way to all traffic from the right.  I have to thank a bus driver I met at the hotel for this sound advice.

Arrived at the Greenmount Lodge, tucked away on a country road.  The view is spectacular; accommodations great; free wifi; was able to call Marion and Maura using their telephone for a small fee (much less than using my own cell phone).

Went to Marion's home where I was welcomed with open arms.  Both she and her husband Terry showed me truly Irish hospitality.  Maura and Gerry arrived from Derry (met them in NYC in 2009).  Gerry drove us  to Crockanboy - the McDermott/McKeown home via the Gortin Glen Forest, passed by Rousky and Gortin churches and I was treated to a tour of the lower Sperrin mountains - with some very narrow, winding roads sporting some roller-coaster like hills.  Absolutely breathtaking scenery, somewhat marred by the areas recently burned due to dry weather (believe it or not!) and maybe arson.

Gortin Glen Forest road; note burned area

Stopped at Greencastle, St. Patrick's RC Church and graveyard.  They have the (probably) only remaining Gaelic language stations of the cross.

Irish Language Station of Cross

Hope to go back today and spend more time.  We had some rain yesterday (what else...) and so far it's bright and sunny, and very breezy this morning.  

Later today, with Marion, hope to meet Aunt Alice Bradley (ggrandmother's side of the family).

Day One + One

Yesterday, I almost cried.  Then I slept.... 

Today is BETTER.  Driver for a tour group at the hotel gave me some very helpful tips - He said I could (cheaply) pick up a mini usb for my phone, but even better suggested I could use the USB connector I did bring (thinking the one end was a receptacle plug) to my laptop to charge my phone.  Worked like a charm - thank you Paul.  I was afraid if my phone "died" I would lose my Irish phone numbers and be unable to contact anyone here.  Whew!  But, I'm afraid to actually make calls with my phone - maybe that will change with a bit more experience here.  I've tried to get a sim card to use, but that looks like a dead end so far. 

Yesterday I did the city tour bus (hop on hop off) to keep me awake.  I was too tired to actually get off to see any sights - but I must have done the tour last time I was in Ireland in 1999 because things were very familiar.  Today that bus tour paid off because I was able to use that same bus (it was a two day ticket) to get close to the National Archives.  And again to get close to the GRO office location.  I found out McDonald's (my present location) has free wifi - YEA!!!!!  So, stopped for lunch and off I go to the GRO. 

BTW - great weather yesterday; today is cloudy and some showers - but I'm told "It's Irish rain...." 

I arrived. Technical problems

Well, I got to Dublin, but not without some difficulty.  First, my bag was overweight - WHY do I overpack?!?  Thought I had my phone charger - NOT!  Only the adapter, so now I have to wait until I get my rental car to charge it.  Can't seem to get internet (free wi fi) on my laptop, so I have paid for one hour's time - hope to get this resolved since my laptop is supposed to be my lifeline for this trip!!  I'll sign off before I lose connectivity.  Will work on this problem again tomorrow!  

Things MUST be better after a good night's sleep.  and have met lots of helpful people and did the on-off bus tour of the city today. 

Fall of 2009 Sisters Rosemary & Maura with Cousin Barbara in NYC

Thank you cousin Diana!

Not only did Diana set up this blog for me, she was instrumental in getting this journey started.  Diane "found" me about 18 months ago.  She has been researching our family history and shared information vital to our quest to discover our roots.  From her records I learned my grandfather was one of 13 siblings, 10 of whom emigrated.