Wineoclockmama in luxembourg

This year we visited Ireland for the first time in many years.

My Dad had been back over the years several times but I had not been back for years and they hadn’t met my children.

My Dad did not have the best childhood.

His mother was a highly educated woman who came from a relatively wealthy home.

She was deeply religious and married late in life my Dad’s father.

I’m not sure of the story but I’d say her family had a few things to say about her marrying him.

My Grandad was a local legend by all accounts.

He was abit of a rogue, a big drinker and once married left my Nana and Dad in the West of Ireland to work in England.

There was a huge amount of construction work after the war so many travelled over the sea on the promise of big wage packets.

Leaving his wife and son in rural Ireland my Grandad enjoyed single life in England and soon less and less money was being sent back.

From what I’ve heard and vaguely remember he was a massive man with a shock of white hair. Great company, and generous with his time and money he loved the drink very much. Life and soul of the party but not much of a husband or Father.

After many years of this my Nana had no choice but to sell the house in Mayo and move to England.

Although I’d say it would have been very hard. Many from the villages were leaving Ireland then for a better life and she knew others that had already left.

They bought with cash a small three bedroom house in a village.

Many rented at that time so it shows the cash that was being earnt to afford a house then.

When they arrived in England little changed. My Grandad still preferred sitting on a bar stool in a pub than being with his family.

My Dad although an only child had 9 first cousins on his father’s side that lived down the road. They became his brothers and sisters and from what he’s told me he spent much of his childhood there. Anything to escape the oppressive, depressing atmosphere of the house.

My Nana became more religious and I’d say very resentful of his husband’s activities.

My Grandad ignored his son and wife and continued to have a craic down the pub.

My Dad has always been a proud Irish man and despite living in England for many years has never changed his passport.

This year I arranged for all of us including my parents to go back home to see the family.

When I go back home ( which is something they have always said to me despite me never living there)

I do feel like I’m home.

We met all the family my Dad was so happy.

Then we met his cousins, went to his old house, visited his old school and saw the grave of his Great Uncle who lost his life in WW1.

This meant so much to my Dad and although it was complicated to organise and stressful for my Dad I’m so glad I made it happen.

I’m glad now I’m at an age where I can do these things for my parents x

Thank you