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7
thSeptember Family Reunion - Blessington, Manor Kilbridge, Ballynascollogue
I had phoned my cousin Paddy Hanlon who recommended that we take the tram service (Luas) to Saggart stop, about 49 minutes out of the city, and he would collect us from there. There had been a marathon that morning in the Blessington area so roads were closed there. The trams leave every few minutes and the return fare was only Euro 4.70 - Bargain.
Paddy arrived in his van and off we went to see where my grandmother had been born and raised at Ballynasculloge. This is a small area with only a few farms and known only to locals First we went to Manor Kilbride to the Cemetery. It took a little while but we found the Healy grave site and paid our respects. It lies in a beautiful setting Quiet and serene as it should be for a cemetery.
Paddy encouraged us to enter the church, a wedding was in progress but he insisted. So we did and it was lovely to hear the priest singing “Hallelujah”, not the Leonard Cohen version of it either.
The house at Ballynasculloge is a hip roofed house, covered in whitewashed stucco. In the photo I had been sent there is a white horse above the front door and today this is still the same. The current owners, more cousins of mine, weren’t home so we did not go into the actually house but I was delighted to even find it.
Next we went into Blessington and had tea & coffee at a bookshop there. Blessington is a larger town and boasts a Norman era Church, which is now Church of Ireland. Paddy and his wife, live at his mother’s house as she, Kit Hanlon, is now 89 and in need of care. Kit had had 10 children which included several pairs of twins. I recalled her name about my Aunt’s kitchen table so it was a thrill to meet her. She had her eye on Lou though. Telling me “ I had got myself a good man” several times.
Paddy and Kit had a Christening to attend so we caught the tram back into Dublin. Sunday night we ate at “The Kingfisher” opposite our accommodation which is regarded as the best Fish and Chips in town. I had smoked cod which was moist and tasty. I’d recommend it.
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