Author: Leza Cleary

The Blackthorn Pencil

Although Ireland is definitely not short of a blackthorn walking stick or two, less common, is a pen crafted from Blackthorn. Ben shares with the group one such pen, crafted by his carpenter Grandfather.

Rose and Tray.

Rose’s tray was hand painted by her very talented Grandmother who lived in India.

My Mother’s Teaspoon.

Jan shares with the group the story of her mother’s Tea Caddy Spoon. A lasting connection between her mother and North Wales, where she spent her time as an child evacuee during WWII.

My Medal Collection.

Conor shares with the group his family heirlooms of the future, with his collection of medals and trophies.

My School Mate, Seamus Heaney

Seamus Heaney is widely recognized as one of the major poets of the 20th century. A native of Northern Ireland, Heaney was raised in County Derry, and later lived for many years in Dublin. He was the author of over 20 volumes of poetry and won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1995 “for works of lyrical beauty and ethical depth, which exalt everyday miracles and the living past.” Heaney taught at Harvard University (1985-2006) and served as the Oxford Professor of Poetry (1989-1994). He died in 2013.

 

1910 Wedding Photograph.

Des shares the story of his Grandmother Catherine Lesley.

On the 28th April, the Friday of the week of the Easter Rising, The Battle of Ashbourne was a direct confrontation and gun battle between up to 70 members of the Royal Irish Constabulary and about 37 Irish Volunteers. It was one of the few engagements outside of Dublin and was, in contrast to the main Rising in Dublin, a successful one.  James Gormley was one of those RIC Officers that lost his life that day, here his Great, Great, Great Nephew tells us about the last letter he wrote to his sister, Kate, shortly before his death.

Lilah shares with us the story of her father’s vase.  Inherited from her Grandmother, this was the first vase made by her father after he went to work in a Sunderland Glass factory.

Adam shares the story of his Great Great Aunt Annie, who lived to celebrate her 100th Birthday. Adam’s family made a booklet about her life and family to mark the occasion back in 2012.