Ireland

I have a real affection and interest in Ireland and in particular around the history of the War of Independence and the Civil War .  This has been largely stirred by my grandmother Florrie, who was from Clonmel, County Tipperrary .  Her Irish roots were maintained through her brother and relatives who still lived in and around Clonmel, she was a subscriber to The Nationalist Newspaper and visited Ireland occasionally.

I have now visited Ireland many times and have a real love the country with the history.  In part my historical interest is a desire to understand what caused my great grandparents to send most of their children to England during the period 1916-1925.  The most obvious answer is the turmoil that gripped Ireland at this time as Independence was established, but I am keen to get behind the headlines and understand the family motivations of the time.

It is a curious turn of circle that in 2001 my sister Alison moved to Cork, where she managed the Triscal Arts Centre, and this provided a real chance to reinforce links and knowledge.  Alison has subsequently moved back to England but the haunting attractions of the south of the Emerald Isle linger on.