Creagh-zy Creaghs
The journey begins -
The Journey Begins
Well, it happened! Despite the inevitable problems associated with large family gatherings – we managed to pull it off. And what’s more it was a great success. The biggest set-back was that Jim’s wife Phyllis had a serious car accident the day before. Thankfully modern car technology saved her life, but she sustained injuries to her arm, chest and back. Hopefully she is recovering well in Cork hospital. I’ll update this as soon as I get more news.
It was an impossible task that we set ourselves, with such a large family spread across the globe. However, the turnout was better than I had anticipated, and it seems that a good time was had by all. We even had a guest appearance by Richard Lloyd from Australia – so it was good that they were represented in some way at least.
My special thanks to Paula and Hilary for all the work they have put in in order to make this weekend such a roaring success. Also, Mike Jones and Cecil, plus major input from Nonie, who together have worked to produce an amazing copy of the family tree. I believe Mike was putting in excess of 370 family members onto the role call so far, and still growing! Mike also was collating a pictorial family history – which is truly mind-blowing. Rumour has it that this might eventually become a book. The family tree extended to 26 A4 pages. Here are a couple of images which demonstrate the difficulty of showing this to family members, – taken at Paula’s house.
Viewing the Family Tree
Viewing the family photos -
The clan gathers…
The Clan Gathers
I agree that this is not a very good photo (but the beer was flowing by this time!) – however, Maureen claims that she does not look like her mother Alice [Lala]. Here is the proof kid!
Now, where do I fit in???
The Wise Ones -
Some of the Ford contingent -
While the younger element took refuge in the TV room -
The weekend sees a hive of activity around Ballyporeen, not least at Paula & Udo’s house at The Rock. Here are a couple of shots that hopefully capture some of the atmosphere -
Making New Friends
Preparations begin
Some look more confused than others
The marquee takes shape
Hilary adds the Tipperary touch
Some are appointed child minders...
Taking a break
Everyone has a job
Grabbing a quick lunch
Even the jobs that have been put off for a long time get done!
Getting into the spirit of things
Outside the view from The Rock remains tranquil…
While inside the party begins
OK, from this point I will freely admit that things went decidedly downhill ! The censor has just kicked in, and I am still waiting for some outstanding blackmail money to be sent! Here is just a little taste of the rest of the evening/next morning. A small hard-core of us did see the dawn – and some even saw the next day’s dawn. For those of you trying to identify the people involved -not all were relatives – but some great new friends. By way of explanation for some of the shots, someone (in their drunken wisdom) decided that it would be a good idea for everybody to have tattoos – with a permanent marker pen. Hmmm? A wise move..
As an addendum to this, Phyllis is making good progress and we hope that she is out of hospital soon. It must also be reported that the “hard core” saw their way through a third night and greeted yet another dawn!
This is a comment left by an ex-resident of Ballyporeen in another section;-
Comment:
hi john i just stumbled on your site and i couldn’t believe it when i saw all about your aunt,con and alice creagh as i grew up across the road from them when i was a young fella (i’ve since left the village a long time ago)mrs creagh was the first funeral i was at that i remember crying my eyes out at i must have been maybe 8 or nine at the time maybe some time in the early 70′s as i really loved that woman i can remember nearly living in her house giving her a hand with the chickens etc she’d always feed me tea and big slices of bread with jam you mentioned cider with rosie well in the 60′s and 70/s this really held true as the creamery was still open and all the village use to be full of horses and carts taking their milk there ,as young fella’s we used to hitch a ride with them out of town for about a mile then walk back and start again (the innocence of it all)mrs creagh had one of the last thantched cottages on the street at the time and if ever there was a gentle woman she was one i remember at the time before con died her favourite song was (don’t know the full title)*how it was when we were wed fifty years ago*.take care john have to go i’m afraid.
And I hope that Nonie will forgive me for adding her e-mail to the recent comments. Thanks Nonie x J
John that brought tears to my eyes, his father was a Police Sergeant lived across the road, and his mother’s name was Phyllis – quite a good cook from my memory. They were there when my Dad died – my mother loved children, and that was what kept her going with company. Your Mam loved children also as you know. Life can be sad, but we are lucky to have had such good parents and sisters, and it is only as you get older that you appreciate all that they were.
Thank Carol for all her hard work, she never relaxed and it was noticed by all the way she supported you and worked so hard with Hilary and Paula.
Thank you John for all of your contributions as it would have not worked without you. Your loving Aunt and pincher NONIE
Hi John, Thanks to you for putting in the time in helping and organising the reunion. Looks like it was a great success. Nice lot of pix. Did every body receive a copy of the Family Tree? Man you must have used some paper!.Sorry we could not be there in person but we were in mind and spirit. Cec & Bridie.