Castleisland. . . . .a Grandfather's Birthplace

Before moving my photos of our fabulous trip to Ireland

off the laptop, safely archived on a portable hard drive,

I suddenly remembered I still needed to at least put a little 

memory of Castleisland on a post for Bob to look at 

now and then!  

We enjoyed visiting the small town in the Ring of Kerry, close to Tralee,

 where Bob's paternal grandfather was born and lived until leaving at a 

very young age for Boston in 1886.

We went there in hopes of finding more on our branch of the Sullivan

(then O'Sullivan) family. No luck though - you have no idea how many

thousands with that name came from that Kerry area. 

Our stay there at the River Island Hotel was so much fun, meeting

so many lovely locals who assisted us in looking through church and county 

records, tramping through crumbling cemeteries, and then sharing more than

a few drinks, some Irish dance steps, traditional songs and music. . . . . . and

 nonstop general chatter and laughter which all the Irish seem so comfortable with! 

We loved Ireland so much, as would you I'm certain if you've not yet visited.

If you have, like us, you know what I'm talking about.

We really do hope to return again before too long.

So dear Bob, this one's for you.

Let's go to the cinema. . . . . . . .

We absolutely loved this film. 

Set in the '50's, it's the story of a young woman coming to New York

from a small town in Ireland in search of a better life. There is an 

unusual twist. . . . . . . but I'll not give it away here and spoil it, just go watch it 

for yourself, and take your hanky or lots of tissues!

Bob shed a few tears and held my hand in several scenes (more on that 

another time - but as you may know, I too left my home country for America at

 a young age, therefore so much of this story resonates with me). 

 I cried buckets and was grateful I'd used waterproof mascara that day!

Saoirse Ronan was once again amazing - what a wonderful actress

she has become, and still only 21. One of very few Irish actresses to appear

 in the last fifty years or so, her performance in 'Brooklyn' solidifies her transition

 from child star (in 'Atonement', 'The Lovely Bones' etc.) to major actress.

. . . . . . and don't feel bad if, like most people unfamiliar with the correct 

pronunciation of many Irish names, you have trouble with this one, 

Saoirse is pronounced "SEER-sha" - just so you know, and you will want to be 

talking about this special actress a lot in the future.

This is a just released new movie - you may not find it in your 
area yet, and I doubt on Netflix for some time. Be sure to put it
on your list though.