My Roots in Ireland

Ballaghadereen Town, County Roscommon, Ireland

Back in the day...

And more recently... I think it's beautiful. When I go to Ireland and we are close to landing, I look at the land and I feel it pulling me. I felt at home the very first time I went. It makes me sad to leave. I better get myself over there again! It is very beautiful and the people are so very friendly.

Notice the name of the little shop below? Raggamuffin. I still use that word, (obviously they must too)! Cute as can be, huh?

My family didn't live in town, they lived in a teeny tiny house built of stone with no electricity, no running water and no phones. (They lived that way in the same house until about 15 years ago). Can you even imagine? The wee house is still there, but is now more of an outbuilding for the farm. Still cute and teeny, and it almost feels sacred knowing that everyone of the Doohans before me came from that very place. Amazing. I could spend hours there. I found a big rock in the pasture and it was carved on top with "J.D." and "P.D" (my Grandpa and his identical twin brother). I'm very touched each time I think of it.