Some of you know my dear friend Sister Rosenda Brady. A Sister of St. Joseph, she was sent to Barry's Bay as administrator for the new hospital in 1968 and then the senior residence Valley Manor. Keen-witted and loving (65 years of devotion tends to bring that out in a person), she is also a brilliant story teller with a gift for sounding like anybody, musical, funny and generous. She is also Irish. Both her parents came from Ireland in 1915. Rosenda loves to say his birthplace: "Kilrooska, Belcoo, County Fermanagh". Belcoo in the English version of the original Irish Béal Cú, "mouth of the narrow" where a shallow stream connects Upper and Lower Loch MacNean (the bridge picture- which is also the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland)
I thought it would be fun to see the village her father was born in. My intention was to take a few shots of the village to give her an idea of the place.
I booked a schoolhouse apartment. I asked the host if by any chance he knew of any family history for the Brady family. Imagine - he personally knows the family and they are still in the same house! Here are some shots of Belcoo. I don't think it has changed drastically in appearance...
So- my first evening, John and Anne Corrigan picked me up and drove me out to Kilrooska. You won't see the name on the maps - it's the townland name for the farm and place where the Brady's live and have lived for generations. The following pictures are 1. Rosenda's father William Brady 2. The original home which has been updated but with heritage rules the ground floor has the original walls 3. The view from their home looking across to Lough MacNean and the hills of Cuilcagh 4. Kevin Brady, Sister Rosenda's first cousin once removed.
After a bit of a visit the Corrigans drove me around a bit to see the church where he was baptized and his brother's grave, with whom Rosenda had corresponded. It is also the church Anne attends, and she sings in the choir. Then to their home for a chat over tea and muffins. It was wonderful!
Here are some links to the rest of my time in Belcoo. I've put these visits on the Places Page
*took the bus to Sligo where I took a walking tour and also visited the Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetary
*hiked to the Holy Well of St Patrick just outside Belcoo
* stopped in Enniskillen on the way home to take a Boat tour out to Devenish Island.
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I am enjoying learning so much about Ireland, its history and your experiences!! What a lovely gift for Sister Rosenda❤️