The OConnor family reunited with the townland of their ancestors

Kieran Jordan (Fermoy) and Eddie Cantwell (Dungarvan) collaborated on this Meet and Greet. They met George, Linda and Cameron O’Connor at the Waterford County Museum in Dungarvan. George’s grandfather, Cornelius O’Connor, was from Clonea and George and his family wanted to visit the places associated with his ancestors. After a brief tour of the museum, Michael O’Connor, a second cousin of George, visited for a short while. Michael had to return to work and was unable to remain for the rest of the day. George and his family had already visited Abbeyside church, where his great-grandparents were married, so Eddie took the group to the graveyard at Ballinroad church, where Cornelius’ brothers are buried. This was followed by a visit to Ballyvoile, Clonea, where the O’Connor family lived. Unfortunately, nothing remains of the house there. Following tea at the railway cottage, on the Waterford Greenway, George and his family went on to Kilkenny, regretting that they hadn’t decided to stay longer in Dungarvan, and hoping to return.

 

It was a bad day when the group were out in 'Ladies Cove Ballyvoile'; Eddie thought it would be good to show what it was like on a nice day.

Times of course were different back then and perhaps the beauty of the area wasn't appreciated like it is today. But the Connors family woke up each morning facing the thatched cottages on the hill, since their cottage faced the sea. The lower thatched cottage was lived in by the Dalys, and one of the Daly girls was mother to Kate Bush. There is another connection in that Kitty Connors married one of these Dalys.