My Dad, Larry McIntyre, over the years told the family he really believed they might stay in Ireland when they went there in 1923. He said he thought the farm was wonderful and remembered being in the field behind the house and suddenly being confronted with a bull which chased him until he jumped over the fence to safety. He thought it was great fun. His brother, Fr. Tom, told me that the family never intended to move to Ireland but was only visiting. At the time of the visit Dad was about 10 and Tom was 4. My Dad also said his sister Mary hated the farm and definitely didn't want to live there. She was 12 at the time.
On our trip to Ireland in 2011, I had the opportunity to meet a second cousin Patrick O'Hara. Pat is the great-grandson of John and Bridget (Cawley) Walsh. John and Bridget are also my great-grandparents. Pat's grandmother Bridget (Walsh) O'Hara, sister of Ellen (Walsh) McIntyre, told his family the story about what Thomas said when his father asked him if he wanted the farm. Pat has graciously shared the story with me and allowed it to be video taped.
Note: Pat refers to Thomas McIntyre's wife as Bridget, but her name really is Ellen. Filmed on the Walsh Family farm, July 26, 2011, in Knockahoney, County Sligo.
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