Tag Archives: emigrants

Although born and raised in Connecticut, Dr Brian P. Monahan, the physician who recommended the measures to be implemented in Capitol Hill, the seat of the US Government, in the battle to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, has family ties firmly embedded in West Clare. Both his parents emigrated from Clare in the mid 1950s, his mother Mary (Troy) from Doonaha West and his father Martin from Glaunagonee in Lissycasey. Although less that 40 miles separate both villages, the couple actually travelled half way round the world before meeting up, getting married and setting up home in the States. A 59 year-old Navy rear admiral and the attending physician of Congress, Dr Monahan was described as the calm and professional voice of reason during the pandemic. He is known in the halls of the Capitol as much for his meticulous attention to medical detail as he is for his efforts to stay completely out of politics. His first …

WHILE there was joy unconfined at Shannon Airport in the days before Christmas as emigrants arrived, the other side of the coin can be seen this week, as families wave off their loved ones. Antoinette Jenkins came home from Perth, with her husband, Mark, and their three children. Her parents, Sean and Mary Nestor, were saying goodbye to them in the terminal on Tuesday afternoon. Temperatures in Perth regularly hit 30oC during December, which was in stark contrast to the wintry conditions at Shannon but the weather didn’t dim her enjoyment of the visit at all. “We had a lovely time. It was great to be back and to see all the family. It’s very, very hot there [in Perth] and very cold here but we love the change, so it’s all good.” She has been in Australia for 18 years and is well settled there now. “It’s great, we’ve lots of friends there but it’s also great to get …

FAMILIES were reunited amid emotional scenes at Shannon Airport on Monday afternoon. Heathrow is one of the world’s great hub airports and passengers on the Aer Lingus flight from there had began their journeys in all different corners of the world. Bridget and Eddie Kenihan from Corbally in Limerick were waiting at the arrivals gate well before the flight arrived and it was a huge day for them. “We’re waiting for our son and daughter in law and our little grand daughter who we haven’t even met yet, they’re coming from Australia,” said Bridget.     Muireann Simons from Belharbour waited with her daughter Orla for another daughter Maeve, who has been based in London for the last two years. Orla is home from Leeds and another sibling is due to arrive on St Stephen’s Day from Italy. “It’s the first time all the siblings have been together for about four years,” said Orla. Margaret Drysdale has lived in Doonbeg …