Hi Chris
Actually I didn't make it until March 2007 but, despite dreadful weather (horizontal sleet) I managed to get a day in the Croghan Hill area by Rhode and get a feel for the area. I managed to get up the hill to visit the old graveyard where I suspect my ancestors are buried but the stones are so weathered they are illegible, unfortunately. It was very poignant however. I also identified the church where the marriages and baptisms must have taken place and, on my return, have found the name of the parish priest whom I intend to contact to see if there are any burial records for the old graveyard. Although I didn't manage to do any actual research as I was a bit rushed, my partner not sharing my interest, I was very glad I had the chance to get to the actual village. Typically, on my return, I managed to track down where the smithy my ancestor worked in used to be in the village - two weeks too late - however, I can picture in my mind the crossroads although there is nothing there now. Strangely, we sat at that crossroads for at least 5 minutes at one point deciding the best way to go, totally unaware we were actually sitting right at my ggggrandfather's house. Spooky!!
Next time I go over I will go on my own and spend more time, including some time at the archives. Now all I have to do I find where my other Irish relatives were from, it only took me 10 years to find the Geoghegans!!!
All the best
Lesley
