Castletownbere, Ireland July 2006

Lea recounts; "Keara really wanted us to join her at the family reunion in Ireland. I remember her saying; 'Mom, before you go to Australia, don't you want to see where your family came from and meet all the relatives that are still there?' "

As we traveled to our sabbatical in Australia, we were able to attend the Murphy family reuinion in Castletownbere, County Cork, Ireland. We met our "new found" cousins who remained in Ireland when our ancester, Cornelius Murphy, left the family farm for America in the early 1800s . My mother's brother, Bill Murphy, discovered our Irish "roots" about 4 years ago.

Cornelius had about 10 siblings, one named John. John Murphy's descendents grew up on the family farm. Three of his grandsons, Michael, John, and Fr. Pat and all 50 of their relaitves welcomed us back to the actual farm of my great-great grandfather. Michael Murphy still lives there!