California Meets Kilrush
In July 2004 my husband Frank and I traveled to West Clare knowing that it was the birthplace of my paternal great-grandfather M.J. Crowley. Not only was it my first visit to Ireland, it was the first time a direct descendant of Michael James Crowley had set foot on Irish soil since his emigration circa 1883. West Clare felt warm and welcoming 121 years later, not least because the west coast of Ireland is so similar to the west coast of the United States, particularly California where I live. Of course being a Crowley around Kilrush in West Clare is like being a Smith in the States. You can't swing a cat without hitting one.
We returned to West Clare this summer with a new focus: to meet the Kilmihil Crowleys from whom the California Crowleys had been separated for so long. Fortunately, past Clan Taoiseach, Tom Crowley, knew exactly whom I should call when I reiterated the sketchy details I had of Michael's life in Ireland. And so, on August 6th, 2005 in Waterville, County Kerry, the California branch of the Kilmihil Crowleys reunited with the Labasheeda branch of the family after, as Padraig says, "a 122 year walk-about."
"The Old Country," took on new meaning as I explored with my cousins! As we drove Pat home to County Killkenny, he regaled us with stories of Irish history and the Crowleys' part in it. He directed us to Cobh (Queenstown) harbor where Michael left all those years ago.
After familial hospitality under my cousin's roof, we returned to Ennis, County Clare, and met Pat's sister Moiré who took us on a wonderful new journey of discovery. She's been recording "our" Crowleys in West Clare cemeteries and knew there was a monument erected by my great-great granduncle, James Bartholomew (older brother of Michael James). We were not disappointed. There it stands, taller than anything else in the churchyard with the exception of the apex of the old church, a direct connection between my family in California and my family in Ireland. Our combined history will become complete as we all fill in the family tree and re-forge our line's connections. I can't wait to report the sequel!!!
The Crowley Clan Newsletter is
compiled by Marian Crowley Chamberlain