21 September 2019

Alan Dunlop wrote me a email to say, "Hello". He came across my email from when I was writing more often over to Ireland for my family history. Said it was going to be Josephs 200 birthday anniversary and the area about Banbridge would be celebrating.  
I wrote back to say "Hello", yes I am that Katie.  Wished everyone across the pond Congratulations on their celebrations and wished them well.  
Alan wrote back, would I like to come over and visit in September and share in the local observance.   Generously offered to put me up and be a local guide.  
How could I say no!  
So the plane tickets are ready, passport ready, dug my lil hand size camera out, and have carry-on suitcase and backpack at the ready.  
I never in any part of my brain thought to actually ever go over to Ireland.  It's going to be like going thru a dream, to see some of our ancestral lands and places in our family stories.  
I can't wait to be a total tourist, and fill the camera up with pictures, meet everyone I can, and buy souvenirs.  

As you can see from the above picture, Alan has written a book about the Hymn and Joseph.  I totally endorse it and like the work he has done.  And doing that, is how he came to reach out to me and we started visiting.  It's going to be lovely to meet him in person and hear what all he has to tell me about Ireland. 
Best Wishes to all,   Katie