This is a picture of my great grandfather and his son Daniel. My great grandfather was born and raised in a cottage in Derryfadda, County Clare, Ireland. Most of the members of the Spaight family were farmers. Michael Spaight was a carpenter. Patrick Joseph Spaight, my grandfather left Ireland when he was about 17 years old and he left to see his sister Mary and Cornelius who travelled to America many years before. Mary settled in Brooklyn but Cornelius was more a traveller. He went as far as Australia then came back to Akron, Ohio where he lived for many years. His grandson, Eddie Spaight, named after my godfather and his cousin, Edward Spaight were fast friends. The younger Eddie, liked to travel as well. Years later, he took his wife and children to see the birthplace of his grandfather in Ireland. And he was lucky enough to meet the Spaight clan and save the memories of his trip on photographs.
Twenty-odd years later I was given the opportunity to visit Ireland as well. The first thing I did in preparation for the trip was to write letters to my irish relatives to tell them of my impending journey to the emerald isle. One of these relatives is a man named Donie Spaight and he said he still lives in Derryfadda and that his father is the younger Daniel Spaight who is pictured above with his dad.
Well like I explained before in a previous post, this trip was postponed due to injury. I am sure I can eventually go to Ireland, but it's not in the cards right now. Some things are much more important than plucking a few shamrocks and talking to a relative. Right now, Billie needs me most. And I know that she would cancel a trip in a heartbeat to stay with me.
This is a picture of my great grandfather and his son Daniel. My great grandfather was born and raised in a cottage in Derryfadda, County Clare, Ireland. Most of the members of the Spaight family were farmers. Michael Spaight was a carpenter. Patrick Joseph Spaight, my grandfather left Ireland when he was about 17 years old and he left to see his sister Mary and Cornelius who travelled to America many years before. Mary settled in Brooklyn but Cornelius was more a traveller. He went as far as Australia then came back to Akron, Ohio where he lived for many years. His grandson, Eddie Spaight, named after my godfather and his cousin, Edward Spaight were fast friends. The younger Eddie, liked to travel as well. Years later, he took his wife and children to see the birthplace of his grandfather in Ireland. And he was lucky enough to meet the Spaight clan and save the memories of his trip on photographs.
ReplyDeleteTwenty-odd years later I was given the opportunity to visit Ireland as well. The first thing I did in preparation for the trip was to write letters to my irish relatives to tell them of my impending journey to the emerald isle. One of these relatives is a man named Donie Spaight and he said he still lives in Derryfadda and that his father is the younger Daniel Spaight who is pictured above with his dad.
Well like I explained before in a previous post, this trip was postponed due to injury. I am sure I can eventually go to Ireland, but it's not in the cards right now. Some things are much more important than plucking a few shamrocks and talking to a relative. Right now, Billie needs me most. And I know that she would cancel a trip in a heartbeat to stay with me.