Oliver's passing was such a sad day for me and many, many others but, thankfully, he is at peace now. Oliver and I are first cousins (1x removed) through his adoptive mother, Annie (Paxton) Moore. When Oliver was adopted, it was my mother, Veronica (Conlon) Vercelli Robinson, who carried him out of that orphanage. Oliver started visiting us in New Jersey back in the 1960s, and I've lost count as to just how many trips he made over here to America. He came on his own and at various other times with friends. My first trip over to visit my Irish family was in 1965 when we stayed in the bungalows (#30) with Oliver, his brother Bill, Ellen (my grandmother), Johnny, and Mary Jane. From 1982 through 2014, I made 16 additional trips over to visit and travel the countryside with Oliver where we had many, many adventures and fun times in 31 of the 32 counties. (Are there no roads in County Laois because I'm not sure how we missed it!) My last trip over was in 2014 to sell my mother's bungalow directly opposite Oliver's after she passed away in 2013. She and her husband (Ted Robinson) lived in #19 after their 1998 marriage in Gilford chapel. Oliver made his final trip over to visit me in 2015. Oliver took such good care of my grandmother and all our relatives in the bungalow - not to mention how many others he watched over in Gilford over the years. That includes taking care of my mother and Ted while they were in their bungalow. Thank you to Canon Powell for the beautiful Mass for Oliver. Oliver truly loved that church and everyone he worked with there over the years. Thanks to all his friends for watching over him especially these past five years after his accident. And thanks to Jonathan for doing the video so we in America could at least participate remotely on this sad day. Rest in peace, cousin.

Congratulations Canon Gerry on your Golden Jubilee. It's been many years since we inhabited the first year dorm in Violet Hill.

I am seeking the poem " One Solidarity Life " and The Christian Version poem of I Corinthians 13 for fiends who are from Sri Lanka, India. They are now living in Charleston, S.C.. I am sharing the news of Christmas and the gift of Jesus Christ, God's Love, for all humanity. This will be their first time to celebrate Christmas in South Carolina.

What a lovely reading Malachy wrote for his sister Peggy. Well done young man. X

Hi Father, I love to watch your daily mass when I can as I like your simplicity, devotion to God and Blessed Mother. Your sermons too are appropriate for the day. I normally attend the traditional Latin mass but I do watch your mass as I can see your love and respect for the Lord in the way you say mass. May God bless and watch over you, Father. Rgds.

Would anyone know how long the Gilford Catholic Club ran for and where I might be able to find any photos from social gatherings at the club? I believed it was created in 1898 near St John's primary school.

Just taking a little look at what’s happening in Laurencetown.

Thank you to George Wilson, All Saints' parish historian. I visited All Saints' cemetery on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 and met with George, his wife Noel, two members of the Vestry and the rector.. I found my great-grandfather's family headstone which confirmed the information I found on Ancestry.com. George did further research and found my great-grandfather's baptismal record. I feel truly connected to All Saints' Parish. Thank you for the conversation and email messages.

Peter McConville in reference to your note on 30.4.2019. My great-great-grandfather, Daniel McConville (of Gilford, Townland Ballynagarrick) and his wife, Sarah, migrated to Australia in 1855. I have visited Gilford 3 times and searched church records and took notes on McConvilles from the graves of the 3 church yards. Peter, you may wish to contact me: [email protected] Terence Ogge

How and where do I search for ancestral names in this web page. Regards Peter McConville

Hi Anne, my husband Bill Monaghan and all his family were born in Gilford and I have collected some info on our family tree. Bill had an aunt who married a Sean Daly from Canada and I am hoping it might be the same family tree - I hope you can get in touch and maybe we can cross reference any info we have gathered. Looking forward to hearing from you. Bill & Sheila Monaghan

I've been doing some Monaghan research and found that a James Aloysius Monaghan lived at 32 Hill St, Gilford, in the 1911 Irish census. You can find that at the following site: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Down/Tullylish/Loughans/213354/. His parents appear to be Joseph Monaghan and Susan Travors and he was born 5 October 1879 in Ballymaghery, Down, Ireland. The only reference I can find to a Ballymaghery is near Hilltown. Hopefully, this is the person you are seeking. Good luck.

I am searching for any information in regards to my grandfather James A Monaghan who lived in Gilford possibly on High Street?

Catherine, we both wish Fr Powell a very happy 70th and we also hope he is doing well.

Catherine, Where Is Coyles Hill in Laurencetown? It was mentioned today in the history page of The Irish News Gerry

In Ireland Marriages 1619-1898 it states my ancestor JAMES McKEE (b 1825 in Loughans, Tullylish Parish, father was Thomas McKee) and SARAH KERNAGHAN (b 1829 in Ballymackallen, Tullylish Parish, father was Andrew Kernaghan)were married either Jan 4 1850 or Sept 4 1847 in Newmills Presbyterian Church in Tullylish Parish. They had a son named Thomas McKee in December of 1854 who was my great-grandfather. Do you have any further information about the McKee or Kernaghan family? I would be most appreciative as I have hit a stonewall in my search. Thank you so very much. Deborah

Great to keep up to date with news from back home.

Looking for any records for James Geary and Margaret Moore who married at Tullylish in 1871. I am trying to find out when they died and where they are buried. If anyone could offer any info, would appreciate. thanks!!

Christine, the children look very sharp in their school uniforms ( love the colour combination)

Further to my previous post I neglected to leave my e-mail address which is [email protected] Here's hoping....Regards.....Jimmy Quinn....Glasgow