Before we travelled to Ireland, I made contact with people at Ireland Reaching Out. Ireland Reaching Out (Ireland XO) is a volunteer-based, non-profit initiative which endeavours to help people reconnect with the parish of origin.
I inquired about family records and received an immediate response from Roger McDonnell. I also asked if it was possible to see what remained of the family estate for the Ussher family in Killallaghtan, Galway. I received an immediate response in the affirmative and a contact name for when we arrived.
Liam Irwin met with us and spent hours showing us the estate, and checking with the local families to make sure it was okay to wander through their property.
My branch of Usshers settled in what was to become Canada in the early 1800s but it was fascinating to see my roots in Loughrea.
Thank you to Liam Irwin and Ireland Reaching Out.
