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MORAN MAG 2017

MORAN CUP AND CLAN REUNION 2017

Welcome to this yearâ€™s Moran Cup, Do, BBQ and Mag. This Moran Cup is 48 years on the go now, with the big Five-O coming round the corner in 2019. The Moran Clan continues to expand and reconnect every year, with each new generation making the Moran Cup and Do their own. This year's Moran Mag is the most representative yet - with articles, stories, photos and poems, spanning multi-generations and multi-branches of the clan. We have contributions from the USA, UK, China and Ireland, covering every generation, from the feature article on second generation Nora Moran, through third, fourth, many fifth generation contributions, and even a tale of the sixth generation "whizz kid" Ginny Leonard. See the lineage legend at the end of each piece to trace the contributor back to Pat and Ellen! Many thanks to all the contributors to this year's Mag. For the feature piece on Nora Moran, special thanks go to Patte Peterson and Nora Rogers for digging deep into the memory vaults to share stories, facts and photos. Extra on-line historical research was done by Linda Meehan, gathering brilliant information such as ships' manifests and census records. This wonderful broad spread of updates and articles from all family branches is only possible if people take the trouble to write and send in their stories. So a big thanks to the Moran Mag reps gathering stories from each family line - Trish Fagan, Trina Cooney, Diarmuid Moran, Nora Rogers for the States, and Liz Maguire for the Millenials! But Morans, please don't leave all the work to those few. Start thinking now about who in your family has a story to tell for next year's Mag. Write it and send it in as soon as you have it. The annual Moran Cup and Do would not be possible without a strong attendance at the event and the behind-the-scenes work of many. Sincere thanks to Angela, Brona, Betty, Alan, Trish and Ballinrobe Golf Club. Thanks to Tom Anderson, OisĂn and all the helpers for building the Friday night bonfire. And thanks to Peter for arranging the musical entertainment at the Do. Have a great weekend one and all... If you're putting for the Cup, or just "doing" the Do From Mayo to Minnesota, we'll be thinking of you! Lots of love, Shay Moran, Claire Maguire, Ann Meehan. 1

Nora Moran Hart

NJ with her sister Mary Ellen, who had already emigrated in 1905 and was living there. (Their sister Delia will arrive in America in 1919.) 1915: Mary Ellen marries John McLaughlin in Bloomfield, NJ. After marriage, Nora moves with them to Duluth, Minnesota. (Nora and Mary Ellen remain very close until Mary Ellen's passing in 1938.) 1915-1920: Nora meets Sr. Patricia, head of St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth, who gets her into the nursing program there. (The 1920 USA Census records show Nora as a boarder in St. Mary's Hospital, Minnesota, working as a student nurse.) Note: Nora started the first nursery in St. Mary's Hospital with Dr. Moe. It was recognized as one of the first in the state. Quite an accomplishment for a little Irish immigrant. 1920-1927: Nora meets Albert Hart when she is hired to care for Albert's sister Rose in their family home. Rose Hart was a nun but she became seriously ill, probably with cancer, and left the convent to be cared for at home. Nora was her in-home nurse.

Nora with baby Rosemary c.1928 1907: Nora Moran leaves Ireland on the RMS Cedric, bound for New York City, final destination Bloomfield, New Jersey.

By 1927: Nora and Bert are engaged to be married.

Note: Nora did not have to go through Ellis Island for the usual immigrant inspection as she had a sponsor, her maternal Aunt Catherine (Nell) Ellis in New York. Indeed Nell had already sent ÂŁ5 over to Pat Moran, so Nora could travel on a better class ticket, above deck, with meals and berth included on the crossing.

1927: Nora returns to Ireland to help her father recover from an illness. By the time she gets there Pat is already skin and bones. The first thing nurse Nora does is "prescribe" red meat! Patte says: Auntie Kate told me that when Mom was there she was wearing a huge diamond (and believe me it was). When Daddy (Bert) kept cabling

1907 - 1915: In these years (as far as we know) Nora lives in Bloomfield,

>>> 2

for her to come home, her father Pat told her to go, as she was already an "old maid". When she left Ireland, she was angry with her father.

Meanwhile... back in Lavallyroe 1939 - 1945: During the war years, packages were regularly sent from Nora in the USA to Lavallyroe. They were addressed to "Dear Dada". Large tea chests would arrive, containing items of food that were scarce due to rationing.

1927: Nora returns to USA and marries Bert Hart. Note: Many years later Nora's brother Patrick would ask Nora's daughter Patte, "Why did Nora steal my birth date?" This was how it was discovered that Nora had lied about her age when she got married. She claimed to be five years younger, the same age as her husband-to-be Albert, so as not to cause a scandal!

Tom remembers tea leaves from America being used and reused "long past the time they would even colour the water." Breda recalls receiving such exotic items as raisins and whole lemon peels! One year Bert Hart Junior's suit and trousers arrived in Lavallyroe for Tom's Confirmation. Tom claims to have been the only Confirmation lad in long pants that year!

Patte says: Mom will be smiling from heaven to see that her tombstone says she was 71 when she died, but she was actually 76. 1928 - 1936: Nora's life in America in these years is very good. She has five children in six years - Rosemary, Jim, Patte, Jeanne and Bert. 1936: Sadly Bert becomes ill and dies. Following this tragedy, Nora leaves the family home of Bert and moves her brood to a home further East in the city, to an area with better schools.

RMS Cedric

Note from Lavallyroe: After Bert died Katie Moran received a letter from Nora which included the memorable line... "Nine years of easy living has spoiled me some." In subsequent correspondences, Katie asked Nora if she would remarry, being still so young and beautiful. Nora had been deeply in love with Bert and was heartbroken by his death. She told Katie, "having had the best, I could never settle for second best."

RMS Cedric's passenger manifest for Nora Moran's emigration to New Jersey in 1907 3

Memories of My Mother

1945. God rest his soul". When I asked who this was, she admitted that it was her father... this was the first I knew that I had a living grandfather in Ireland and that I was named for him.

Patte Peterson

When Aunt Delia asked Mom to return to Ireland with her, Mom would not go. We tried to change her mind, but I think she could only think of home as she last saw it. Ronan came to Winona in the 70's and this is when he started the family history, with me and others from this side of the pond helping. He did not know Mom, but did tell us about the family.

Back L-R: Don MacDonnell, Patte Hart (holding Scott MacDonnell), Aunt Loretta MacDonnell (Bert Hart Senior's cousin), Nora Moran Hart, Jeannie Hart. Front: Rosemary Hart leaning on Bert Hart.

Duane and I went to Ireland in '77. This was such a thrill for us, as we met so many of the family. At this time we met many of the generation no longer with us... Aunts Kitty, Maggie, Kate and cousins Jack, Paddy and others.

My memories mainly start after the death of my father. I was just five, and we moved from my grandfather's large home to our residence on 3026 East Superior St. in Duluth. Mom wanted to move the family further away from the downtown now that she was alone.

It was at this time that Uncle Jim and Aunt Mary filled me in on Mom's early life and her leaving with Mary and Delia for America. This was the time I really felt that I had finally learned about my mother. We made many trips back and the last time was in 2011, when Jeanne and John Pratt were also there.

She did not speak of Ireland, even when we asked questions later on in life. I do not know if she missed you all or was now living a life she had never imagined. She had married very well and life was without a worry, until her world fell apart with Daddy's death. Now she was alone to raise five children. As a child I don't think any of us realized how strong she was as a widow, and I am sure very lonely.

I have a special place in my heart (as did Duane as he met the family) for all of my Irish family. I have loved my time playing golf, eating, partying, visiting with you all. I just wish Mom had lived long enough to see her American family meet and love her Irish family.

When I came home from school in 1945, there was a cable on the desk. It read: " Patrick Moran died April

I will end with this note: Mom's great strength and strong faith could only >>> 4

have come from her early life in Ireland. She needed it all, as she raised all of us alone. As I became a mother, then I did realize all she had accomplished. My love to you all and enjoy the DO and think of us fondly. My Love to all.. Patte

Bunratty Castle (1980): Around the table (from left): Angela Moran, Nora Peterson, "Chieftan for the night" Duane Peterson, Brother Terence, Nana Walters (Duane's mom), Patte Peterson, Paddy Moran, Seamus Healy.

Pat & Ellen >> Nora & Albert >> Patte Peterson Duane Peterson and Ronan Maguire

MORANPHOTOS Diarmuid Delaney's Wedding

Congratulations to Diarmuid Delaney and Maria Jervey, pictured at their wedding reception in Kippure Estate, Co. Wicklow on the 8th of June 2017. Wishing you a lifetime of health and happiness together. Pat & Ellen >> John A & Babe >> Tony & Nonie >> MairĂŠad & SeĂĄn >> Diarmuid & Maria

Expansion of My Mind, Heart and Family

that I could have never imagined. My first class taught me to think about the clinical applications of the topics we were learning about especially in regards to the effects of religion and mental health on sexual identity and also how therapy can be used to maintain healthy and loving relationships. My other class allowed me to explore the more historical and sociological side of the field. We took a study tour to Sweden for that class and it was interesting to get the perspective of not just one, but two Scandinavian countries in contrast to the perspective that I am used to in the United States. My favorite part was getting an in depth view of the Swedish sexual education program (which far exceeds any sexual education that is being taught in the US) and public bathing where I ended up having conversations with both my classmates and my female professor, nude. I enjoyed each second learning and absorbing every bit of information that I could despite the short amount of time.

Alison Adanaya

At the book launch in Dublin: Mary Quigg, Séamus Moran, Alison Adanaya

When I was in eighth grade, I “dated” a Danish boy. I use that term lightly because we all know what middle school relationships are like. While he did not last long, my interest in and desire to visit Denmark did and I was very blessed to finally be able to study abroad there these past couple of months through my university.

I was also lucky enough to go to Switzerland to visit some family friends and to hike the Swiss Alps which was another dream come true. My friend and I only got to spend one full day there, but we made sure to make the most of it. It was odd because the temperature in the mountains was in the 80s (Fahrenheit) so I was wearing a tank top while simultaneously standing by huge mounds of snow. The striking image of the snow covered peaks of the mountains against the perfectly cloudless, blue sky continues to take my breath away.

There were a vast variety of classes that I could have chosen from, but I decided to study the Psychology of Human Sexuality and Gender Studies and Sexuality in Scandinavia. Neither of the classes that I took related much to what I am currently studying in school, but I have always been endlessly fascinated by the way that people identify and express themselves. Besides, what better place to study these subjects than in Scandinavia? The classes that I took expanded my understanding in a way 6

My study abroad trip continued to fly by until all of a sudden my final project was turned in and I had to say my last goodbyes to the amazing friends and professors that I had had the pleasure of spending my time with while in Denmark. I packed everything up and made my way to the hotel that my Aunt Mary was staying in a couple of towns over. We proceeded to fly through the few days that we had allotted to viewing as much of Copenhagen as we could and before I knew it, I was on the plane over to Ireland for the first time. I was incredibly excited to meet some of my cousins at last, but I was also a little nervous as I always am when meeting new people. However, the instant my aunt and I met up with Ann, I knew that my fear was ridiculous. Every person that I met while in Ireland was nothing but wonderful and chatty and I had an incredible amount of fun. I came back to my family in Indiana and told them that we needed to go back as soon as we could so that they could meet everyone and spend more time getting to know the Irish side of the family.

had a blast mingling with the family and friends who had shown up and I was amazed to find out that most of the people in the room were related to me in some way. Up until that point, I had been used to having just 5 cousins so this was quite a surprise to me. My favorite thing was that each time I met a new person, he or she would almost immediately ask who I was related to so that we could figure out how we were related to each other. I had never felt so immediately comfortable with a group of people until that night, and my only regret is that I couldnâ€™t spend more time in Ireland. The next morning, my aunt and I had to head back to the U.S. and all I knew was that I had to come back. There are still so many more things that I want to visit and people that I want to meet. My family and I hope that we can participate in the Moran Cup soon and finally represent the Indiana branch of the family. Of course, if anyone of the family finds themselves by/in Indiana, there will always be a place to stay. We would be happy to see you all here stateside!

The first night I was there, I got to see Once which was amazing and the next day Aunt Mary and I ran all over Dublin fitting in the sites that the city is known for. Of course, a highlight of the trip was the launch for Seamusâ€™ wonderful book. I had been reading it while in Sweden and Denmark in preparation for the night, but his reading of a few choice selections were much better than anything I could have heard in my head. The crowd was incredibly supportive of him and made the atmosphere fun and lively. I

I want to thank everyone for their generous hospitality and welcoming and loving attitudes towards us. It meant the world that I could finally meet some of you and that I got to visit Ireland. I hope that I will get to see you all soon whether in Ireland or in Indiana!

Pat & Ellen >> Nora & Albert >> Rosemary & Paul >> Jeanne & Glen >> Alison Adanaya

MORAN STORIES

The Ballad of JJ McHale

The Moran Clan turned out in numbers, along with many other friends and well-wishers, to celebrate the launch of Séamus Moran's debut novel 'The Ballad of JJ McHale'. Séamus read a selection of funny, touching and saucy scenes from the life and times of the eponymous JJ McHale. The star-studded book launch event took place on July 5th in Dublin's 'Winding Stair' bookshop. A great night was had by all. The Ballad of JJ McHale is available to buy in paperback or for download to kindle on Amazon.com.

Standing at back (L-R): Mary Berney, Peter Moran, Alma Moran, Gemma Aylward, Séamus Moran, Breda Maguire, Mary Quigg, Tom Moran. Sitting in front (L-R): Katie Moran, Stephen Moran, Ann Meehan, Shay Moran, Mairéad Delaney, Denise Moran, Alison Adinaya.

Living in China

who I met a few years ago drove me around the city at night time on an electric bike and I was mesmerized by the lights and just about everything else that was going on. From then on I started to adjust and settle into the changes of the Chinese culture.

Gerard Fagan

The Chinese are amazed by seeing “foreigners” in a city of about eight and a half million, with a scarcity of western people; the pale white skin, freckles and blue eyes are a very desirable feature to have. It's as if you are almost a celebrity, getting stopped to take pictures, getting bought drinks on a night out etc. If you know me, you will know that this didn’t bother me in the slightest, I actually really enjoy it to be honest (ha ha). I work for a great company called Eden English, and yes you guessed it as an English teacher, or Lao Shi as they call it in Chinese. A job that was daunting at the start, after a short period of time I became a popular teacher with the young Chinese kids with a somewhat unorthodox way of teaching compared to the teaching styles at home. I teach about sixty different children in little classes of between six to ten students, and their age is usually between three and ten.

Gerard Fagan working as teacher/climbing frame in Nanning, China

On the 11th of August I left all the comforts of little Lavallyroe for the “Green City” of Nanning, Guangxi, China. Looking back, was I scared? Most definitely, but I had it in my mindset that I would welcome the strange and accept the different. After a twenty-five hour trip, I landed in Nanning greeted by a little thirty-year old Chinese man with little English called Jack, who has become a great friend of mine.

I love teaching, it's a very enjoyable and rewarding job and it's a prestigious job to have in Nanning. I could type for hours about each of the kids and different stories. I have a favorite student though, a little boy called King, a truly fitting name. As English teachers you are expected to give new Chinese students English names, so don't be surprised in a few years if you meet a few Chinese people with good old Irish names.

On my way from the airport to my new apartment the scenes were a lot different to what I expected and a lot of thoughts were racing through my mind, the main one being; have I made a huge mistake in coming here? Later that night my good friend Paul 9

A lot of people thought I was mad in the head for going to China, especially one of my favorite people in the world my grandmother, Kathleen. I can’t type all of the things she said but there were some crackers. Maybe I am mad, but I am delighted that I took a big leap into the unknown. You have a lot of time to yourself in a different country like China, time to figure out what you want in life and also to develop yourself in a different culture and learn new life skills.

My experience of travelling has truly opened up my eyes to the world as we see it. The best way I can describe it would be to imagine yourself as a fiveyear-old child again. You can't read anything, you have only the most rudimentary sense of how things work and you don’t understand what most people are saying. My whole existence became a series of interesting guesses. I have started to read more since moving to China, and a quote that sticks in my mind is Mark Twain's “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness”.

There are many stereotypes about China, food for instance being one of them. Food here isn’t like your local Chinese in town and they don’t all eat dog, cats and rats... all of the time (ha ha). I have seen barbecued dog, rats, cats, and goats. You name it and I have probably come across it at some stage. I have to say it is only in certain places you will see this kind of thing and it’s rarely you would just stumble across it, you would have to go looking for it. I have tried a lot of weird foods since I came here, but I have never tasted any of the above mentioned. The food is mostly rice or noodle dishes served with a lot of vegetables and very little meat, a huge contrast to the meals we eat at home.

If you have ever wanted to travel to China and have the opportunity, I would definitely recommend it. If you are going anywhere it has to be the Great Wall of China in Beijing. I was there three weeks ago and it has been my favorite day in China so far. It’s only when you are away from home, friends and especially your family, that you realize how beautiful our little island is. You realize the more you travel that you are a cultural ambassador for your own country. You never become more patriotic than you do living abroad. Take care and well wishes to all my relations and who knows, maybe next year I will be back to play alongside my Uncle PJ and my four younger brothers Shane, Daniel, Harry and Dermot in the Moran reunion next year.

Travelling is something I do as often as possible. I have visited many places since I arrived last August including, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macau, Beijing, Guilin, Yangshou, Sanya, and I am going travelling around Thailand for two weeks on the 14th of August. I also have done many day trips to smaller places around Guangxi. That is a lot of travelling in a short period of time and that is probably why Nanning is called the door to South East Asia.

Zai Jian! (Goodbye!)

Pat & Ellen >> John A & Babe >> PJ & Kathleen >> Trish & Ger >> Gerard Fagan 10

MORANPHOTOS Seán and Geri Moran Visit Lavallyroe

Seán & Geri Moran came home from New York for Seán's nephew Diarmuid Delaney's wedding in June 2017 (see p.5). On the trip they paid a flying visit to Seán's cousin Trish in Lavallyroe. This photo captures the visit, with Seán and Geri, all the Lavallyroe Morans, Fagans and Reinhardts, and cousin Mary Geary from Galway. Seán told lots of happy stories of his visits many years ago. As a young child Seán always came on his holidays to his grandparents Babe and John A in Lavallyroe.

Back row: Jack Reinhardt, Geri Moran, Seán Moran. Next row: Mary Geary, Trish Fagan, Kathleen Moran, Sinead Reinhardt. Next row: Jason Reinhardt, Daniel Fagan, baby Charlotte Moran held by Dermot Fagan, baby Sophia Moran held by PJ Moran Sn. Front: Sarah Moran holding PJ Moran Jr., Emma Jane Reinhardt held by Kurt Reinhardt. Standing back right: Shane Fagan & Harry Fagan Pat & Ellen >> John A & Babe >> Tony & Nonie >> Seán & Ger Moran 11

The Six Amigos

Ruairi Kilbane arrived of all days, July 30th 2001, just on the day of the Moran Do, first son of Kelly and JP in Galway.

Bernie Moran

On December 19th that same year, just in time for Christmas, Cathal Moroney became a wonderful Christmas present for Orla and Tim. November 2013 saw a great brother, Fionn, arrive for Ruairi and they are great friends for each other. This year we saw the icing on the cake. The two brothers in Galway got a wonderful sister Grace Bernadette on April 28th.

L-R: Grace, Ruairi, Fionn, Alexander, Ella, Cathal

Heartiest Congratulations on approaching fifty wonderful years of celebrations of the Moran Cup and Do. "Agus go ndeana Dia trócaire ar anamacha na ndaoine atá imithe romhainn" (and may God have mercy on the souls that are gone).

The greatest event happened on May the 31st when Fionan and partner Jennifer presented us with a beautiful baby boy Alexander Matthew, the first Moran for two generations. I can only finish by saying Deo Gratias. (Thanks be to God.)

I am inclined to put pen to paper this year to "crow" about our wonderful additions to the family of "THE MORAN DO".

Pat & Ellen >> Patrick & Mary >> Mattie & Bernie

I feel associated with this big gettogether for forty-six years, having first attended a "Moran Do "in 1971 in "The Beaten Path" before Matt and I tied the knot in 1972. They've all been wonderful years but I must confess the last eight since my retirement have been "super". That of course was marked by the arrival of six wonderful grandchildren.

Our love and best wishes go out to Séamus Healy as he continues his recovery to good health. We look forward to having Séamus and Ellen back at the Moran Do in 2018.

Ella Moroney was born in Dublin in March 2009 a wonderful retirement present first child for Orla and husband Tim. 12

One Night in Cloonacastle

A Moran Melody One Night in Cloonacastle

Katie Moran It all seems less scary From under this table, It’s cold oak conceals you It’s safe and it’s stable. This table will shield you from: The clearing of throats, Silly Dad jokes, The Squeals and the beats, One, two, threeing of feet.

Joyriders! c. 1997 (Top: L-R) Katie Moran, Linda Meehan, Patrick Moran. (Front) Mark Meehan, Marc Healy, Jenny Galvin, Fergal Moran, Robbie Galvin

Venture out, only For samples of scampi, Packets of Tayto, Pound coins from your Aunty.

For a couple of years now people have been asking that I write a recount of the night some of the Moran children hatched a plan to steal one of the golf buggys. A long story short, the keys were acquired, we piled onto the buggy, Linda was driving, it was pitch black and out of nowhere we were stopped in our tracks with a major head-on collision.

Avoid being lured into the lap Of a cousin twice removed, Whose pinchers will fasten Tightly to your cheek. Her siren stuck on repeat. Over and over, “who is he like”? “Is it Uncle Mike”? “Or Albert? ...No John”! On and On…

Anyway hopefully the following poem will paint a more vivid picture of the night's events, while touching on what the Moran Cup meant to us as children.

Pat & Ellen >> Jim & Katie >> Paddy & Betty >> Séamus & Eleanor >> Katie Moran 13

Till up starts a song, And it doesn’t take long, Distracted. Caught up in the diddly-I, Spirits are high And I spy with my little eye, A golf-buggy in sight, Getaway. Grab your comrades, Dash into the night!

The elders manage to settle on a seat, While the childers hold tight, with gritted teeth. “Sharp right!” cries Mark. The buggy swerves, All goes dark. With a thud that sends tremors right through to the tenth, Stopped in our track, Young Moran, laid out on his back.

Robbie seize the keys! Granny B’s gonna have a seizure On Galvin, On Moran, On Meehan, On Healy, On Aylward, On Sheehan, All from Ballyconneely.

Scurries and squeals, “Quick get rid of the keys.” “Abandon ship.” “Gerrup Stephen ya sap! You're grand, not a scratch.”

One cousin assumes the role of captain. Then backtracks. “Shite, I don’t know how to drive.” “Where’s Linda?” “She’s won the cup.” “With her at the helm we’re sure to survive.”

Back to the “do”, diddley do, Burst through the door, Tap ‘cross the floor, Pick up a guitar, Blend in at the bar, Back under the table, Breathe. Curl up at your parents’ feet, Pretend to be asleep.

It’s all pedal to the metal, A Moran medley, Squished like sardines, Never closer it seems. 14

Moran Cup,

2016 Moran Cup Champion Stephen Moran

Future Moran Cup Champs - J J Glynn, Alex Kerins, Harry Fagan, Daniel Fagan Golfing for Moran glory! Robert Galvin, Fergal Moran, Padraic Moran, J P Kilbane <<< >>> International Moran Youth Gillian Moran, Katie Moran-Barth Leon Giblin, Austin Bradley, Gabby Wynne

SĂŠamus Healy with all 2016 Junior Cup players. 15 Healy, Leon L-R: Johnny Barth, Alex Kerins, Austin Bradley, Seamus Giblin, Daniel Fagan, J J Glynn, Katie Moran-Barth, Harry Fagan

At the 1st Tee - Johnny Moran, Brona Moran, John Giblin

Mistress of Ceremonies Angela Anderson

Do & BBQ 2016

A riveting read for all ages! Austin Bradley and Katie McGauran engrossed in the 2016 Moran Mag.

Katie, Angela, Bernard share a joke and a joint at the Barbie!

Mickey croons a tune at the Friday night song-song

Each generation makes the Moran Do their own - kids toasting marshmallows on the BBQ! ďƒ˘

Raised on songs and stories! Kevin regales Eleanor, cousin Helen and mum Helen at the Moran Do after-party.

Enjoying a drink at the DO - Stephen Moran, Robert 16 Galvin, Ellen Anderson, Honor King, David Rynne

Who let the dogs out?! Patrick Moran and Luisa, close to his heart!

MORAN STORIES Aisling Spain Wedding

On the 11th of November 2016, Aisling Spain married Mark Hunt at the Glasson Country House Hotel, Co. Westmeath. The bridesmaid was her sister Eimear and best man was Mark's friend Patrick Collins. While it rained on the day it did not dampen the spirits of all who attended. Aisling and Mark have made Belfast their home. Aisling is Maureen Tyrrell's first grand-child and Margaret Moran's second great-grandchild.

Eimear, Aisling, Marie & Siabhra (Margaret Moran's first great great grandchild)

Aisling and Mark

The Dillon Crew - Back Row (L-R) Diarmuid Cooney, Eoin Cooney, Sean Dillon, Michael Cooney, Sanjeev Kumar, Noel Dillon. Middle Row (L-R) Carol Ivory, Marie Dillon Spain, Mark Hunt, Eimear Spain, Trina Cooney. Front Aisling Spain

Pat & Ellen >> Margaret & Tom >> Maureen & John >> Marie & Ray >> Aisling Spain

The Spiral of Dance by Lucy Moran (14) The fizzing instigates As the rhythm holds my fate Up, down, right and left This big black void of space Nobody around me But I still know they're there Eyes fixated on me Frozen in mid-air The tornado is cascading As the world around me is fading Enveloped in emotions Everyone's just waiting Climbing higher and higher Until it reaches the sky I can't go on for much longer The notes continue to fly At last the whirlwind's over Collapsed on the floor The frantic frenzy has been tamed The dance is no more.

Lucy dancing at the All England Dance National Finals

Pat & Ellen >> Jim & Katie >> Tom & Kay >> Tom & Nicola >> Lucy Moran

Halloween

on doors, penny for the púca-ing. The bravest among us, Jennifer Berney, would venture into the local hostelries and make out like a bandit. One year she was mugged for her takings. The outrage. My father, apprised of the crime, stormed down the hill with a sketchy description of the perp - a devil in a black bin liner. Who knows how many innocent devils were terrified that night.

Helen Berney

My cousin Bernard Healy came up with one of the best costumes I have seen. He attached tennis and badminton racquets, table-tennis paddles and cricket bats to himself with string and happily stated.. ”I’m Batman.”

Little angels! Emma and Helen Berney

Ahh, Halloween. I remember the

I think that was for the carnival fancy dress, though. This was a once yearly extravaganza when the travelling amusements people would set up in the car park beside the church - the waltzer, the chairoplanes, the bumpers, the give us your money while we laugh as you try and knock down things that are glued to a shelf.

days when all you needed to shake down the villagers for monkey nuts and cash was a black bin liner and a complete suspension of disbelief. Of course there were masks too, but these were made of some plastic extrusion product that created razor sharp fillets at the openings for nostrils and mouths, lethal if you moved your head inside the cavity. They came in three varieties – witch, devil and Frankenstein. You could drown in the condensation that formed on the inside. They were held in place by a thin string of elastic stapled to either side of the mask. If you were lucky both staples would stay in place. Inevitably one popped, and you had to do your collection with one hand held to your temple, like the most effete Frankenstein that ever lived.

And the fancy dress competition. Ah tradition. While parents were little involved on Halloween night, in our house the carnival fancy dress was an opportunity for my father to satirise current national politics through the medium of small children and an assortment of household items. One year, my sister Emma was dressed in a suit and hat and placed in our yellow plastic laundry basket. The basket was placed on a wheelable platform that I pushed. Everytime we

We would all troop down the hill, bin bags billowing in the breeze, knocking 19

passed the judging panel, I tapped the side of the laundry basket and Emma would pop-up. Jack in the box. Jack Lynch and his think tank. Or at least that was the idea. The first time she popped up, everyone laughed. I wheeled around the circuit and tapped again, no Emma/Jack. She nestled down and refused to come out again. I’m sure that’s why we didn’t win a prize.

carnival tent, I tossed my mane of lustrous black curls. The name attached to string around my neck might say “Máire GeogheganQuinn”, but in my heart, I was Kelly!

We were surrounded by cowboys, nurses, Poncherello and Jon from Chips, and Feenagh Keyes smelling faintly of the coffee that her mother used to stain her skin for her Indian princess costume. As I looked around, I realised that few other children had any political statement to make. Didn’t their parents care about the state of the nation?

Next generation of Berney Halloweeners Conchobhar and Maedhbh

Pat & Ellen >> Jim & Katie >> Mary & Bernard >> Helen Berney

One year, I thought our time had come. When we asked Da what we were going to dress up as he said “Charlie’s Angels”. We couldn’t believe our luck. “I’ll be Kelly, Emma can be Sabrina and maybe Jen can be Kris because she has the closest thing to blonde hair in the family. “ “Who’s Sabrina?” asked Da, “Do you mean Sile?” Light dawned – Charlie’s Angels- Sile De Valera, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn and maybe Mary Harney with the disembodied voice of Charles J Haughey to tell us our mission.

If the Internet is anything to go by the Morans aren't doing too bad!

As we circled passed the judges in the 20

MORANPHOTOS Diarmuid, Lisa, Gillian, Mary and Lily Moranâ€™s USA Trip, Summer 2017

NYC

(L to R) Johnny, Gillian, Mary, Lisa, Susie, Katie with Lily in front

Diarmuid with John Peterson son of Mark in Cincinnati John is married to Lisa and their new daughter (b.2016) is Nora

With Barry, Mary, Patrick Cronin & Co in Queens, NY

Diarmuid, Molly Cronin, Pete Greco, Gillian, Lily and Mary in front. Queens, NY

Pat & Ellen >> Patrick & Mary >> Tom & Ann >> Diarmuid Moran 21

The Morans and Six Degrees of Separation Paul Maguire

Six degrees of separation is the idea that all living things and everything else in the world are six or fewer steps away from each other so that a chain of “a friend of a friend” statements can be made to connect any two people in a maximum of six steps. The Moran’s are certainly not excluded from this theory and indeed may have a lesser degree of separation.

Artane: Sister Monica, Liz Maguire, Helen Sheehan Our initial assumption that she had entered the order – they have a cracking retirement home – having been dispelled, it transpired that Helen had volunteered to assist the Sisters for which everyone is most grateful. She knew someone who knew someone – that six degree thing.

An example of this is the story of the Killeshandra Nuns, myself and Auntie Helen, oh and Karen Capria for good measure!

Fast forward to May 2017 and we are with the Sisters at a reception for them at De Paul University in Chicago when who should join us but a member of the Illinois Morans, Karen Capria.

Attending a fundraiser at a church in Philadelphia four years ago I was approached by a lady who wondered if our non profit advisory services could help an order of Irish Missionary Sisters fundraise in the USA. Being somewhat reticent to go against the power of prayer we undertook the assignment and organized a campaign for the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary (“Killeshandra Nuns”).

So from a church in Philadelphia to a Sister’s home in Artane to a University in Chicago, the Moran network is strong indeed.

Included in this adventure was the opening of their retirement facility in Artane in August 2014, where we were ably supported by “Reverend Mother” Breda and her team of Aylwards, Donovans and Maguires. Meeting Auntie Helen subsequent to this great event she became the recipient of one of our booklets on the celebration. A year later on a visit to Artane with Liz for tea and biscuits who should arrive but the Aunt herself.

Philadelphia: Paul Maguire, Karen Capria Pat & Ellen >> Jim & Katie >> Breda & Ronan >> Paul Maguire 22

Longitude 60's Style

framed photo of herself when younger and a certificate to mark her long service to the guild. Breda is the longest serving member of the Newbridge ICA Guild and not only did she enjoy the craic at the afternoon tea celebration with her ICA pals that day but she was interviewed by the journalist from the local county newspaper The Nationalist as well!!

"Somewhere to go, something to do"

Claire Maguire

She vividly recalls going to join the ICA in 1963 when she moved with Ronan and little Paul and Gemma down to the country town of Newbridge where Ronan had settled into his new job with Irish Ropes Ltd. Having worked in the Custom House before she wed, she had enjoyed socialising in Dublin and was glad to join the newly formed ICA guild. As a young mother she benefitted from being a member of the ICA family. Breda was in her thirties then and recalls that it was "great to have somewhere to go and to have something to do".

branch of the Irish Countrywoman’s Association or the ‘ICA’ was established. Women of all ages welcomed the opportunity to meet their peers, socialise and learn new skills. On 27th May 2017, that guild celebrated its 55 years in existence.

For as long as we can remember "I’ve the ICA next Thursday" became familiar words in our home. Meetings were held twice a month and Breda loved attending. She regularly baked for a meeting (they couldn’t always eat all she baked; leftovers always came home – yummy!). There were monthly competitions. A flower arrangement… a table centre? Some scones? A picture using recycled materials… recite a poem… all little challenges…aka lots of fun!

My Mam Breda got a big surprise when in the midst of the occasion, she was feted by the current Guild President Doris. She was presented with a

Breda is immensely proud of her involvement with the ICA (guild and organisation) and of the opportunities it provided and continues to provide

Breda Maguire holding her certificate of service to the Newbridge guild of the ICA

In Newbridge Co. Kildare in 1962, a

for women. She was elected Guild President on two occasions. She eagerly looked forward to those Thursday nights in the town ‘at the ICA’. Cooking demonstrations and talks were regular features on the events calendar and there were trips to working factories Odlums Flour Mills, the Arklow Pottery company and to Navan Carpets among others. Craft making was encouraged and skills imparted; they were active! They baked, sang in choirs and acted in competitions at regional and national levels. At a time in Ireland when the State forbade married women to engage in employment, the ICA provided an outlet to thousands of women whose home and lives were enhanced as a result. It was a voice for women in conservative Ireland and successfully campaigned to have

women accepted into Templemore to train as Gardaí and to have a mobile breast screening unit nationwide. The ICA is a non-political organisation and there are guilds countrywide. Breda and her pals in the ICA participated with other community groups and schools in the town this year for June Fest, where they yarnbombed the much loved/used local riverside park. ICA members knitted bunting and animals for their Crazy Zoo Tree! Mammy herself knitted one or two of the triangles for the bunting. She proudly showed me around the park on a visit to Newbridge in June. Go ICA! Pat & Ellen >> Jim & Katie >> Breda & Ronan >> Claire Maguire

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MORANSTORIES The Fastest Kid in Conshy! Ginny Leonard has been dubbed 'the fastest kid in Conshy' (Conshohocken, PA, USA)! Ginny participated in a series of 50-yard dash races over five weeks this spring and was announced as the overall champion in the under-4 division. Mom Becky is expecting Notre Dame Track and Field coach to call any day now. Pat & Ellen >> Jim & Katie >> Breda & Ronan >> Paul & Linda >> Becky & Bill >> Ginny Leonard

Anthony Murphy's Will

This is the last will and testament of me Anthony Murphy of the townland of Ballinastokagh, Co. Mayo.

(1860 - 1898)

I bequeath Mary Ellen Godfrey the sum of fifty pounds to be invested in the Post Office with interest accumulating when she is 21. I bequeath to my sister Mrs. Mary Howley nĂŠe Murphy the sum of fifty pounds. I make Pat Murphy, Moate, a present of the eight pounds he owes me. I bequeath my cow to my sister Brigid. I bequeath my gold watch to my brother Pat and my chain to Thomas Finnegan and all the rest of my property to my brother Pat and my sister Brigid, share and share alike.

Anthony Murphy's Will

This historical gem was discovered by

And I appoint as my executors James Treston of Cottage and Pat Godfrey of Ballyveel and Pat Murphy of Cooloo NJ as my executors.

Karen Capria and Linda Meehan, revealing the fate of, amongst other things, Anthony Murphy's cow and watch chain. Nice sleuthing guys!

Signed this 14th Feb 1898 Anthony Murphy

Anthony Murphy died the day after writing this Will. He ran a pub in Manchester called 'Spread Eagle' and never married. So he had a bit of dosh stashed away it seems.

Witnesses MJ Lowrey Thomas Finnegan

Anthony Murphy was a first cousin of clan matriarch Ellen Moran. Via a different family link, Anthony's brother-in-law Thomas Finnegan, named in the Will, was also the father of Katie Moran (nĂŠe Finnegan). A new sibling of Anthony Murphy (Mary Howley) hadn't been known to clan researchers before. She is documented for the first time in the Will and did quite well for herself in it!

Spread Eagle Pub, Manchester 1958 25

MORAN STORIES

A Tenner bet on Katie Do!

A week after the Moran Do, a gang of Morans head for the Roscommon Races. Young Austin Bradley finds €10 on the ground and places a bet with it. He wins the race and €30. Everyone jokes that his granddad Jimmy must have put it there for him. Jimmy fancied the bet, and somehow Austin knew the horse to back (after all, Austin is named after Jimmy in reverse - James Austin, Austin James). In a later race there is a Moran-themed horse running called “Katie Do”. Everyone thinks that Granny Moran must be getting in on the act. Bets are placed and Katie Do comes in a winner at 20/1. Spooky... and lucrative!!!!

Winners Alright! L-R: Linda Meehan, Caroline Moran, Austin Bradley, Ian Moran, Audrey Moran

North Ronaldsay

It is there on North Ronaldsay that I will be, once again, as the Moran Do starts and finishes in Ballinrobe. There I will once again engage in an Environmental Conservation project and work side by side with other volunteers from the UK and beyond, and with islanders, to rebuild parts of the 13-mile natural Stone Sheep dyke which was first built in the 1830s and has been rattled somewhat by recent storms in 2010 and 2012.

Claire Maguire

I first heard of North Ronaldsay and her people on the television program Countryfile in January 2016. I was taken by the fact that the demise of the island population meant that there simply were not enough people to fix the gaps in the sheep dyke which needed to be rebuilt. Help was needed. As I was listening, I heard myself say ‘I could do that’ and sent off an email to an address I found via a Google search engine. Three months later, I was contacted by someone from the North Ronaldsay Sheep Foundation with news of a festival which Kate Traill Price was spearheading. We were in contact by email for months; I was selected to participate on the project and was one of a small number of volunteers to have my food and board subsidised while we travelled on our own steam to the tiny island in the North Atlantic, North Ronaldsay.

Claire ready to build walls on North Ronaldsay

Picture an island up in Scotland… like way up… like way, way up, so far up that you’re nearly in the Shetland Islands, near the tip of.. Norway! Except that you’re not there, you’re on North Ronaldsay, which is one of the Orkney Islands. You’ve guessed it, the most northerly of the Orkney isles. No trees, no shrubs, no crops… Angus cattle, stone dykes, a Bird Observatory, and sheep, Oh yes, lots of sheep. Small in stature, they nuzzle at the bare grass that grows here; a few different breeds in on the grassland and then beyond the stone walls, out on the edges of this small special island to which I will return this year are the scraggy greyish brown coated North Ronaldsay sheep which are deemed a ‘protected species’. Special sheep, living on the foreshore, eating seaweed. ‘Thriving on seaweed’ to be exact; their existence threatened by storms which have caused gaps in the perimeter wall on the island, often with devestating effects.

When the islanders talk of the mainland, it is the main Orkney island to which they refer. An eight-seater plane takes one from Kirkwall to North Ronaldsay, to a newly opened terminal building no bigger than the average dining room. The service operated by Loganair functions as bus, train, post 27

van and delivery van. A return trip to the islands costs just ÂŁ21 (once you stay one night on an island). The scenery is beautiful and the journey takes less than 15 minutes.

upcoming Electric Picnic gig. Well our versions of Valerie were second to none! We enjoyed the culinary and hospitality skills of the staff at the Bird Obs especially Bryonyâ€™s Sticky Toffee Pudding and the delish Orkney icecream. A community dance was held and that was great fun altogether with everyone (and I mean everyone) out dancing Scottish folk dances to a live band and having the craic.

My stay on this special island and with her people and the variety of birds and the masses of seals basking on the rocks and the waves and the comraderie of those I met and worked alongside enlightened me and I am happy to be returning to this very special place. The welcome we received from the islanders was massive; this was a new departure for everyone. We had a lot of fun, working at various points on the beach, walking, cycling, visiting the lighthouse, viewing the art exhibits, meeting the locals and finding in ourselves qualities we had in common, an interest in others, the ability to write, the space to read, to breathe, to grow. We had great fun as there was plenty of music in the ObsCafe/Bar every evening with performance from Kevin, his wife Alison and daughter Heather and singalongs while yours truly strummed her ukulele as I practised for my

At the start of week two last year, I was interviewed for BBC Radio Orkney with Kate, and then participated in some rounding up of sheep before clipping (shearing) one of the sheep for about twenty minutes using a sharp hand shears. That was interesting!! So I am off out to North Ron again, to give and to get. I shall be thinking of you all on the day and night of the Moran Do. Have fun. https://www.nrsheepfestival.com/ Pat & Ellen >> Jim & Katie >> Breda & Ronan >> Claire Maguire

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"The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living" Marcus Cicero Our condolences to Linda, Mark and Ann Meehan on the passing of David Meehan on July 27th. This year also saw the passing of Keval Murphy in Australia, cousin on the Ellen Murphy side of the family, who was featured in the 2014 Moran Mag. Our heartfelt love and prayers go to all Morans who are grieving a loss this year. 28

My God’s better than your God! song by Shay Moran My God’s better than your God, my way is the only way Take a look in my holy book, and that’s what it will say I’m a Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Christian devotee I’m gonna be saved because of my faith in a God who loves just me. My God’s better than your God, He’s made of peace and love He’s in the bees and the trees and the breeze, and He comes from up above He comes from the earth, He comes from the sea, He comes from the shining sun He created this whole Creation and He loves everyone. My God’s better than your God, He died for all our sins Our holy task is to go to mass, and say our prayers to Him He was born in a manger when the world was in danger of becoming a big disaster So He died on the cross for the sheep that were lost And He came back three days after. My God’s better than your God, He’s got ten thousand arms He’s Vishnu, Brahma, Krishna, Rama, every name and form He killed the demons in Lanka, and the Kauravas, don’t forget! But if your karma’s done, it’s liberation, from the cycle of birth and death. My God’s better than your God, She’s a woman, didn’t you know?! She’s the Mother of all the Universe, great mercy She can show Her name is Kali, Radhe, Sita, Tara and Mary And Sheela Na Gig likes a reel and a jig, at an Irish dancing céilí. O Dear God, we really are confused There’s so many religions, which one should we choose? Or maybe you can wake us up, and we can really see This world you’ve made is unity in diversity! My God’s better than your God, Allah is his name He sent his saints and prophets, to make us all start prayin’ In the same direction, off to Mecca, five times every day And to cover up the women so they won’t be sinnin’, it’s what the scriptures say! My God’s better than your God, He’s the God of Abraham He gave us ten commandments and promised us some land He stuck it to the Egyptians, by sending plague and pest In your face, we’re the chosen race, God loves us the best.

My God’s better than your God, Buddha is his name Well, He’s not really God, He’s an enlightened being, but it’s basically just the same They say we’re not a religion, we’re just a philosophy But we got the Four Noble Truths and the Eight-fold path and that makes us quite happy. O Dear God, we really are confused There’s so many religions, which one should we choose? Or maybe you can wake us up, and we can really see This world you’ve made is unity in diversity! No God’s better than your God, I’m proud to be an atheist I’m an educated, rational, intelligent man, I’m a logical materialist My life began the day I was born, it ends the day I die Your old religion is superstition, and heaven is just a lie! My God’s better than your God, He’s an Advaitic Sad Guru He says I’m the Self and there’s nobody else, and there’s nothing I can do He says I’m just a witness, and ‘Being’ itself is bliss There’s no confusion, it’s all illusion, nothing really exists! O Dear God, we really are confused There’s so many religions, which one should we choose? Or maybe you can wake us up and we can really see This world you’ve made is unity in diversity! Yes, my God’s better than your God, He’s made of peace and love He’s in the bees and the trees and the breeze and He comes from up above He comes from the earth, He comes from the sea, He comes from the shining sun He created this whole Creation and He loves everyone. She created this whole creation and She loves everyone. We created this whole creation and We love everyone!!

Pat & Ellen >> Jim & Katie >> Tom & Kay >> Shay Moran

Breda's Maguire's Easy Chicken Dish My Favourite Recipe of 2017... Easy Chicken Dish [Prep: 10mins Cooking time: 30m max] Ingredients: 6 Chicken Breasts 1 x 190g jar of Green Pesto 2 Tubs of Cottage Cheese 3 generous Tablespoons grated Parmesan Cheese Directions: · Preheat oven to 200deg / 180 fan oven / Gas mark 6 · Lay chicken breasts side by side in oven-proof dish · Spread Pesto evenly over each fillet · Spread cottage cheese evenly over the pesto · Sprinkle grated parmesan over the cottage cheese · Bake for 25-30 minutes. Serve. Enjoy!

Slán abhaile... The 50th anniversary of the first Moran Do will take place on Saturday 3rd August 2019. Start planning now to be with us at what will be a very special occasion (if the 40th was anything to go by!) If you have any ideas regarding those celebrations, please email Angela at asaanderson@ntlworld.com with suggestions. You can access and read the Moran Mag online in full colour by typing this into your browser: https://issuu.com/moranmag. This can be an easy way to share the Moran Mag with family members abroad.

Next Year’s Moran Cup and Do will take place on ... 31

Saturday 4th August 2018