C. Lee McKenzie

Young Adult and Middle Grade Author

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Everyone Must Be Irish

July 6, 2015 By C. Lee McKenzie 63 Comments

The Emerald Isle

My Last Day to Drive in Ireland_2015

I’ve been off enjoying another time in Ireland and no matter who I tell about my trip, they come back with, “My roots are in Ireland.” It seems the Irish poured into the states and had a few children.

My maternal grandfather and grandmother were definitely Irish. Riley and Murray to be exact. And I’ve tracked the line back to the 1800’s where I found my great-great+? grandfather who was a doctor and a horse breeder in Tennessee.

As I sat sipping my Guinness in a local pub with some distant, but ever so wonderful, relatives it became very clear that I was sharing time with people from the same gene pool, and I was quite at home. I wanted to call my gram and gramps and tell them all about the experience, but that’s no longer possible. I’ll have to enjoy it without their knowing that after a few generations, a Riley-Murray enjoys returning to say hi.

One of my best excursions was to Leap Castle (often pronounced /lep/ by the locals). J.H. Moncrieff posted about this haunted castle in her AtoZ Challenge this year, and I discovered I was staying a short walk away. It was being redone, but from what I saw, there would be many years before you could say that process was complete. The “Tour” was interesting and a bit spooky as it should have been. I’ll tell you about that next week. 

Leap Castle, The Most Haunted Castle in Ireland

Special Offers Mailing List

I’m working on revamping my life–a lot, and one of my revamps is to create a mailing list for Special Offers I hope to make in the near future. I’ve added Mail Chimp to the top right of my webpage margin, and if you’d like to receive those special offers, please add your email. I’m not going to send a monthly newsletter or hound you regularly, but I will pop in once in a while with treats for those on my list. 

Quote of the Week

“The trouble with history is that there are too many people involved.” Novelist Nick Hornby

So…are you Irish? Ever been there? Do you love haunted castles? 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Ireland, Mailing List

Comments

  1. Alexa S. Winters says

    July 14, 2015 at 6:01 pm

    Hehe, great post! As far as I know I'm not Irish, but it's so cool that you were able to track your ancestry back that far!
    I'm a couple of different things on my mom's side (honestly, we're not completely sure; just know there's a lot of Black in there somewhere). But on my dad's side, I come straight from Ghana. Haven't been there yet, but maybe someday. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Alexa
    thessalexa.blogspot.com
    verbositybookreviews.wordpress.com

    Reply
  2. Birgit says

    July 14, 2015 at 12:09 am

    I am catching up! I love ancestry and this is great that you went back so far and that you got to visit this castle

    Reply
  3. Denise Covey says

    July 11, 2015 at 2:41 am

    Welcome home, Lee. Sure I'm Irish. One of the floors of the Guinness factory is named after my ancestors–the Gilroy floor. Aren't I lucky? 'Cept I don't like Guinness. Hubs does. And yes, I've visited County Fermanagh where my father's folks came from, close to Enniskillen. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  4. Elizabeth says

    July 10, 2015 at 3:46 am

    Ooh, that castle looks eerie! I haven't done all the research yet, but I know at least one of my maternal great-grandparents is of Irish descent.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      July 10, 2015 at 6:56 pm

      That counts! Very much.

      Reply
  5. Medeia Sharif says

    July 9, 2015 at 9:26 pm

    I'd love to visit Ireland one day. I've encountered many people with Irish in their blood. I signed up for your mailing list.

    Reply
  6. Elizabeth Varadan, Author says

    July 9, 2015 at 8:35 pm

    I don't know of any Irish in my family (there's some Welsh), but I've always wanted to go to Ireland. Still do. And that castle looks so mysterious!

    Reply
  7. Michael Di Gesu says

    July 9, 2015 at 4:05 am

    Oh, and yes, I LOVE haunted castles and hope to visit Ireland some day VERY soon… Like next year.

    Reply
  8. Michael Di Gesu says

    July 9, 2015 at 4:04 am

    Hi, Lee,

    I've always thought I had Irish in me, because as a kid I was a blue eyed blond and lived in an area with so many Irish residents. But, alas, the old family tree was completed by my first cousin… on my Dad's side and my roots stem way back to Vikings in the 12th Century, Egyptian in the 14th century, Spaniards in the 17th Century… so I guess, Like so many others from the Mediterranean coastline, I am mixed. But my immediate family (great grandparents) arrived in NYC in the 1880's from Southern Italy… SURPRISE… no Irish. LOL.

    Reply
  9. J.H. Moncrieff says

    July 9, 2015 at 4:02 am

    Argh! Glahhh! You're still keeping me in suspense!

    I'm not Irish, but I am Scottish. Kissing cousins, you might say.

    Reply
  10. M Pax says

    July 8, 2015 at 9:18 pm

    Nope, not Irish. Welsh. Does that count? I'd love to visit haunted castles. Your trip sounds amazing!

    Reply
  11. Carrie-Anne says

    July 8, 2015 at 7:15 pm

    My nine-greats-grandpap may have been Irish, though that would still only give me a drop of Irish blood. I'd love to visit Ireland, since I've long had a great love of the Irish people for how hard they fought for their independence and to maintain their culture in the face of British domination.

    Reply
  12. Tyrean Martinson says

    July 8, 2015 at 3:48 pm

    I love that you were able to visit that castle! I have a mixed bunch of roots – German, Dutch, Scottish, Irish, and English. So, I have a wee bit of Irish in me, and I would agree that Irish definitely seems to be in everyone's family tree somewhere. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  13. SA Larsenใƒƒ says

    July 8, 2015 at 1:16 pm

    Yeah, well, you won't hear me say that my roots are from Ireland. I'm French through and through. Not sure that's a good thing, but whatev. ๐Ÿ™‚ Way cool castle, btw.

    Reply
  14. Lexa Cain says

    July 8, 2015 at 4:14 am

    There's nothing cooler than a castle, wherever it may be. The iconic picture for a horror/suspense novel is a castle on a cliff with lightning in the background, and one light on in a castle window. Scaaaarrryyy!! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  15. Cherie Reich says

    July 7, 2015 at 6:32 pm

    I'm not sure about the Irish, although my roots do go back to England, Scotland, Wales, and Germany, so there may be Irish there too. You never know. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  16. Mark Noce says

    July 7, 2015 at 6:21 pm

    I love Ireland and have been there a few times to visit relatives:) For people who haven't been there, I tell them picture hobbits, but way cooler;)

    Reply
  17. Nadine_Feldman says

    July 7, 2015 at 3:05 pm

    I visited Ireland in 2005, and it was a wonderful trip! My DNA says I'm 25% Irish, though I have yet to track my family history back to Ireland.

    Reply
  18. Hilary Melton-Butcher says

    July 7, 2015 at 10:14 am

    Hi Lee – looks wonderful and sounds as though you immersed yourself in your Irish roots and had a lovely time: also adding to your family journey through the centuries now!

    Ireland is lovely isn't it .. had a magical trip as a 21 year old in Cork, and a girl friend and I travelled up the west side … and just generally chilled out. Came over to the Comeragh Mountains and on to Waterford. Also had another trip to Dublin in 'living' memory!!

    Would love to see more .. and now you're inspiring me … cheers Hilary

    Reply
  19. TBM says

    July 7, 2015 at 9:16 am

    Most are convinced my partner (redhead) is Irish, but she's Welsh. Not sure I have Irish blood, mostly English, Austrian, and Scandinavian according to my grandparents. I keep meaning to research my family tree more.

    Thanks for the tips on Dublin. Much appreciated!

    Reply
  20. Michelle Wallace says

    July 7, 2015 at 6:45 am

    I'm from Scottish descent. Haven't done any research though…
    That castle looks like a "story waiting to unfold…" – beautiful & SPOOKY!

    Reply
  21. Yvonne Ventresca says

    July 7, 2015 at 4:26 am

    Genealogy research confirms that I am indeed Irish. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  22. J.L. Campbell says

    July 7, 2015 at 2:55 am

    Love that quote about history!
    That castle does look spooky. Not sure I'd want to be on the inside of it.
    Good luck with reorganizing.

    Reply
  23. klahanie says

    July 7, 2015 at 2:51 am

    It be true, tis that famous celebrity author, Lee,

    Humblest of humble apologies for not commenting on your previous "I Was Seeking Gary" post. Which means, I shall maybe give you an even more interesting than usual comment on this post that you have shared with your ever growing fan base.

    Leap Castle could be just the place for you to reside in. Nice of you to be in the same time zone as myself. Heck, I could hear the cheering in Ireland in celebration of you being there.

    Yep, I'm honorary Irish and one of my best friends is from Dublin. Even though I haven't a clue what he's saying, I do somehow manage to nod my head at the right times. What's the craic, Lee?

    Your starstruckest fan,

    Gary ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  24. Shooting Stars Mag says

    July 7, 2015 at 2:22 am

    I don't believe I'm Irish, but I do feel like a lot of people are. I'd love to visit Ireland sometime – glad you enjoyed it.

    -Lauren

    Reply
  25. nashvillecats2 says

    July 6, 2015 at 8:45 pm

    I lived in Ireland for a few years, I know of a very lovley man from Ireland my Danny Boy.
    Loved your post great to read.
    Yvonne.

    Reply
  26. DEZMOND says

    July 6, 2015 at 8:24 pm

    I adore me Irish people, they're very much similar to my own people here both in history, character and music … even in their love of booze

    Reply
  27. Natalie Aguirre says

    July 6, 2015 at 8:09 pm

    Glad you had such a great trip. I'd love to visit an old castle like you did somewhere in that part of the world.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      July 6, 2015 at 8:13 pm

      Hope you get a chance to do it. It's great fun.

      Reply
  28. sage says

    July 6, 2015 at 7:42 pm

    I have only been to Dublin, but would enjoy an opportunity to travel the Irish countryside.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      July 6, 2015 at 8:04 pm

      It is truly beautiful. Be sure to do it.

      Reply
  29. Mason Canyon says

    July 6, 2015 at 6:31 pm

    I can only image how beautiful Ireland is and to be able to visit a haunted castle would be an extra bonus. Sounds like a wonderful trip.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      July 6, 2015 at 8:04 pm

      It was and far too short.

      Reply
  30. Sherry Ellis says

    July 6, 2015 at 6:20 pm

    Sounds like you had a nice trip. I'd love to hear about that haunted castle!

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      July 6, 2015 at 8:05 pm

      I'll be telling about the castle next week.

      Reply
  31. Susan Gourley/Kelley says

    July 6, 2015 at 5:58 pm

    I would love to explore an old castle, haunted or not. My mother's side is Irish, the Kelley's, and a small bit of the Irish on my husband's side.
    Susan Says

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      July 6, 2015 at 8:06 pm

      Kelleys are surely Irish. When you tell people there your Irish name or names, they can tell you where your ancestors immigrated from.

      Reply
  32. L. Diane Wolfe says

    July 6, 2015 at 5:52 pm

    I would love to explore that castle.

    Despite my red hair, I don't believe I have any Irish in me. I'm a quarter Dane on my mom's side and German on the other.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      July 6, 2015 at 8:09 pm

      I did see some lovely redheads in Ireland. The children are particularly adorable. There must have been some Irish visitors to Denmark and Germany.

      Reply
  33. Carol Kilgore says

    July 6, 2015 at 5:51 pm

    I have one stray Irish ancestor. Husband has a passel ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      July 6, 2015 at 8:10 pm

      It's easy to get a passel of Irish ancestors.

      Reply
  34. Chrys Fey says

    July 6, 2015 at 4:15 pm

    That is so cool that you went somewhere that JH mentioned in her challenge!

    I'm not Irish, but I feel that I am because I love everything Irish and have dreamed about going to Ireland since I was a kid.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      July 6, 2015 at 8:10 pm

      I hope you get your dream. It's always worth the trip.

      Reply
  35. Patricia Lynne says

    July 6, 2015 at 4:14 pm

    My hubby has some Irish in him. A relative did some family history, but I don't think it went too far, so no idea how far his roots would take to get to Ireland.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      July 6, 2015 at 8:12 pm

      Most of the immigrants came during the potato famine in the late 1850's. That's where I can trace my ancestors to.

      Reply
  36. Karen Mortensen says

    July 6, 2015 at 3:56 pm

    Glad you are having a great time. Sorry but I am not Irish. I have never been to Ireland but would like to go.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      July 6, 2015 at 5:30 pm

      We can make you an honorary Irish woman if you'd like. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  37. Angela Brown says

    July 6, 2015 at 2:03 pm

    Seems if one isn't from Ireland or has roots in Ireland, there's talk of the luck 'o the Irish ๐Ÿ™‚

    I'm glad you're enjoying your trip. I look forward to what you share about your tour of the castle.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      July 6, 2015 at 2:53 pm

      We are a lucky lot. Either that or we drink enough Guinness and think we're lucky.

      Reply
  38. Bish Denham says

    July 6, 2015 at 2:03 pm

    I don't think there's any Irish in me… Scottish, English, French… I'd still love to go to Ireland, though and visit the haunted castle. That would be way cool.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      July 6, 2015 at 2:57 pm

      The Scots came through Ireland a few times along with the Vikings who came through every country. We're all related in some way. Visit. You'll love it.

      Reply
  39. Sarah Foster says

    July 6, 2015 at 1:49 pm

    I think I'm part Irish (long story–my family can't make up their minds on this apparently). My fiance definitely is.
    Hope your trip was fantastic!

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      July 6, 2015 at 2:50 pm

      Well, if you are–may guess is yes–you're among a great group of people.

      Reply
  40. Madeline Mora-Summonte says

    July 6, 2015 at 1:33 pm

    I'm part Irish waaaaaay back on my mother's side. Looking forward to hearing more about the castle. (I loved JH's A-Z posts!)

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      July 6, 2015 at 2:48 pm

      It was quite a great way to spend a few hours.

      Reply
  41. Jemi Fraser says

    July 6, 2015 at 1:33 pm

    My roots are close by – Scottish all the way back ๐Ÿ™‚
    I'd love to head back over to the British Isles – so much to see and love!

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      July 6, 2015 at 2:44 pm

      The Scots are very different than the Irish from my experience, but still interesting and the countryside can't be beat for beauty.

      Reply
  42. Southpaw HR Sinclair says

    July 6, 2015 at 1:32 pm

    oooo, spooky castle.
    No Irish for me — that I know of *wink wink*

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      July 6, 2015 at 2:43 pm

      DNA!

      Reply
  43. Stephen Tremp says

    July 6, 2015 at 11:54 am

    I'm not Irish but I do like haunted castles. I'd spend the night in on in a heart beat.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      July 6, 2015 at 2:43 pm

      Take your long jons, then. The unrestored ones are not noted for warmth and comfort. I'm not sure about those that have been done over.

      Reply
  44. Alex J. Cavanaugh says

    July 6, 2015 at 11:49 am

    That's cool you got to visit the castle! I remember JH's post about it.
    I think my roots go back to Scotland but not sure.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      July 6, 2015 at 2:38 pm

      Hey maybe we're cousins. Everyone I met last week was.

      Reply

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