Up, Up and Away!

Today 100 years ago, marked the day my maternal grandmother Kathleen Eugenie arrived into the world!

She was born in Johannesburg, South Africa to Irish parents; May and Eugene McInerney. A few years later younger siblings Richard in 1925 and little sister May in 1926 soon followed her arrival.

Kathleen on her father Eugene’s motorcycle circa. 1922!

Kathleen on her father Eugene’s motorcycle circa. 1922!

My mother often tells us of the pride and deep love her mother Kathleen felt for South Africa. That fondness and sense of home in “Jo-burg” is something that stayed with her all of her life. She often spoke of the local culture and people there, her many wildlife encounters, renditions of South African songs and speaking in Afrikaans at the eager request of her children! It was apparent the vibrancy of South Africa stayed with her in her aesthetics of fashion, art and interiors too!

A young Kathleen, 1931.

A young Kathleen, 1931.

After the death of her father in 1931, the family returned to Ireland where she would later meet the love of her life, my grandfather Dan Ryan. She studied medicine in University College Cork and went on to work as a doctor in Derby (UK) during World War II. Her childhood and formative medical years would instill a courage and a gentle practicality in her that she would carry forever.

From a lot of the stories and photographs that have been passed down about my late grandmother, its apparent to me she was strong and brave, noble and kind, inspiring and goodness she really was a beauty!

Mr Dan and Dr. Kathleen Ryan on their wedding day in 1945.

Mr Dan and Dr. Kathleen Ryan on their wedding day in 1945.

My own name Kerry Eugenie was chosen in honour of her. ‘K’ to follow the pattern of my maternal lineage. As I grew, I learned about how much my granny loved her middle name being Eugenie due to it echoing her late father’s name Eugene. She loved it so much she remarked she had wished it had been her first name and often used her name in full to “wear it”! I carry the name Kerry Eugenie with deep pride and a sense of uniqueness and connection to that remarkable woman.

Although I was a child when she passed away, my early years and memories so often included her. The warmth and joy that she would show me in those early years still gives me nostalgic warm & fuzzies! She would always exclaim, “My little peach blossom!” whilst bringing me onto her lap for hugs and kisses.

Kathleen and her brother Richard.

Kathleen and her brother Richard.

Kathleen only really took up pencil and paintbrush in her later years but she really showed an affinity for it - I recall the magic arriving into the house and being wide-eyed at her table-top full of art supplies. Even then, it sparked something in me, the yearning that I wanted to create and be imaginative, not only as a child but as a grown-up too!

Music is a massive part of our family to this day, it’s rare that there isn’t some sort of music on in the house. Granny Kathleen was even a National Song Contest finalist in 1967, with her song ‘Haven’t You’. Today we had all of her favourite songs on and we celebrated her in style at home in Cappa, Co. Clare!

Happy heavenly birthday to you Granny! x x