A nostalgic Christmas reunion for Mayo family after 67 years
A MAYO family is celebrating a nostalgic Christmas reunion.
And it's all because a statue of the blessed mother Mary, which held such great sentimental value, has returned to their home after 67 years.
The members of the Sweeney family, 12 McHale Road, Castlebar, had made plans, like many other families on the street, to emigrate to England in 1956 to join their father Joseph and older brother Jimmy, both of whom had left and set up home in Brixton, London, some years earlier.
As part of their preparations, their mother, Nora, had sold furniture and other household items to generous neighbours to help them pay for their trip to London and make a deposit on accommodation in the English capital city for the entire family.
But their plans were abandoned due to unexpected circumstances, leaving Nora, her mother Sabina Heavey, and children Patricia, Kathleen, Brendan, Martin, Edwina, Bernie and twins Eddie and Ernie to rebuild their lives in Castlebar with the support of their neighbours and friends.
Many of the neighbours who had purchased furniture from them generously returned it, including Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy and Bridie Foy, who lived close by in No. 113 McHale Road.
The story took another significant turn following the widely regretted death on October 23 last of Frank Foy, son of the late Jimmy and Bridie, who had resided in the family home.
A number of days after the funeral ceremonies, Frank's brother, Cyril, presented the Sweeney family with a statue of Our Lady, which had once adorned their home before being sold as part of a collection of china to help fund their emigration plans 67 years earlier.
Ernie Sweeney, who accepted it on behalf of his family, said he was both delighted and emotional when Cyril and Frank's sons, James and Harry, made the wonderful gesture.
"They became aware that I had an attachment to the statue because I remember it being in our home as an infant.
"The beautiful statue's return to my family after such a long time has brought many memories back to me from my childhood and I clearly remember the mixed feelings of our planned emigration and how it all fell apart. My mother was exceptional in the way she dealt with it all.
"I've had no regrets about that time because I have enjoyed a wonderful life in Castlebar and I will always regard McHale Road and its residents with great affection," he said.
Ernie, his brother Eddie and sister Bernie McDaniel gathered outside their former family home at McHale Road to celebrate their lovely Christmas moment, relay the story to their former neighbours and take photographs.
It was an occasion to remember deceased siblings Jimmy, Martin, Patricia, Kathleen and Brendan, as well as those still alive and well, Edwina and Norman.
They spoke with pride of their nephew, Martin, who had made headlines across the world when he established world records for his skateboarding skills.
"We are looking forward to a lovely Christmas," Eddie, Ernie and Bernie added.