McKenna, Cook and O’Neil

When Karin and I were able to get around, whether in Europe, England, Ireland or the United States, we found people and places that widened our understanding of the world in which we live.  Being old farts and short of the brass needed to see these places now does not take away from the experience we had when Karin could actually climb onto the parapet of some English castle and look out at the scenery beyond.  Today, because of her post-polio she has trouble climbing the steps outside our apartment, but then they have taken a beating from the winter’s ice and snow – not to mention the Mick with his snow shovel.

England has an abundance of castles – and here’s a surprise for part of my family, so did the McKenna’s.  McKenna Castle (yep a real McCoy castle once owned by the family) can be found in Ardmore, Co. Waterford, Ireland.  Locals say that the McKenna’s were known for their wild parties and whatnot (no change there then).  It was the first property of that type to have electric lights which were displayed around the castle and people came from all over Europe to enjoy the parties there at the beginning of the twentieth century.

The McKenna side of the family (my mother’s side) are said to be Celtic Warriors, believed to be related to “The O’Neil” the High King of Ireland, (no not General Jack O’Neil of Stargate Command) but how true that is, I can’t say, but it is part of the family history and tradition.  The frequent battles that break out in the family seem to give testimony to this history, but let’s leave it there before we have another blood-bath!  The Cooks, as far as I’m aware, date back to when Adam was a lad and are very much English.  The name originates with the Old English coc which means “cook” (see coat of arms) and refers to someone who sold cooked meat or owned an eating house.  Once again, no surprise there.

Gallivanting around Ireland, Karin and I found landscapes that took the breath away, at one stage we came across gardens set to the side of the road, the sea beyond and mountains in the background.  Our visit to Rome and the churches and catacombs presented us with some idea of the very birth of Christianity, when Christian hid from their persecutors in tunnels dug out of the soft volcanic rock.  In Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina, we met people from all parts of the world.  People are people and despite the language difference and perhaps because of the nature of the place, we didn’t have much difficulty – if any, with communication.  Odd really.  When I had to deal with civil servants I sometimes had a lot of difficulty and they were supposed to speak the same language.  Well there you are; those are my reflections for today for what they’re worth. Oh yeah, please don't forget Karin's ebook Seven Doors of Time, after 31st July it goes up in price: Click Here