Category: Letters

From: Ann Sweeney 7th May 2003
Hi Everyone,

Hope you are all well and happy, apologies for only emailing you all now after 3 weeks in New Zealand but its just been all go, travelling from place to place and taking part in so many activities! I’ve been so tired – so thats my excuse up front!!!,

Well, I have to say, New Zealand is so like Ireland, the scenery is absolutely beautiful throughout the North and South Islands, the mountains and the lakes and waterfalls are all stunning. We started off in Auckland in the North Island where we hired a car and drove further up North to the Bay of Islands. We were very good to ourselves as we booked into a hotel for the night – really nice, overlooking the bays, really nice!

The following day, we went to a place called Rotorua. This place absolutely stank of sulphur – exactly like rotten eggs which I couldn’t get used to!!! Here we watched the local people (maoris) perform a little maori concert, really enjoyed it, especially when they did the hacka!!! From here we went to Taupo. This is the main place where you go to do your skydive and needless to say I couldn’t wait to do it!! It was touch and go because of the rain and cloud cover but the weather picked up, thankfully. The skydive was brilliant and I wasn’t one bit nervous. That is, until I was sitting at the edge of the plane. For a second you think – ‘oh my god, what am I doing?’ but you are pushed out of the plane straight away. Your heart skips a beat, but then the worst is over. The view you have over Lake Taupo is amazing and its so worth it all, its a must to do!!,

From here we went to Tuarangi, where we did, (wait for it!) the Tuarangi Crossing! A 16k hike over an active volcano! What I mean by active is you can still see the hot steam coming from the ground and it was still so hot to touch it was amazing. We walked for 7 hours, so we were pretty stiff the following day!!!

From here we went to Wellington. I really liked it here. It’s a great place for going out!!, From Wellington we took a 3 hour ferry over to the South Island. We then went to Nelson where we did a 4 hour walk through Abel Tasman National Park, again very scenic!!!

From here we went to Greymouth where we decided to go horse riding through the bush and rivers. It was great fun, especially when your horse doesn’t like to be at the back of the group, sticks up his head and goes onto auto pilot to get to the front!!

From here we went to Franz Joseph, really enjoyed it here. This is where you can climb the glacier or you could get a helicopter up to the top. Never having been in a helicopter I decided to do it!! It was brillant, got the best views, the glacier was lovely, but very hard to climb in places!!

From here we went to Makararora, a really small place all of 83 people, here we jet boated down the river going fairly fast and doing some 360 degrees turns great fun!!!

From here we arrive in Queenstown. I think my favourite place of all. The scenery was by far the best, beautiful lakes, snow capped mountains, beautiful trees. I would have loved to have gone skiing but they don’t have snow until June. Queenstown was freezing cold and it actually snowed over the mountains while we there, making it even prettier!! We did a full day trip to Milford Sound, a cruise around a glacier, very scenic,

From Queenstown to my very last stop, Churstchurch. It’s a very nice place – especially Cathedral Square. Here I’m just relaxing. At this stage you feel like you’ve done enough. There is just so much to do and see in New Zealand. Now I think I need a holiday in Fiji!!, so tomorrow I fly out of New Zealand to Fiji for 6 days. I’m looking forward to it. Then it’s on to San Fran for 6 days. I can’t believe its so near the end of my travels. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it all.

So now I must go and pack my bag for tomorrow. I’m wrecked and I’m up at 6am to catch my flight.

Well guys, I hope all is well and I shall be seeing you all real soon!!,

all the best,

Ann

From: Suzanne Kelly 1st May 2003 (suzyq4@bigpond.com)

Hello,

I have just finished reading all the information on your site.

My Great Grandparents were James Sheerin and Martha Lendrum they were born about 1832-1835 . James was a schoolteacher and farmer on Innisbiggle, so far I have not been able to find where he was born but he married Martha around 1849 no marriage date has been found they had nine children;
Alexander , James, Mary ann, Andrew, Maggie , Kate , William Lily and George. Four of these children emigrated to Australia.

Marthas family had been on Achill since the 1700’s .
Marthas parents were with the Achill mission and also ran the printing shop for the Achill Herald at Dugort and a flax mill on Innisbiggle. There were records of seven Lendrum families on Achill and Lendrums are mentioned in Griffiths as leasing land from the Achill mission .

One of James and Marthas sons may have drowned in 1869 a William.

James died 1905 buried Dugort

Martha died 1917 buried Dugort no marker has been found for their graves

Have you come across any of these names in your research, I would be very interested.

Thank You

Suzanne Kelly

Australia

 

From: John Carrington 29th April 2003 (john.carrington@actrix.co.nz)

Hi

My name is John Carrington. My Wife’s name is Mary nee Campbell.

We have stayed in Achill three times over the last few years. Mary’s cousins are the Pattens and the Devers from Belfarsad.

Sadly Mary’s dad Pat Campbell passed away last month. Thank you for all the cards and letters.

We both miss the George and the Compass, especially Pat Ó,Malley’s songs and tales.

If Ann Sweeney or anyone else wants to stay a few days in Wellington New Zealand, Drop us a line.

 

From: Ann Sweeney 16th April 2003
Hi All,

Hope you are all well and happy! Well, I just want to send my final last greetings from Syndey, Australia. Can’t believe I’m leaving here, the time has gone by so fast its unbelievable!! I’ve had the best time here in Sydney. I played my last game of rugby on Saturday, nearly got a try – it was so close but got tackled just by the line but my mate got it so that was alright! We got beaten in the end but never mind!

My old man Harry took me out last week for a lovely meal in this posh restaurant. It was so funny, you should have seen us waited on hand and foot (the way it should be right?) and then Harry brought me up the Sydney Sky tower. Amazing views of Sydney – sure I was spoilt! Today was my last day working for him. I’m going to really miss going for our daily swim in the pool and the spa!! Sure it was great!!

On Sunday I played my last gaelic match. I’m going to really miss all the Clan Na Gael girls! We meet down to our local (for those of you who don’t know it) the Cock and Bull The girls wrote a poem about me it was so funny! and we all sang the green and red of Mayo it was so nice, great nite was had by all!!,

So, my bags are packed and I’m ready to go!! New Zealand here I come! Can’t wait to do my skydive, should be amazing. I’ve got to go as we’re having our farewell dinner in the house and meeting the girls for a few farewell drinks, get the tissues out!!!

take care,

all the best,

Ann

From: Ann Sweeney 14th December 2002
Hi All,

Hope you are all keeping well!!,

Well, what a mad 2 weeks we’ve had. I’m in Alice Springs in the Northern Territory at the moment. Perth was brillant we got to meet and know so many people. The first day we arrived in Perth was roasting we weren’t used to it with our Melbourne weather. We went to see the Perth Mint and how gold is heated down into gold bars, very interesting! The following day we went horse-riding, we had such a laugh my horse was a bit like me, doesn’t like to be controlled!!, He took off in a trot and of course your’e meant to be holding onto the saddle but being so excited my arms ended up around the horses neck and my right foot up in the arm!!, everyone was in the stitches laughing!!, the 3rd trot I was expert at horse-riding ready for show jumping next!!.

We went to check out the famous Irish bar here called the Bog, a great nite was had by all, we never left the dance floor.

The following day we took a ferry to Rottnest Island, we hired out bikes and cycled around the Island, there were some fantastic beaches there, white sand, blue and green waters beautiful scenery, we stayed the nite. We had our own BBQ and camped out . We had great fun.

On the Monday we booked a tour (Easyriders ) to bring us down South of Perth, we had an absolutely great time. We met so many people mostly Irish and Scottish girls. We saw lots of cute little towns along the coast and stopped to sample a few wineries along the way. The wines over here are lovely!!! To top off the evening we had a little champagne as we watched the sun go down, heaven!!! We stopped in a place called Denmark to do some canoeing it was really nice, we managed to see the Solar eclipse here it was amazing, we could see it so clearly.

By Friday we had made it down to a place called Albany to try our luck at surfing. It was the best craic ever, we looked the part anyway!! All I managed was to get to my knees, I tell ya its not easy!!!. I will definitely do it again!! Our instructor was great craic he couldn’t stop laughing at us. Well at least we were some entertainment for somebody. The harder I tried to get on the board the worse I was getting!!!!

We flew back to Melbourne and while on our flight they had a prize for someone who could either sing, or tell a joke so after persuading Helena we went up and sang “Leaving on a jet plane” – Well low and behold, we won the prize which was a nites accomodation in the Darling Harbour in Sydney, so that was a nice surpise so thats where we’ll be over a nite at xmas, its meant to be lovely with a great view of Sydny Opera House, happy days!!!

Came back to Melbourne on Sunday nite and went to work for 3 days. Wednesday, we took an 8 hour bus journey to Adelaide, we took the famous Ghan train to Alice Springs which was 20 hours, so here we are ready to do this big climb of Ayers Rock. Its absolutely roasting here at the moment so tomorrow we’re going on a 3 day tour to see Ayers Rock both at Sunset and sunrise. So looking forward to that. We’re leaving here on Tuesday for that famous 20 hour train journey and then on the bus back to Melbourne so its all go here at the moment . So, thats enough from me your’e probably all tired of reading at this stage!!!

All the best from very hot Alice Springs,

Ann
XX

From: Ann Sweeney 25th November 2002
Hi All,

Hope all is well, gees I can’t believe its another week again. Time is going by so fast – I wish I could put a stop watch on it!! Had a great time last weekend, 14 of us went out for dinner, we had a great nite and the following day we spent with our adopted Aussie Family drinking some cold beer in their local pub, we finished off the evening listening to Christy Moore, it was grand!! we had as they say over here an awsome day!!

Work is going is great, finally got to meet this millonaire Yank with all the dollars called Steve!!, I got the shock of my life, he’s sooo not what I imagined!!, he’s so casually dressed, old jeans, t-shirt, abit overweight!!, so down to earth, money has not gone to his head, its nice finally to put a face behind the man but no I won’t be trying to charm him!!,

Really looking forward to seeing Perth, we fly next Tuesday at 6am in the morning for 10 days, I’ve got a contact already, one of the guys in the office has a cousin who lives there so I shall be ringing him, my long lost friend!!, so the next time you hear from me I shall be reporting back from Perth so stay close to your computers for some breaking news around the 8th of December, your not allowed to even go shopping on that day!!!

Friday nite I’m going to check out this niteclub that I work for called Zos, they put me on the guest list (VIP treatment only me!!) ya got to have some perks with the job!!, apparently theres only 2 niteclubs in Oz with special dance speakers and this niteclub is one of them so I must “check it out”!!, and don’t worry girls I’ll carry out the sound investigation for ye!!

Saturday we’re going to Phillip Island, its about 2hrs away from Melbourne, we’re going to see some penguins and all that touristy stuff, its meant to be really nice, and Sunday morning we’re all going canoeing in Albert lake, for all you grand prix fans (motor racing!!) this is the lake you will see in the centre of the race track, its really pretty so you can imagine me out rowing on it!!!

Anyway guys thats my plans for the weekend, I’m sure yours are just as good, take care and hurray I’m off to Perth. Sorry!!! I’m just so excited!!!

all the best
Ann from down unda!!

From: Ann Sweeney 12th November 2002
Hi Everyone,

Hope you are all well. Sorry I haven’t emailed in a while but I’ve been very busy what with work and going out. Life is tough over here!!! Well my temporary job is going great, the people I’m working with are lovely. The guy who actually owns the Company is filthy rich – he only ownes a niteclub, his own plane, has his own indoor pool and a few companies in Melbourne but I know he’s not happy, he can’t be!!!

Well, on Tuesday we went to the famous Melbourne Cup that everyone talks about. Imagine a Country that takes a bank holiday for a 3 minute horserace? It’s great, its no wonder we’re here!!! We had the best day and craic!! We all wore our County jerseys. There were 2 from Kerry, 2 from Mayo, 1 Donegal and 1 from Galway and a poor unfortunate dub!! We never got so much attention in all our lives!! We must have met every Irish person at the Melboure Cup. It started off on the tram getting to the races, it was so funny!! We could have worn $2,000 suits but no one would have noticed us!!, The very first race, my horse came in 1st. I nearly lost my life! I won $66 and on the main race my horse came in but the odds weren’t the best god bless him so I won $40 not bad for a total beginner!! We took some great pictures of us all with sailors, cops people dressed as Vikings, you name it they were there!!! Of course we had to sample the champagne to celebrate our win!! I would highly recommend this day to anyone – brillant!!,

It’s all go here at the moment, we’re all going away this weekend to the Great Ocean Road about 2 hours from Melbourne, staying in holiday house which 2 girls from Melbourne parents own. I tell ya we have it sorted so looking forward to that!!

The weather is beautiful here at the moment. Today its 31. It was so hot inside. Hopefully our Summer is here at last!!,

Well, I have to go now and pack for the weekend, god its tough!!!,

take care everyone

Ann

From: Ann Sweeney 21st October 2002
Hi Everyone, Greetings from Melbourne!

Hope you’re all well and happy.
Wasn’t that terrible about the Bali bombing? Just to think we were there in that bar 2 months ago and in the Irish bar Paddies across the road.  Well, 2 friends of ours are so lucky they are still alive. They were the 2 girls we met in Vietnam, both from Melbourne. They were actually in Kuta and planning to go to that nite club on Saturday nite but Lou’s ankle was hurting her or they would have been there. They came home to Melbourne yesterday so we’re meeting them at the weekend, they’re very lucky girls!!

On Sunday we hired out 2 cars. I hadn’t driven in 6 months and driving an automatic was pretty different. God, you’d get so lazy driving them!! We decided to get out of the city for the day, we had a great time. We went the Dandenong Mountains, wow, the view was lovely! The city looked tiny from miles away. From there, we went to Healesville Sanctuary and finally got to see some Kangeroos, Koalas and flying fox!!! The foxes were scary looking, hanging upside down. They stared you out of it just like bats!!! From there we drove to Williamstown, very much like St Kilda, the main interest was to cross over a massive bridge called the West Gate Bridge. Seeing it every day at the Rialto buildings I was dying to cross over it. On the way back it was dark and the city looked amazing at nite from the bridge!! It really was a great day, 6 Irish (of course we’d have the larger gang!!!, 1 English and 1 Scottish girl on the road great fun!!,

Still working away but we moved office, really missing the Rialto and view but this place is actually nice as well!!, the offices are way bigger. This job we’re working on has a deadline of Friday week, so we’re all working both Saturday and Sunday over the weekend.

The weather today is beautiful, its 29 degrees and would you believe I’m wearig a pair of shorts for the first time in Melbourne so lets hope it keeps up!!!

Well I hope ye all have a great weekend!!, its nearly there for ye all, hang in there!!

well that’s all for the news for now

take care
Ann