Today, we went back to where it all began for me: Dún Laoghaire and St Michael’s Hospital, the place where I was born.
From there, we drove to Sorrento Road in Dalkey (Deilginis), the site of the family home at the time I was born; and therefore the first house I ever lived in.
This is the very house that my father, Tony, came back to 41 years ago, expecting to find my mother and me still living there, as we had been doing. Only, the family had recently left the house without trace and it would be another 41 years before Tony finally managed to track me down again. Bizarre.
Tony was with us and it was quite an emotional moment for him to stand side by side with me outside that house.
Tony directed us around an area known locally as Paddywood, a play on Hollywood and the home of Ireland’s rich and famous, including Bono, The Edge, Enya and Van Morrison.
The sun shone pretty much all day, which was perfect for enjoying the views across the sea from Dalkey.
Later in the day, we visited the Church of the Assumption, which is the church where I was christened.
We’re heading off for two days in Dublin next, after a fantastic stay with the new family here. We probably won’t have any access to e-mail whilst in Dublin.