The restoration of Lock 44 Keeper's House on the Royal Canal was my mother Frances Kelly's passion, being present for the reopening of the canal her dream. Family and friends wondered why she purchased what had become an animal shed. She had little as a child, led a frugal life and yet she gladly put every penny into its repair. But in the end no one questioned what was thought of as a fruitless effort: she was in the middle of treatment for cancer. Frances knew she wanted to bring an abandoned house back to life. As her health deteriorated she must have felt it therapeutic to watch a derelict structure transform back into a home. It was by chance, while walking the towpath, that my … [Read more...] about Irish Cottage
Irish Cottage
Irish Cottage Project
My mother, Frances Kelly, purchased a derelict lock keepers cottage in Ireland. She made trips to the cottage (with my father) in between cancer treatments and during her time of remission. It was her dream to see the Royal Canal restoration project completed and to see the boats pass by her home. She did not live long enough to see its completion. On one of the last days of my mother’s life she asked me to continue to take care of her Irish cottage that she loved so very much. I said I would. Some time thereafter I was no longer married and finances were extremely tight. I often thought about the promise made and my inability to follow through. Over a decade went by. Finally in … [Read more...] about Irish Cottage Project