the return to ireland

The Journey to Ireland

In 1882, Thomas boarded the White Star ship 'Celtic' from New York. After a nine-day journey, the ship arrived in Cork on the 21st August 1882.

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Whilst in a hotel in Cork, Thomas ordered potatoes boiled with their skins on, mutton shops and coffee. He noted that Irish potatoes and American potatoes are very different. The Irish potato has a flavour and richness that cannot be found in the best American potatoes.

On the 24th August, Thomas journeyed northward by train towards his childhood home in Omagh, County Tyrone. 

Arriving late at night, he stayed in a hotel, awakening on the 25th August to a fine day, the day he returned to his home.

Memories of a Past Life

Thomas' directions to his driver were to drive through the forest of Lord Mountjoy's domain, by Cappagh Church, through Upper Castletown, down by the Cross Roads Meeting House and over Cappagh Bridge on the Strule into Lower Castletown.

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Thomas decided to secure a horse for the remaining part of his journey. After crossing Cappagh Bridge, where the river Strule opened up, Thomas dismounted his horse to "do homage to both bridge and river". 

He spent some time reflecting here, and could not leave until he took a walk along the grassy banks, and drank some water from the river.

The Homestead

After remounting his horse, Thomas travelled towards his old homestead, looking out for the river on one side and heathery turf bog on the other. When he entered the yard, he found that the house and its surroundings were exactly as he had left them. 

Thomas met the current owners of the house, and asked if he could look around. He was asked if he would like a guide, but he preferred to be alone with his thoughts.

Thomas spent some time exploring the surroundings, stable and small orchard. In the house, Thomas found his childhood bedroom and saw that it still contained a child's bed.  

His childhood home, and the landscape that surrounded it, were exactly as he had left them. 

When he sat down to a meal prepared by the current owners, he sat in the same spot where he would have eaten meals as a five-year-old. He saw the same door, the same window, and the same great fireplace with the hearth where he used to stir the fire to give his father more light to read the American Gazetteer.