Business 015

Hello Aine I have been researching a branch of the Grace family from Dublin/Celbridge and was interested in your reply to seeing the card. I don't know if my branch were related to yours: if so they were probably younger sons of younger sons as they were quite poor whilst living in celbridge. However, we do have a Philip in one branch. Do get in touch if interested in exchanging family info. You never know what might turn up. Regards Anji

Hi Philip, My sincere apologies, I never followed up after my initial comment, and it so great to hear from you. Of course I remember you, and your Mam and Dad - great fun, both of them, is how I remember them. I have seen your John down the years when he was the postman for the previous location of my work, but we've moved a few years now so I don't see him any more. Yes you were definitely named after my Dad, and I remember how pleased my Mum was at the time. After I discovered that business card online, I contacted the "Corpo" and I got loads of help from a lady, Dr. Kennedy in the city library in Pearse street where they have the Dublin archives. Grace and I went into see the stuff one day last year, and spent a fabulous full day going through boxes and boxes of books, diaries, letters, notes, designs going back to our great grand aunts and very far back in the business. They got them out specially when they knew we were going in and were very helpfull. It's amazing how things happen in life. I had not seen Grace O'Reilly for about 40 years when I got a phone call from her one Friday night. She had heard my name being mentioned on the Mooney programme, I think, and it just said "Aine Grace Celbridge". She looked up the phone book and I'm there as A. She just rang by chance, and it was absolutely wonderful to hear from her. Because my Dad died when I was just 7, and my Mum was so busy trying to keep it going, we didn't have as much contact with the Grace side as we would have liked. Just the odd funeral. So I was thrilled to hear from Grace. There is definitely as hole in my life because of not having a Dad, and only in my more mature years did I realise how much I missed having an extended family on that side. My Mum , Nora, died in 1991 and unfortunately my brother Kenneth died 4 years ago quite suddenly, so I don't have any immediate famly now, apart of course from my children, and grandchildren. As I am separated, I reverted to my single name and have been very happy to be a Grace again. In fact, I went to Maynooth castle for the tour on Saturday last, as it was heritage week, and they mentioned Raymond Le Gros, who was Strongbow's right hand man (even married Strongbow's sister) and were with the Normans coming in. It seems that Raymond Le Gros (Raymond The Fat) became Raymond le Gras which eventually became Grace.... very interesting stuff to google. I don't have any family tree, but Grace knows a lot about it and even has a huge amount of it still in her head. I love when we get together occasionally and it's like looking back at my childhood. I'd love to know how you are doing and where you are nowadays. thanks again for contacting me, best regards Aine