A view from atop Blarney Castle
The Irish blood flows through my veins though I’ve never visited the actual villages or hometowns of my ancestors. I traveled to Southern Ireland about ten years ago, but at the time, I hadn’t started my genealogy research. As such, I didn’t know that my Deenys originated from the Donegal/Derry counties of Northern Ireland. That just gives me one more reason to return to the stunning Isle and walk the paths that my great-great grandparents did.
Though there were Deenys (and Deeneys) aplenty in Philadelphia and Boston during the time of my great-grandparents immigration, I have yet to find a direct link to the ones who were here before my relatives arrived. Many of us remained in England and Ireland and some Deenys made Iowa their home. *Sidenote: I haven’t connected the Philly area Deenys to the Iowa Deenys as of yet.*
I love the language, land, and mystic history of the Celtic people though I must admit that my taste buds were the last to adjust during my trip. I grew up with a solid pride for my Irish heritage even though I knew quite little of the country my ancestors once called home.
As Americans celebrate “St. Patrick’s Day” I join in by wearing green, listening to my favorite Celtic music, and adorning myself with a flashy shamrock necklace. The celebration doesn’t end there, because my journey to find my Irish roots continues. I’ve lived over thirty years as a proud descendant of Irish immigrants and know that my pride will only grow the moment I understand the ones who came before.
Branches and Leaves 