An exile in Canada

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I recently came upon this memoir of an Irish exile from Moortown, Tyrone settled in Canada. It is of special interest to me as the author may be of my extended family – my own grandfather came down the Newry Canal a century ago from Moortown. It was thirty years later that the family concerned left Ireland for Canada. I am confident that his writing will strike a chord with our many reluctant exiles in North America and perhaps Australia too.

 If not I shall desist after this entry: if so, you can have much more!

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Bill Hanna’s life

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In father’s absence at first – for six months or so – we stayed at Grandfather Bicker’s in Poyntzpass. Then my two sisters were fostered to two married aunts. 

I was taken in by Granny Hanna who had already reared nine sons. She was more comfortable with boys. This was to my advantage as she was a lovely person and respected by all. Her life had been hard, helping grandfather to run the farm as well as rearing so many sons. It was a sad day for me when grandmother died when I was fourteen. 

Read moreBill Hanna’s life