The McAteer Reunion was something I wanted to do for over ten years, but life had a way of preventing me from going to each one.
When Dave and I marched in the St. Patrick’s Parade in 2006, we talked about the next reunion and how I really wanted to go, but didn’t have anyone interested in going with me. When Dave said he would go with me, I happily looked forward to the next reunion. Just a few months later, Dave was gone.
The reunion was a distant thought until I started receiving information about the McAteer World Gathering to be held in Ballyholland, No. Ireland. I then sadly remembered Dave’s promise. I was truly uplifted when Rob, Bob and Jan agreed to go along with me. now
Dave would’ve loved this trip. We stayed in a little Irish cottage on the lush, green mountainside of the Mourne Mountains; mountains that were prone to daily rainbows; many double-decker beauties. The Sitka pine blanketed the mountainside with horses and sheep dotting the landscape. There were beautiful wildflowers everywhere. Despite the wind and cool temperatures, the tenacious Irish butterflies would sun themselves on our windowsill like little soldiers.
No matter where we went in the countryside, the view was amazing, but none more spectacular than our own McAteer ancestral home. The acres and acres of rolling farmland with cows, horses, and sheep were separated only by hedges. I sprinkled some of Dave’s ashes in the trees a few feet from the remains of the actual foundation of the McAteer ancestral home. This spot overlooks the enchanting view of the expansive McAteer countryside. (See picture above)
Dave met the fun-loving McAteers in New York, but he would’ve loved them even more on their own turf. The McAteers love to party and we all know how Dave loved to party, too! We had many laughs with our distant cousins, but knowing how easy-to-know Dave was, I just know he would’ve made friends for life.
When the reunion ended, we continued our travels and discovered more spectacular places for Dave. Stay tuned for more postings.
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