They went to visit friends on their first night in Dublin. Being special guests, they were ushered into the parlour. While they were chatting amiably, one of the boys, because of a combination of jet lag and the warmth and coziness of the room, soon fell asleep.

They always got a warm reception at the various inns and pubs at

which they stayed or ate. In every town or village they visited, there was invariably a Murphy’s Pub. The five strapping boys and the diminutive mother from Canada caused a bit of a sensation, which escalated when

it was learned that there were three other family members at home. They spent their days touring the south and west of Ireland. In the mornings, Shawn, D’Arcy, Kevin and Stephen went golfing while Kathleen and Michael explored historic sites and other points of interest. One evening at a local pub in Dingle, one of the boys got into a animated conversation with an elderly gentlemen who frequented the establishment. When they were back in the van, someone asked what the conversation was about.

“I have no idea,” was the reply. “I couldn’t understand a word of what

he said.”

Several years later, Kathleen had a chance to go back to Ireland, this time accompanied by Mary Jane, Michael and Paul Smith. They went to visit friends, the Brownes, in WeXford, where again they were welcomed as special guests. The evening started with cocktails. Kit Browne, the elderly lady of the house, had a fondness for gin and tonic. After Kit had a couple of drinks, they began walking to a local restaurant for dinner. The walk was uphill on a cobblestone road. Kathleen and Kit walked arm in arm, with Kathleen, who had very little to drink, supporting the slightly inebriated Kit, and Kit supporting Kathleen who was unused to walking on cobblestones. Mark Browne, Mary Jane, Michael and Paul followed behind, becoming increasingly hysterical at the sight of what looked like two old Irish women making their way home from the pub.

Kathleen has enjoyed a long, happy and productive life. She was married to her beloved Billy for almost 44 years. She raised a remarkable family of eight children. She welcomed the arrival of 28 grandchildren, and looks forward to her first great—grandchild. She has a wide circle of family and

192 KATHLEEN MURPHY, MAITRIARC