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The Rise of the Finucanes

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Two years ago I attended the first ever Finucane family reunion at the Hodson Bay hotel on the banks of Lough Ree in Athlone, Ireland, I composed a welcome poem for my cousin Senan Finucane to read out at that event.

It was a memorable occasion with singing, dancing, a slideshow and poetry.

Over seventy people attended travelling from all over Ireland and England.

This weekend the second one is being held at Stratford Upon Avon ( birthplace of Shakespeare )

A big welcome to you all who’ve travelled from afar By plane by boat and motor car For a reunion here in Hodson bay It will be I’m sure a memorable day. From across the sea some have come today These are your hometowns and I will say Tamworth, Evesham, Birmingham city Burnley and Colne a town so pretty. Cardiff and Sutton, London too All gathered here for this reunion do Closer to home Dublin Galway and Clare Roscommon and Meath great places I swear. Marriage brought other names into the clan Meaney ,Johnson, Gill, Cunningham and Mann Other names too and united we be All members of the Finucane family. Let’s go back to where it began Where are the roots of the Finucane clan ? It started with Edmund and Mary too Their children had children that’s me and you. In Effernan, County Clare the seed was sown Like a thriving bush we’ve grown and grown But where did they go to that I can tell Ireland England Australia as well. But wherever they went they kept in touch With Ireland their homeland that they loved so much The legacy they left us is like a gold mine We’re all descendents of the Finucane line. Edmund and Mary they’d be so proud Looking down on us here a large happy crowd Fide Et Fortitude is the motto on our crest That sums us all up because we are the best. We’ve sometimes met briefly to say goodbye To our loved ones we lost and to have a cry But today is different, there won’t be tears Just lots of laughter and maybe a few beers. To see you all here is a wonderful sight And we’ll do it again if the price is right Somewhere hot or even back here Or maybe Dromoland if it isn't too dear. I thank each and every one of you For making the journey to come to this do Sadly not everyone could be here today But they’re here in spirit I can honestly say. Written on 29th July 2017.

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Gershon Wolf

Date: 11/14/2019 10:08:00 PM

Wow, Tom! This must have been a spirited and special occasion, for sure!! Your wonderful poetic description transported me there for a few magic moments. THANKS! Best wishes, Gershon

Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/15/2019 2:19:00 AM

Thanks Gershon, it was a great occasion, the second one we've had now. Haven't been around much but hopefully I'm on the right side of dark. Hope you're well. Tom

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 11/8/2019 7:33:00 PM

what a wonderful thing, family ties!! You did the Finucanes proud!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/9/2019 3:35:00 PM

Thanks very much Andrea, had our second gathering last weekend already planning our third for two years time. Tom.

Eve Roper

Date: 11/7/2019 1:41:00 AM

Awe, a wonderful gathering in a beautiful place. Hugs

Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/7/2019 12:42:00 PM

Thanks Eve, it was a fantastic few days, already my cousin putting plans in place for the next one. Tom.

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 11/6/2019 1:57:00 PM

What a wonderful get together for a happily united extended family - It was for one and all it seems, a most memorable occasion. I love Shakespeare's Stratford Upon Avon and Anne Hathaway's cottage - spent three glorious days and nights there - unfortunately we did not know each other (through soup) 5 years ago. Blessings, Jennifer.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/7/2019 12:43:00 PM

Thank you Jennifer, had a fantastic few days in Stratford, great to meet up with my cousin's. Tom

John Gondolf

Date: 11/5/2019 7:38:00 AM

Enjoyed reading this piece about your family, Tom, sounds like a great clan. Cheers! John

Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/5/2019 3:20:00 PM

Thanks John, had an amazing weekend, had slideshow, singing, dancing and got called upon to recite some poems, I could sleep for a week lol. Hope you're well. Tom

Judy Ball

Date: 11/5/2019 2:41:00 AM

How wonderful to have such a large family all connected and loving each other. What a grand time that will be for all of you. I think it's great to be able to trace your roots back to the very beginning. I wish I could do that. Great stuff my friend. god Bless, JB

Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/5/2019 3:14:00 PM

Thank you very much Judy, we had our second gathering at the weekend, still catching up on lost sleep lol. Tom

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 11/3/2019 5:24:00 PM

How wonderful that so many members of your family were able to attend this event, Tom. It's very cool the way you are able to trace your family back to Edmund and Mary. (I have learn that my late husband, John, had a famous ancestor in 1215 - John of Devonshire.) I hope you share your wonderful, historical poem with all of your family members. They will treasure it! Love, Carolyn

Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/4/2019 12:38:00 PM

Thank you Carolyn, just back from the reunion, we had a slideshow, some poetry ( mine ) singing, dancing and catching up. An amazing few days, hopefully I'll catch up on soup tomorrow when I've had a good nights sleep. Tom

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 11/3/2019 7:29:00 AM

Touching, warm, humane and artistic writing dearest, Tom! Do you welcome ...foreigners? Hahaha! Much enjoyed!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/4/2019 12:32:00 PM

Thank you Demetrious, You would be made very welcome to our gathering. I would introduce you to Guinness or two Tom

Panagiota Romios

Date: 11/3/2019 1:46:00 AM

Masterpiece

Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/4/2019 12:30:00 PM

Thank you Panagiota, just had three days of partying, it was a great weekend. Tom

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 11/2/2019 4:23:00 PM

A great write Tom, hope you have a great weekend!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/4/2019 12:29:00 PM

Thanks Gordon, just back ,it was a great event ,singing, dancing ,slideshow and poetry. Three late nights, I could sleep for a week, wouldn't have it any other way. Tom

Silent One

Date: 11/2/2019 12:12:00 PM

Seems like you are happy to be part of the clan.. an enjoyable read..

Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/4/2019 12:27:00 PM

Thanks S.O., Just back after three days of partying, I could sleep for a week. Tom

Jan Allison

Date: 11/1/2019 2:11:00 PM

what a fabulous rhyme Tom, hope you have a wonderful time with the extended family I expect the Guinness will be flowing freely too lol:-) hugs Jan xx

Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/2/2019 6:49:00 AM

Thanks very much Jan, had the meet and greet last night, the big event is today, with a meal, dancing and a slideshow, got some poems ready in case I'm called upon. Have a great weekend. Tom.

Heidi Sands

Date: 11/1/2019 11:26:00 AM

This sounds very fun and was nice to read today. Enjoy! Thanks for sharing Tom :)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/1/2019 11:36:00 AM

Thank you Heidi, just getting ready to go to the second one. Have a great weekend. Tom

Vijay Pandit

Date: 11/1/2019 6:35:00 AM

Happy get together, Tom! Loved your story.. but more so the spirit behind the story. Hope someone reads aloud your poem of welcome at the gathering--they will love it. Much enjoyed.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/1/2019 10:32:00 AM

Thanks very much Vijay, happy you liked it. The second gathering is tonight and the big day tomorrow, I've done another PowerPoint slideshow for the occasion. Tom

Arturo Michael

Date: 11/1/2019 6:16:00 AM

YOU did this Superbly....a Master of ceremony...

Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/1/2019 6:34:00 AM

Thank you very much Arturo. Tom

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 11/1/2019 4:39:00 AM

Definitely a great family reunion poem. Loved it tremendously.. I'm part Irish too :) Love to you, Gina

Tom Cunningham
Date: 11/1/2019 4:57:00 AM

Thank you very much Regina, happy you liked it , where were your irish family from./ Tom.