Dear Eileen and Patrick,

IAM so happy I have been afforded this opportunity to write to you. We have never met in person as you had both died before I was born, yet I have a wonderful vision of you both.

Your 10 children always spoke so highly of you as parents and at the same time with such great humour. The warmth and love that was in your farmhouse still radiates through all the stories that I heard about you while I was growing up, and stories still spoken today over 40 years after your passing.

But the real reason I want to write to you is to thank you for the most amazing gift — my dad. He was our hero. He lit up the room when he walked in with his twinkling blue eyes and infectious smile — your smile, Eileen. He loved our mum and us kids so much, and encouraged us all the way, like you did, Patrick.

He had a great moral compass, believed in doing the right thing and always being there to help others. What a wonderful dad... we were truly blessed.

It was with a very broken heart that we had to say goodbye and see him return to you both. We know you minded him from afar when he became ill. I miss him so much but I know he is with you both and his brother. It is your time to be together once again.

So I end this letter by saying thank you once again for your wonderful gift. Please mind my dad. Tell him I love him so much. Your forever grateful granddaughter, Deirdre

Co Dublin