Readings from an emigrant’s diary at the Memory Museum

THE Store of Memories Museum in Inchigeela will be the venue for a moving and evocative event on Saturday, August 18 encapsulating the experiences of one local man during his travels to a new life ‘down under’.

Entitled ‘1913 Tales of Emigration Cork/Oz’, it will recall the very personal thoughts of Michael Timothy O’Sullivan as he emigrated to Australia.

During the epic six-week ocean voyage Michael kept an on-board diary which he posted back home to his parents shortly after his arrival in Melbourne in March 1913.

The precious diary has been handed down to his descendants in the parish, offering a fascinating insight into the experiences, facts and memories about a journey that so many Irish people made during the period.

Michael Timmy’s grand-nephew, Edmond, will read excerpts of the dairy by candlelight in the unique setting, which also happens to be a former shop run by the O’Sullivan family for more than nine decades before it closed in 2007.

The museum is now owned and run by Dorothy O’Tuama (nee O’Sullivan), Michael Timmy’s grand niece.

Admission to the reading, which is being hosted by the Lee Valley Taste Trail as part of Heritage Week 2018, will be €5.

Pre-booking, through Dorothy one 086 853 9744, is essential due to space limitations.