An Irish Heritage Story
Shamrock
In My Veins
by Angela Townsend
Breathing life into the back stories of Irish immigrant family ancestors – survivors of the Great Famine – and retracing their footsteps back to Ireland to reclaim their compelling stories
Join me
on my
captivating
journey
Angela’s book is for those interested in personal Irish Ancestry, Genealogy and History – an invitation to celebrate your Irish roots, reclaim your own family story and create a legacy for generations to come.
Available on Amazon Worldwide
✠ A Memoir of an Irish immigrant family’s Journey
✠ Genealogy Life stories shaped by the Irish Great Famine
✠ An Ancestors Footsteps Journey back to Ireland
✠ Finding their places of Origin & Giving thanks in their churches
✠ Discovering a long Irish Heritage.
✠ Exploring Identity through Irish family legends
✠ Emotional Poems inspired by Irish History
✠ Philosophical Life Reflections
✠ Honouring Ancestors Challenges, Courage and Resilience
✠ Celebrating existence and Irish Heritage
In the year 1850, my Irish Ancestors began a daunting migration from County Mayo in the West of Ireland. They walked one hundred and fifty miles, with their six children, to Dublin to cross the Irish Sea by packet boat, to Liverpool England to board a transatlantic ship to New York.
Their plans and their dreams were thwarted by a new pre sailing medical inspection rule, and they were grounded in England. And that is why I am not an Irish American citizen today.
My non-fiction Irish Ancestor Family History book, ‘Shamrock in my Veins’, is being launched on Amazon Worldwide, and is a unique combination of Irish family stories, Immigrant Sagas from the Great Famine time; Memoir; Characters from Irish History; Irish Legend; Biography; Famine reports; Genealogy; Philosophy; and Irish History, supported by many images.
It is written in storytelling style reminiscent of oral tradition, tracing my ancestor’s lives, and sharing the story of my personal Ancestors Footsteps Journey to Ireland, to connect with my heritage and bring my grandmother’s family stories to life.
We are today joined together by our immigrant stories, the Great Famine, the Irish Diaspora, our English language and our Irish origins. My sincere wish is that my book will be enjoyed by many descendants of Irish immigrant Ancestors who are still celebrating their Irish Heritage.
Shamrock In My Veins
My Irish ancestors left their cherished land,
A century before my life began,
Granny was born on English soil,
Yet Irish blood ran fierce and loyal.
Her grandmothers’ tales—a sacred lore—
Shared with me when I was small,
Lit fires I’d never known before,
And stirred a passion to be recalled.
Her great uncle, Archbishop, rebel soul,
Twice-dyed Irish, fierce and whole,
First bishop to be taught in Ireland,
Since Henry VIIIs destructive hand.
He preached in English, as required by law,
Echoed in Irish for flock to know more,
“When a country loses its language,” he cried,
“It loses its soul”—his voice defied.
With Daniel O’Connell, side by side,
He fought for freedom, faith, and pride,
Catholic Emancipation was his vow—
‘The Lion of the West’, he is known as now.
His father, Padraig Mór, a noted man,
Flax grower, linen trader, local tavern,
On Windy Gap in County Mayo’s light,
He cheered the 1798 Independence fight.
To Mayo women he gave spinning wheels,
Cotton spun by fireside was the deal,
Released from servitude and need,
To earn with dignity, no need to plead.
He rests now in a tomb so grand,
In ancient abbey on Loch Conn’s strand,
His story etched by loving hand,
Carved in Irish, proud and planned.
Ancestors Footsteps to Ireland, heart in tow,
With Granny’s stories in winds that blow.
I brought them all alive once more,
For kin to cherish, love, explore.
Time is fleeting, but I now share—
This truthful tale, beyond compare,
A blanket woven from threads of years,
Of rebels, priests, and Irish tears.
Irelands fight to hold its name—
Courage, resilience, unyielding blame,
To warm descendants yet unborn,
With tales of pride, of love, of scorn.
To read, remember, and celebrate—
Irish heritage, identity, family relate,
For in this book, our spirit gleams,
Alive in many Irish hearts and dreams.
A Collection of 75 Short Stories
Irish Ancestry and Famine Time Ireland
LEGENDS & STORYTELLING ✠ IDENTITY ✠ IRELAND’S BACKSTORY ✠ CATASTROPHIC TIMES ✠ SURVIVAL ENDEAVOURS ✠ THE IRISH DIASPORA ✠ FAREWELL IRELAND ✠ GRANNY’S BACKSTORY ✠ MY ANCESTORS FOOTSTEPS JOURNEY ✠ INDEPENDENCE FOR IRELAND ✠ CELEBRATING IRISH HERITAGE ✠ SERENDIPITY
My book is a tribute to courageous ancestors who endured the Great Hunger in Ireland and left the land they loved in sorrow.
They became the roots of my family tree in a new country, where their strengths, sufferings, resilience and pride ensured a life for me.
Their histories and their footsteps vanished from Erin’s soil but their spirit lives forever in mine.
If you enjoy reading my book I would really appreciate you leaving a 30 second review on Amazon.
Shamrock In My Veins
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