Keenan family reunion brings hundreds to Rosemount
Memories of times past and future connections to come were the prevailing theme at the Keenan and extended family members reunion in Rosemount during the August bank holiday weekend.
The south Westmeath village, renowned for its community spirit, hosted 253 members from the clan for the three-day reunion, including 40 family members who flew in from the US for the occasion.
With the previous family reunion having taken place in Rosemount in 2007, Marie Burke (née Keenan) spoke of her pride at welcoming her immediate and extended family members to the community.
“My grandparents, Mary Boland and Patrick Keenan, had nine children, five of whom emigrated to the US while four remained in Rosemount, so that was the start of our family connection with America,” Marie said.
“We have always kept in contact with our US relations and that relationship continues to go from strength to strength.
“We had 40 family members travelling in from the US for the weekend's celebrations. They were flying in from Long Island, Connecticut and New York,” Marie said.
Marie paid tribute to the ‘next generation’ of the Keenan family tree who diligently prepared a packed schedule of events for the visitors to Rosemount.
During the course of the bank holiday weekend, the family reunion saw members of the Keenan clan enjoy a BBQ and traditional music session in Rosemount community centre.
Following Mass on the Sunday morning, the family reunion reconvened to the community centre for a fun and games day, after which the gathering retired to the Grand Hotel in Moate for a dinner dance to round off the weekend’s celebrations.