Balbriggan Town Commissioners 1912
Today we bring you another newspaper cutting from the scrap book of Michael Heeney who was an architect in the town. Martin Hughes found it and dropped it into the office here. In today's cutting, they are discussing the spending of £155 for a "Gallery" and a toilet for the Town Hall. 16.02.09

http://www.balbriggan.net/scrapbook3.htm

The Michael Heeney mentioned is my Great Uncle, my Great Grandfather (Thomas Heeney's) brother.  I've been trying to learn about my ancestors for many years.  Mostly because my Grandfather came to the US with his brother as a child, after his mother passed away. 

My entire life I've wondered what that experience must have been like, leaving the only life you've ever know and all of your loved ones behind. It always hurt my heart that my grandfather missed his family so deeply.  I knew that he did because of the way that he would speak of his childhood, parents, sisters and brothers.  I know little of the reasons why he and his brother came to the US, but suppose that it was to make a better life for themselves. 

I can't express how much I appreciated seeing the actual artifacts presented on your site.  My deepest thanks to you and to Martin Huges.  I would also like to thank Sean Farrell and others who have shared photos of the past.  I have viewed the PowerPoint presentations of photos submitted by Mr. Farrell.  He has a wonderful memory and seems to have know Pat Heeney quite well.  It's funny, because I too knew Pat Heeeney when he was here in the US.  He was my father's cousin and came to visit us every so often.  I was just a child and didn't really get involved in adult conversations.  If I only had the opportunity now, I would have asked millions of questions. 

Here is where I have to ask for your assistance.  I would love to save copies of the information and photos of Heeney family members and related surnames.  Many of the pictures cannot be copied (such as those on PowerPoint).  I would love to have a copy of Michael Heeney's entire scrapebook as that really tells the story of the Heeney family back then.  I would also love the opportunity to email some of the people who knew members of the Heeney family.  I'd like to know of the life that they lived as they went through many difficult times and came out survivors. 

Here, in the US we are truly a melting pot.  We are melting into a society where many may loose their connection with who they are, where their people came from and a good understanding of their rich backgrounds and heritages.  I am so proud of my heritage and want my children and grandchildren to have an understanding of the people and places that contributed to their special uniqueness.  With that said, I ask if you could possibly help me in my pursuit. 

I know that there are Heeney's that still live in Balbriggan and Skerries.  I've read about their sports scores in the Irish newspapers.  I know that there are Heeney's employed in Balbriggan and Skerries.  I've looked up their information in directories.  I've sent out letters to Heeney's from your telephone book and emails to many without any response.  I have spoken with a female Heeney who is here in the US and she was a wonderful source of information, but now I would like to know of any others who might have family stories that they could share.

Please let me know if you could help me get some more photos or perhaps copies of the PowerPoint slides via email or if you could hook me up with a few Heeney's that still live in town and would like to share.

 

Thanks so much & God Bless!

Fondly,

Joyce Heeney

Sept-
Dec
2007
News
Here

Jan-Mar07
News
Here