The emigration stories of five Mayo people who left home in the 50s and 60s are told in a new book, Coming Home which has been produced by the Safe Home Programme and was launched by Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin TD.
Speaking at the launch Minister Martin said: “It is telling that five of the 36 stories contained in the Coming Home book are about the lives of Mayo people. It is a fact that reminds us of the impact emigration had on our communities in our not too distant past.
“We owe a debt of thanks to William Gibbons of Aughagower, Patrick Gallagher of Currane on Achill, Joseph Mullarkey of Ballyhaunis, Mary Caffrey of Mulranny and John Coyne of Killeen who are allowing us to share in their life stories. Their story is the story of emigration. Each candidly speaks of their fears and their hopes as they set off to begin new lives – what they don’t speak about but comes through in abundance is the courage they had in making what was a stark decision to leave Mayo.
“The book Coming Home is a reminder of how a generation of young Irish people coped with the many difficulties they faced and how many ended up taking the boat or the plane to strange lands.”
Minister Martin said the book is also a testimony to the invaluable work undertaken by the Safe Home Programme, Frances Browner, who travelled to the homes of the returned emigrants, and Dr Jerry Cowley, the founder of the programme, which is based in St Brendan’s Village, Mulranny.
“My own Department has developed strong links with the programme with the Government providing about €1.1 million in funding since it started. I hope that young people throughout the country will read the book and become more aware about life in Ireland at a time when our people faced great challenges and difficulties,” concluded Minister Martin.
