The Ryans and The Oates

Story ID:	1431
Written by:	K. L. Farnum
Story type:	Family History
Location:	Dublin Ireland
Year:	1892
Person:	My Great Grandparents

The Ryans and The Oates

It was one of those soft summer days when it was a sin to be inside. The sun gleamed off the water as it gently washed against the shore line. The gulls flew about, singing the song of the sea, a song as old as life itself. The town of Dublin was a shipping town. With it’s brightly colored houses and schools. A lot was going on in Ireland during the time this story began.

This is a love story, about homeland and of family, and loved ones. Kathleen was just a young lass of twenty-one, a smile that warmed your heart, long black dancing curly hair, and eyes to match. Her skin was a pale opalescent pink with just a hint of a tan. Walking down Mc Carry Street, her sister Mary Kate was at her side. Kathleen was two years younger than Mary, so it was Mary’s responsibility to keep an eye on Kate. It was hard to do at times as Kate was known to be a little spitfire when she wanted to be. Not in a bad way though, everyone said she was a lot like her grandmother. Mary was just an inch taller than Kate, but you stood them two side by side and they looked identical. Mary was the prim and proper lady type and Kate was Kate. Everyone who met her fell instantly in love with her.

Their father, John Ryan was a laborer and their mother Margaret (Keeley) Ryan a housekeeper. There were three other brothers living at home. John was a tall lanky boy of fourteen. A very good boy, who worked hard helping his father, when he could. He mostly spent much of his spare time with his schooling, as he wanted to grow up and be a Dr. to be a help to the sick and ailing people of Ireland. Mark was twelve and not at all like the other children. He wanted to sail the sea and be a fisherman. He loved the sea. It is said by the folks in the small town of Portlaoise, that when Mark was born the first gulp of air that the lad took was on a misty morn; the ocean air with its salty taste drifted ashore and when he took his first breath, it was the sea that drifted into his lungs and flowed throughout his veins, capturing him forever. Then last but not least, there was Mathew, he was ten and a typical ten years old. Not a care in the world. He loved everyone and hated no one. But look in his eyes and you could see mischief lurking there. When he wanted to he could be a prankster.

The year is 1891, and everyone had taken a small trip to Dublin on a shopping spree. Money was very tight, and little to be spent, but it was considered an outing for them. While there father had business to tend to, and Mother had a sister living in Dublin. She spent an afternoon visiting Bess and her children, while Father took care of business. The boys stayed with Mother, and the girls under the watchful eye of Father journeyed into town. It was there in the town of Dublin, on that GOD given day, that my Great Grand-mother met and fell in love with my Great-Grand-father. His name was Michael Oates. It has been passed on down through the family that on that beautiful day, my Great Grand-father was in school, in Dublin to be a Catholic Priest, and had been for two years. But at the sight of my Great Grand-mother walking down the street, my Great Grand-father forgot all about his schooling and started courting Kathleen Ryan. He had fallen madly in love, and she with him. Under the watchful eyes of Kathleen’s mother and Father they courted for what seemed like forever. Michael was falling deeper and deeper in love with the fair Kathleen.

After what seemed like forever they convinced Kathleen’s parents they were to wed. The Ryan’s had family living in the United States, and they felt that Kathleen and Mary would do better if they left Ireland and went to the States. They weren’t to sure about this Catholic that wanted to marry their daughter. So they packed the girls up and took them to Dublin, where they were to sail to the States upon the Teutonic. Little did they know that Michael had plans of his own? Having no money to pay his fee, he signed up to work his way across on the same ship. I do not the exact day that they left, but the story told by family is that while aboard the steam ship Kathleen and Michael married. They arrived in New York on Feb. 11, 1892. They then married again when they arrived in New York. They had seven children. Some where in there, my Mother was born, and along came me.

I wish I knew all the facts, and even if some of these things were true. But some of it must have been, because here I am. I remember my Great Grand-mother. She would come and get me in a big car and I was just a wee bit of a lass. Mom would dress me up pretty, and Gram would come get me and take me shopping. I remember her well. I just wish that I had been old enough to ask questions. Remember to ask questions while you still can.


@ 2007 K.L. Farnum