This brooch was worn by my mother and her sisters as a part of their Irish dancing costumes.  My grandmother and grandfather both come from County Sligo in Ireland and although my mother was born and raised in America, this is one of the many things that her parents did to keep in touch with their Irish culture.  My grandfather came to the United States in 1951 at the age of 15 and my grandmother came here in 1954 when she was 18.  Even though my grandparents grew up very close to each other, even attending the same school at one point, they did not remember each other until they met at an Irish social in NYC in 1960.  After getting married, they continued to be a part of Irish organizations and kept in touch with many relatives in Ireland. None of my immediate relatives live in Ireland anymore however many of my mother's cousins and some of her uncles still live there.  My cousins and I still keep in touch with our Irish heritage; for many years we did Irish dance and some of us are on the way to becoming Irish citizens.

– Maryann Foley

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant