This Irish rag doll was gifted to my daughters by a friend who visited Ireland. The doll is named Róisín, and she is representative of my family’s Irish heritage. My great-grandmother immigrated as a child from Ireland to Dorchester, MA in the early 1900s. Even though I never had the pleasure of meeting my great-grandmother, I know my family took great pride in their Irish heritage. Especially my Nana who loved all things Ireland. When I was growing up, we would listen to Irish music, attend Irish festivals, watch the Irish step-dancers, and we loved attending Boston's St. Patrick's Day parade. Before my Nana passed she was so proud of her trip back to Ireland where she was able to kiss the Blarney Stone. A story that she would beam with joy as she shared the details of her travels. Today, a lot of the traditions I celebrated as a child to honor my heritage have faded over the years. I now celebrate with my children in our own way, every year we celebrate St. Patrick’s day by cooking a traditional boiled dinner and homemade Irish soda bread. It is a day that we love and look forward to every year, a tradition that I hope they'll one day continue with their own families.

– JH

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more