Paddy is my paternal grandfather’s (Bill McCormack) first cousin. I never knew my grandfather, so meeting Paddy and his wife Maura in 2009 was a real treat for me.

Paddy and Maura have been married over sixty years. Paddy was a member of the 1949 County Laois hurling squad, runner-up in the All-Ireland final to County Tipperary. He’s a local legend, and he has a great memory for stories of the old days. Maura is sweet, has a fantastic sense of humor, as well as a bit of a determined streak. When we visited last September, Maura had recently undertaken the large job of painting the outside wall, “It needed painting, the state of it!” They are just a neat couple.

Maura, Paddy, and their seven children (as well as their niece and nephews) have gone a long way to make my family feel welcome every time we visit. We are very lucky to have such wonderful family in Ireland.

Photos by Regan McCormack