Consumer Correspondent
March 17, 2001 Consulate General of Ireland Ireland House 345 Park Ave., 17th Floor New York, New York 10154-0037
Dear Irish Consulate:
My maternal grandmother immigrated to this country 70 years ago, and her life is an Irish-American success story. After several years working as a domestic on a New England estate she met her husband, also an Irish immigrant, and enjoyed a life of considerable prosperity and happiness. She and her late husband owned a home and begat two wonderful daughters, the eldest of whom is my mother.
While we have enjoyed her immensely, I’m afraid the family’s consensus is that she must be returned to Ireland within the next year. She is a sweet and wonderful woman, but we can no longer stomach her mawkish poetry, songs, and country folktales, most of which involve her encounters with ill-tempered Co. Cavan livestock. She has become quite a nuisance.
I would be greatly obliged if you could forward the appropriate paperwork for repatriation.
Sincerely, Kenneth Cleaver
Mr. Kenneth Cleaver P.O. Box 810 Bedford, NY 10506 March 28, 2001
Thank you for your letter. Your grandmother seems to be one of the many success stories who emigrated from Ireland to make a new life in the United States, and I am sure you treasure her.
In response to your query, your grandmother, as an Irish national, is free to return to Ireland at any time, should she so wish. There is no “repatriation” scheme in place for this purpose. Should you require any additional information on Ireland, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely, Cait Moran Vice Consul
From the April 5-11, 2001 issue of the Northern California Bohemian.
