Return to Athenry

With Michael 'transported, wife Mary faces an uncertain future... but fortunes can change

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After watching the prison ship out of sight as it left the bay, Mary, knowing she would probably never see her husband again in this life, and cradling young Rory, trudged wearily back to the shattered remains of their humble shelter, hoping it may still offer some respite from the elements.

It was fortunate for the pair that there were some among the townsfolk who had taken pity on the Clearys' downfall. The little hut had been rebuilt, a small fire burned merrily in a makeshift grate and close by stood a wicker basket filled with bread, milk and potatoes. It was not an idyllic setting for a young mother and her child, but hopefully it would serve its purpose until her fortunes turned - and these were closer than she could ever have expected...

Weeks passed and Mary, with her child, had settled into a hard but passable existence. They dined each day on whatever the kind-hearted people could afford to give to them from their own meagre supplies.

Each evening, Mary, with Rory in her arms, would sing him lullabies and other old Gaelic songs. So sweet was her voice that many a passer-by paused in their journey to hear her singing softly to her son. At times, there would be quite an audience, enthralled by her angelic tones.

Among the admirers was one Kathleen Kelly, the landlady of Kelly's pub on the high street in Athenry. She had recently been widowed and was finding it difficult to run the pub on her own. Listening to Mary's endearing voice had given her an idea that would, she hoped, benefit her, the songstress and her son as well.