O'Grady-Fitzpatrick 25th Wedding Anniversary

Through Sullivan's Eye

Cleveland Celebrates O'Grady-Fitzpatrick
25th Wedding Anniversary

by
J C Sullivan, Ohio, USA

Classmates from Westport's Sacred Heart School gathered recently in Cleveland, Ohio to celebrate the 25th Wedding Anniversary of Westport-born Patricia O'Grady and her spouse Eddie Fitzpatrick. Kay Coe and Grainne O'Malley-McKibben travelled here for the festivities, as did other family members from Canada and the U.S.

Kay Coe was on her first trip to Amerikay. When approached about this interview, with the tape recorder in front of her, she had an incredulous look on her face and said, "You're kidding me!" When I assured her I wasn't she said, "No-o-o-o-, I don't want to tell ya... turn it off." Back home she works at Newport House Hotel, "a Georgian style mansion filled with beautiful old furniture." A son Christopher, 27, lives in Roscommon.

Grainne O'Malley-McKibben was on her second trip to the U.S., having visited Texas before. "I liked San Antonio. It was nice but not as nice as Cleveland." (I swear I didn't put her up to saying that) Referring to Ohio's Autumn season she added, "The colour in the trees is beautiful." Her children are Carmel, 28, Margaret, 26, twins Raymond and Rachel, 24 and Robert. She is employed as a receptionist for Allergan Pharmaceutical, a large American firm. "I love Ohio. I think it's a lovely countryside. The people are lovely, so friendly, so welcoming (glad she didn't meet some of my relatives). And we're really having such a great time. Patricia was my bridesmaid. We've been friends a long time."

Patricia's sister Margaret O'Grady-Hernon came in from Toronto for the celebration. "I came to Canada seven years ago but my children are all back in Ireland." They are Mary, Grainne, Sean, Padraig, Barbara, Ross, Martin, Dermot, James and Joseph. "I come in and out of Cleveland on a regular basis," she said. "I lived in Dublin for twenty years before I came out. All my children were born in Mayo. In 1988 I emigrated to Canada when my children were raised." Margaret surprised this writer, who is a native Clevelander, when she said, "I love Cleveland in the wintertime." She must be a skier.

Another family member came in from Chicago. Brother Pete O'Grady is a man with a sense of humour so dry one has to think twice whether or not he's putting you one. "Why do you want to interview me?", he inquired. Referring to a current American television program he said, "What kind of story are you doin', an "Unsolved Mysteries?"" When I asked if I could at least take his photograph he said, "No, no, for God's sake."

Another sister, Nuala (O'Grady) Tighe, Mentor, Ohio, had been the first person to greet us as we hung up our coats. A very gracious lady, she is the mother of Maura, 30 and Wendy, 28. She is employed at the Dillard's Department Store, Euclid Square Mall, Euclid, Ohio. With Nuala was her friend Gary Davidson, a Jewish attorney with an Irish spirit. "Back home in Dublin are our brothers Padraig and Frank," she said. "Our sister Mary Rose Hardiman lives in Athlone, Westmeath.

Sister Carrie Corcoran lives in Cork, Seamus in Westport, Joseph in Castlebar and Dermot lives in Australia. He's been out there approximately 20-25 years."

Included in the American itinerary was a visit to Washington, D.C. where they hoped to visit the White House. Eddie and Patricia's son Brendan is a student at Georgetown University in Washington. They're also hopeful of visiting Clare Hogan in Toronto, who's also the owner of Hogan's Pub in Westport, "where traditional music is played."

Gerry Quinn, who was at the celebration, broadcasted his Irish Radio Show at 10:00am the following morning. He mentioned several of the people who were at the party, including myself. He said I was there with my camera and would be publishing this story in Ireland.

After Quinn's show I telephoned the Fitzpatrick home. Eddie was sipping a 'Black Russian', "having a bit of the hair of the dog that bit me." They had stayed up until 3:00am and then, with only four hours sleep, took their children to the airport. Says I to Eddie, "I hear I was at your celebration last night. Did I behave myself?" Eddie's reply was, "Hell, we don't remember either."