(Wexford Echo - 26/3/13)
Campbell Family Gathering
Wexford – St Patrick’s Weekend 2013
It was homeward bound for the Campbell family gathering as they descended on Wexford Town and surrounding areas for the St Patrick’s weekend. Eight branches of the clan represented by over 50 family members travelled from all over Ireland, England and Wales for a celebration of social, historical and cultural events, including a healthy 5km walk of Kilmore Quay. “The walk was a great idea for everyone in the family to get involved” commented Dorothy Amery (70) nee Campbell from Cardiff, Wales who was originally born into the Garda station at Kilmore Quay where her father James Campbell was stationed at the time before being transferred to Wexford Town. “The theme of the walk is about tracing the footsteps on the beat of our father while setting an example for our kids and grandkids.”
The gathering started on Saturday with a visit to Crosstown Cemetery to remember loved ones followed by a short presentation by family genealogist Anita Campbell in the nearby Riverbank Hotel. “It’s a trip back in time for all of us,” said Dermot Campbell (76), father of Echo photographer Jim Campbell, who has lived and worked in Wexford most of his life. “Yes, it’s about history but it’s also about present day and future generations. It is a really special weekend for me and my family.” After an afternoon of relaxed socializing, the remembrance theme was continued with a family mass in Rowe Street Church before an evening of celebrating until the wee hours of the morning.
The family walk on Sunday through Kilmore Quay was a celebration of health and wellness with family members as young as three years old starting out from the Maritime Monument and Memorial Garden. Included in the procession were Stuart and Philip Campbell, sons of Captain Frederick Campbell who was tragically lost at sea and remembered on the Maritime Monument. “I am so delighted for my two little boys that we can all be here today remembering their grandfather,” said 44 year old Stuart from Middleton, Cork. “It’s a chance to chat and catch up with each other while doing something healthy outdoors in the fresh air.” The course took in parts of the quays, up towards the Garda Station for a few photos and back down to the quays with it’s unspoilt views of the Saltees. A glass of the black stuff was a welcome treat to celebrate St Patrick’s day and a family birthday while sheltering from the odd shower in a local bar. Cake and candles continued downtown in Rob’s Ranch later that evening with an intimate family dinner to finish up the celebrations.
The focus for the weekend was about keeping it simple and allowing family members to drop in and out as they pleased. Many of the events were either free of charge or at a very reasonable cost which added extra value to the shared experience of being together. A gathering that many families could easily replicate.
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