From Turbot Island to Birmingham: My Nan’s Journey of Strength and Love

Off the wild and windswept coast of Galway lies Turbot Island, a small, rugged place that is deeply rooted in my family’s history. It’s where my Nan’s story began—a story of resilience, courage, and love that has taken her from a remote Irish island to the bustling streets of New York, and finally to Birmingham, where she and my grandad built the foundation of our family.

Though she left Turbot Island as a teenager, my Nan is still with us today, her strength and wisdom lighting up our lives. She carries with her the spirit of Turbot Island, a place that shaped her and continues to inspire us all.

The Island That Shaped Her

Turbot Island, off the coast of Connemara in Galway, is a place of rugged beauty and isolation. Accessible only by boat, it’s a land of rolling green pastures, jagged cliffs, and the endless roar of the Atlantic. Life there was never easy, but for my Nan, it was home.

Growing up on Turbot Island meant being part of a close-knit community where everyone relied on each other. The women, in particular, were the backbone of this way of life, balancing endless responsibilities while also preserving the island’s culture and traditions. My Nan has always spoken fondly of her childhood there, remembering the stories told in Irish (Gaeilge), the hard work it took to live off the land and sea, and the unbreakable sense of togetherness that defined island life.

Leaving for New York

When my Nan was still a teenager, she made the brave decision to leave Turbot Island for New York. It was a huge leap, but like so many Irish people of her generation, she sought new opportunities and a chance to build a better future.

She often describes the mix of excitement and fear she felt when she boarded the ship, leaving behind the only home she had ever known. But even as she crossed the Atlantic, she carried with her the strength and resilience she had learned on Turbot Island.

Arriving in New York, she was met with a city that was vibrant and full of life but also full of challenges. My Nan worked hard to establish herself, leaning on her island upbringing to adapt and thrive in this new world.

Meeting My Grandad

It was in New York that she met my grandad, a proud man from Donegal whose own journey was one of admiration. He, too, had left Ireland in search of opportunity, and they quickly bonded over their shared heritage.

Their love story is one my Nan loves to tell. She speaks of my grandad’s charm and humor, and how they built a life together in the heart of New York City. Two Irish emigrants in a foreign land, they found strength in each other, creating a partnership built on love, resilience, and hope for the future.

Settling in Birmingham

After they married, my Nan and grandad decided to leave New York and they briefly settled back in Galway before making a permanent stop in Birmingham, England, where they started our family. For my Nan, Birmingham was a world away from the quiet isolation of Turbot Island, but she brought the spirit of the island with her wherever she went.

She created a home that was warm and full of love, a place where the values of Turbot Island were alive in the stories she told, the meals she cooked, and the traditions she passed down. Her resilience and resourcefulness, forged on the island, became the foundation of our family. My Nan’s hard work and determination ensured that her children and grandchildren had opportunities she could have only dreamed of when she was growing up on Turbot Island.

Her Legacy Today

Today, my Nan remains the heart of our family. She’s still with us, sharing her wisdom, humor, and strength. Her life—from the windswept cliffs of Turbot Island to the bustling streets of New York and finally to Birmingham—has been an incredible journey, and she continues to inspire everyone who knows her.

She often talks about her childhood on Turbot Island, painting vivid pictures of the sea, the land, and the people who made the island so special. Even though she left as a teenager, her connection to Turbot Island remains unbreakable, and through her stories, it feels like a part of the island lives on in all of us.

Carrying Her Strength Forward

When I think of my Nan’s journey, I’m filled with pride. Leaving Turbot Island as a teenager was an act of extraordinary courage. She left behind the familiar for the unknown, carried the values of her upbringing across an ocean, and built a life filled with love and opportunity for her family.

Her partnership with my grandad, a man who shared her Irish roots and her determination, became the foundation of our family’s story. Together, they built something beautiful, starting from two corners of Ireland—Turbot Island and Donegal—and creating a new legacy in Birmingham.

For me, Turbot Island is more than just a place. It’s a symbol of my Nan’s strength and resilience, a reminder of where our family’s journey began, and a connection to the love and traditions that continue to guide us. Through her, the spirit of Turbot Island lives on, inspiring us all to carry her legacy forward.