Who Was Granny? A Family History

Maura began her journey wanting to write down the story of her grandmother and her life in Drimnagh Castle. She knew nothing of the early life of this woman who was so important in her life and the life of those around her. The story grew as the research developed and lead to this fascinating book which is also full of local history about our own area here in west Wicklow.

The book tells the story of how her grandmother married out of her faith and had to leave her home because of this. Maura’s grandparents were Kate Langrell and Michael Traynor and they were married in Dublin in 1895 and began their married life in Drimnagh Castle. Michael worked as a wheelwright and farm labourer and together they also kept a market garden, selling their produce for an extra income.

In 1994 a family gathering was held to celebrate one hundred years of the family connection to Drimnagh castle. Maura was surprised at how little was known about her grandparents and their early life. So, together with her cousin Connie, they began to research the family history.

The book follows the family from Dublin, where Maura was born, telling the story of her upbringing and that of her close relations, back through the generations to the counties of Wicklow and Wexford.