Canadian prime minister heads west to ancestral homeland
Canadian Prime Minister Heads West to Ancestral Homeland
Canadian prime minister heads west to ancestral - On the second day of his trip to the Republic of Ireland, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited County Mayo, retracing his family's roots. His grandparents, Robert and Nora Moran, had emigrated to Canada in 1925, leaving behind their home in the village of Aughagower. Carney spent Saturday in Dublin with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin before returning to his ancestral village on Sunday.
During the visit, Carney reunited with relatives, including cousins who shared stories of his family's history. He expressed pride in his Irish heritage, calling it "a big part of who I am." The prime minister also met Irish President Catherine Connolly at Westport House, where he discussed international developments, including the progress toward a lasting ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.
A Return to Roots
Carney and his wife, Diana Fox Carney, attended a Mass at the parish church, followed by a visit to a graveyard where some family members are laid to rest. While there, he planted an Irish oak tree, a gesture that sparked a lighthearted moment. "I’ve had a career as a gardener," he joked, as his wife referenced Christy Moore’s song "Don’t Forget Your Shovel" in a nod to the tradition.
"It's fantastic to be back. I've been here twice, but no one noticed the last few times I came, so it's a great thrill." — Mark Carney
After the ceremony, Carney thanked attendees and urged them to explore the village’s landmarks, including what was once known as "Carney's sweetshop" and the local pub. His cousin Pat Carney and Maureen O'Malley, two of his closest Irish relatives, were among those present.
A Family Legacy
Maureen O'Malley’s daughter, Rosaleen Heraty, shared the family's connection to Carney during an interview with RTÉ. "Mam and Pat’s father was John Carney, who was the brother of Robert Carney, Mark Carney’s grandfather," she explained. "It’s all we can talk about—generations of the Carney clan, and we’re so excited to finally meet him."
"If you compare photos of him and his grandfather Robert, there’s an uncanny likeness. I noticed it when I spotted him on the telly when he was Governor of the Bank of England. I saw the name Carney and saw the face and said it to Mam." — Rosaleen Heraty
Heraty added, "She hardly missed a beat and just said, 'ah yeah, we haven’t seen them for years.'"
Historical Context
The Carney and Moran families were tenant farmers on the estate of Lord Sligo. Their homes, including the Carney homestead in Ayle townland, were modest thatched cottages with two front windows. Initially housing nine people across two rooms, the home later expanded to include a third. The Moran family’s residence in Mace North townland was nearby, both locations situated in Aughagower parish.
Local legend claims St Patrick once paused in Aughagower on his journey to Croagh Patrick. Carney’s grandparents would have endured significant hardship during Ireland’s famine era, becoming part of the mass emigration wave that saw over a million people leave the country in the early 20th century. The couple arrived in Canada in 1925, married the following year, and had three sons.
On Sunday night, Carney attended a reception in Westport, where he received a civic scroll from Mayo County Council. He was also presented with a commemorative history of the Carney family, authored by local historian Harry Hughes, along with researchers James Kelly and Micheál Casey.