Welcome to Michael’s Diary
I created Michael’s Diary for many reasons. For years, I’ve kept notes of my daily activities — reminders of things to do, requests I might forget, or simply a record of the day’s events. Over time, I realised that these notes were becoming more than just reminders: they were glimpses into my life and memory, and I wanted to bring them together in one place.
Now at the age of seventy, I find myself looking both forward and back. At sixty-four, a cardiac arrest left me with some frustrating gaps in my memory, but it also gave me a renewed sense of purpose. This diary is my way of recording today “as it happens,” while also piecing together the seven decades of life I’ve already lived.
Over the years, I’ve met countless people and been fortunate to experience a life filled with humour, adventure, and reward. My memories don’t always arrive in neat chronological order — more often, they’re sparked by a phrase, a chance encounter, or a piece of music that unlocks something hidden in my mind’s vault. Through these pages, I’ll share those memories as they resurface, weaving the past with the present.
I’ve also become fascinated by the stories of others — family, friends, even strangers I observe while indulging my favourite pastime of people-watching in coffee shops. Everyone has a story, and I’m eager to discover and share them alongside my own.
My journey back into family history has already revealed extraordinary stories. Tracing my roots from Canada into Ireland has uncovered surprises, some joyful, others shocking — with much more waiting to be found in archives and parish records. I’ll be sharing these discoveries here, as I continue digging deeper into the lives of my ancestors and the worlds they inhabited.
I hope you’ll join me on this journey — part diary, part memoir, part family history — as I uncover not just my own story, but the stories that connect us all.
to be continued…..