10/12/2026
đ¸ A Familyâs Treasures. A Communityâs History. A Legacy Preserved.
What can happen when we share the photographs and stories tucked away in our family collections? Sometimes, we uncover a remarkable piece of history that deserves to be remembered for generations.
Last September, Frances McAleer of Windsor, California, visited the United Irish Cultural Center to donate a collection of fascinating black-and-white photographs from the 1940s. Her grandmother, Bridie Powell, grew up on Inishmore in the Aran Islands before eventually making her way to San Francisco. These photographs preserved glimpses of the island community her grandmother once called home.
Among the images were photographs stamped Irish Press Photos, documenting Ăamon de Valeraâs visit to Kilronan Pier on Inishmore in July 1947, when he was serving as Taoiseach of Ireland. What began as Francesâs curiosity about the photographs led to further research and the discovery of the historical story behind them.
Frances has also shared photographs of her fatherâs GAA hurling club trophy and the well-worn shoes he wore on the playing field â treasured reminders of the people, passions, and traditions that connect Irish families across generations.
We are grateful to Frances for recognizing the value of these family treasures and entrusting them to the UICC and the Dowling Library for preservation.
This is what preserving our shared history is all about. It is not only the story of famous figures and historic events, but also the stories of our grandparents, the communities they came from, the sports they played, and the lives they built here in the Bay Area.
Every photograph, document, and keepsake has the potential to reveal something meaningful about our past. When these treasures are shared, they become part of a much larger story â one that belongs to all of us.
đ Do you have old Irish family photographs, letters, documents, or keepsakes tucked away at home? We invite you to connect with the Dowling Library at the United Irish Cultural Center. Your familyâs history may be an important piece of our shared Irish heritage.
Our sincere thanks to Frances McAleer for helping ensure these stories will not be lost to time.
