‘Twas love of kinfolk that traversed the great spaces of land and Atlantic Ocean in the persons of these travellers from the States and we, who awaited eagerly these great events, were full of expectation and natural wonder on two fronts. The travellers from those all-so-distant parts of that mighty land America – Yes the Yanks – visibly full of wonder, maybe with some feelings of apprehension at those with whom they would meet and that they had never seen before. It was a journey into the unknown, an odyssey, especially for the Nelsens since their mother, Eileen Dineen, had died at all too young an age. She was destined never to return to Limerick and they were too young at the time to have absorbed much of the information about her birthplace and those of her family who had remained back in Ireland. Three out of twelve of the children born to Michael Dineen and Mary Joyce had emigrated to America and these who were making the return trip this time were Atremble with anticipation and excitement But then And the Lord bid the summer to hold on for the Nelsens, and so autumn chill and showers were delayed. The best year ever! That’s how it ranks and we now call it the Year of the Yanks. Real family love is a special wonder, And for fine weather to last we hopefully prayed And the Lord put autumn on hold and the summer rolled on the for the Nelsens And so autumn’s chills and showers were delayed A mother’s love lost When they were still boys Sweetest memories only left But one felt that the spirit of Eileen Was hovering gently o’er the scene And resting at home in old Limerick. Driest, hottest, sunniest summer/early autumn