Michael Scott visits the area around Kenmare to trace his family connections to Kerry.
Although born in Drogheda, the distinguished architect, Michael Scott has strong ties to Kerry. His father and grandfather came from near Sneem in County Kerry.
I still get great pleasure in looking at the ordnance survey map and seeing the family name on this small mountain and on Scott's Rock in the sea beside Rossdohan Island.
Michael Scott's family have lived in the area for many generations. He visits the old cottage where his grandfather was born, located on the side of Scott's Hill. Close to the house is a stretch of water known locally as the Long Lake. His father, as a boy returning from school, would swim the length of the lake with his books tied to the back of his head.
The river Blackwater flows through the valley of Gearagh. Michael Scott named his own house Gearagh afer the location. His grandfather used to look after the river for the O'Mahonys of Dromore Castle.
When his grandfather left Scott's Hill, he moved to another house nearby.
It was from here that he went to fight for the Pope against Garibaldi.
His grandfather was shot in the hip in Rome, was brought to Paris and eventually returned to Gearagh.
It was at Dromore Castle, home to the O'Mahony family, where his grandfather worked. His grandfather was related to the O'Mahony's by marriage. His grandfather is mentioned in the book 'The Songs of Four Nations' and is thanked for his contribution in translating Irish songs into English.
'My Own Place: Michael Scott's Corner of Kerry' was broadcast on 8 October 1975.
In the series 'My Own Place', noted Irish personalities make pilgrimages to places intimately associated with their past.
