Southfork met Skeheen on Thursday when Dallas star Patrick Duffy visited the secluded east Mayo village to say 'Howdy' to his long-lost cousins.
Duffy, who played Bobby Ewing in the hit TV series, seemed bemused by the number of Duffys who turned out to greet him while on a visit to Kilmovee, his ancestral parish.
"It seems that just about everybody around here carries the surname Duffy," he said.
Scientist and biotechnologist Dr Tyrone Bowes, who established the actor's Irish ancestry, explained to Duffy and his partner Linda Purl, that in centuries past a large number of Duffys migrated to east Mayo from Ulster counties.
In Griffith’s Valuation lists (1853) for the parish of Kilmovee, 70 Duffy property owners are recorded.
During their visit to Kilmovee, Duffy and Purl visited an ancient, long closed, graveyard where generations of Duffys were laid to rest, as well as the imposing and remarkably untouched stone fort at Kilcashel.
They also visited the house in Skeheen townland – renovated to slate from thatch in the 1960s – where Duffy’s great grandfather, Terence Duffy, lived before he emigrated in the 1800s.
At Kilmovee Community Centre, a homely meal was prepared for visitors which included boxty, courtesy of Bridie Langan, and buns followed by traditional bacon and cabbage.
Local parish priest, Fr. Joseph Gavigan said Patrick Duffy’s visit had boosted the spirit of the community.
He added: "Patrick Duffy’s ancestors left Ireland in difficult times. Their success as emigrants is one of the positive stories about the exodus from Ireland in the 19th century".
The day’s festivities ended with a visit to the local pub in Kilmovee. It is owned by a family of – yes you’ve guessed it - Duffys.
