|
|
Former hoteliers return to
Redcastle
05.10.09
Hotel staff reunion in
McGowan’s Bar
by Simon McGeady, Inishowen Independent
MCGOWAN'S Bar in Redcastle was the recent
venue for a very special reunion of staff employed
at the Redcastle Hotel in the 1960s and early '70s
when it was run by Richard and Alma Cochrane, The
staff gathered to welcome back to Redcastle that
couple’s three children, Gayle, Myrna and David.
The siblings, who were born in Canada, spent much of
their youth in Redcastle before leaving these shores
to find their own way in life in England, Canada and
the United States. They returned to Ireland last
week to fulfill their mother’s final wish.
“Our Mother, Alma, died in 2003, but she always
wanted her ashes to be buried with our father,” said
Myrna, a nursing consultant who lives in Toronto.
Richard Cochrane was buried at Ballykelly Church of
Ireland and on September 24, in an emotional
ceremony, Alma’s remains were interred alongside
him. |
From there the three
made their way around the Foyle to Redcastle for a
happier gathering.
“Our mother would have been so proud to see so many
of the old Redcastle hotel workers here tonight,”
added Myrna who spent her teenage years living at
the old Redcastle Estate.
On inheriting the lands at Redcastle in the late
1950s, |
 |
Richard and Alma returned to the ancestral seat with
their young family in tow.
They set about turning the old country house into a
hotel. In 1972 the Cochrane’s sold up and moved to
Ballykelly, but not before they made a big
impression on the people of the area.
“We are so excited to see so many people here
tonight,” said Gayle, the oldest of the three
siblings, “It’s great to be able to reconnect with
all of our old friends. I’m really happy that people
remember us and wanted to organise this event. We
feel very honoured,”
While in Inishowen, the three visited the graveyard
of their famous relation Captain Ernest Cochrane,
who is buried at the local Church of Ireland
graveyard, but they expressed sadness at what they
called the graveyard's untidy appearance.
The Redcastle Hotel has changed hands no less than
six times since the Cochrane family owned it. The
three paid a visit to the Carlton Redcastle Hotel,
and were amazed at how much their former home had
changed since their last visit. “I can remember
going up to bed by candle light - how times have
changed,” added Gayle. |
|
