Yon day when I set out for Loughrea (the 2nd yon day!) and I only had the OS map for the Loughrea area so I was depending on Google maps on my Iphone to get me there and the battery died in Birr…… So, I ended up in Portumna because I figured there was sure to be a signpost for Loughrea there – and – as I drove into Portumna I thought to myself that looks like a workhouse and sure enough it was.  A workhouse which is being restored – and – I was allowed take photographs and when I was leaving I asked how close Loughrea was and a man asked me what my surname was because I said my family were from Woodford and when I told him he said “I’m your cousin!!”  I had to laugh cos that’s how easy it can be in Ireland – sometimes.  He was my father’s cousin.