Mayo town leaves 'positive impression' on US actress
She said the “open friendly faces” she encountered in Mayo have been a “nourishing tonic” as she returns to Los Angeles.
COMMUNITY NOTES: BALLYHAUNIS - WESTERN PEOPLE (MAY 19 EDITION)
Ballyhaunis left a very positive impression recently on Californian actress Terry Finn, who was in town to visit her sister Merrilyn. Terry, who is also known off-stage as Teresa, is currently a cast member of the Matlock remake starring Kathy Bates on Paramount+ television.
“There is little that contradicts an Irish American’s notion that they are Irish like a trip to Ireland,” said Terry. “I learned this on my first visit here over fifty years ago and the two weeks I’ve spent here since my most recent return have not dissuaded me. Having embraced this truth, I make it my business to honour the local vibe wherever I travel and the local vibe in Ballyhaunis is very agreeable indeed.
“I’m here to see my sister who has been embraced by the community since her arrival seven years ago. I’d been bragging of my sister’s bravery in leaving the United States to establish a life in the land of our ancestors and had of course been eager to see the place she calls home. Happily, I can now brag that her instincts served her well in putting down roots in heavenly Ballyhaunis.”
During her visit, Terry spoke at the Thursday night meeting of Ballyhaunis Language Café about her acting career, highlights of which include being in the original Broadway cast of Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along.
“I also appeared Off Broadway in Big Maggie, directed by Ireland’s Donal Donnelly. I worked in regional theatres around the States doing such plays as Amadeus and As You Like It.
Terry’s husband, David L. Snyder, is an Oscar-nominated production designer.
“We have worked together on Super Mario Bros, Terminal Velocity and Rainbow, directed by Bob Hoskins.”
The recent spell of sunshine allowed Terry see Ballyhaunis at its best.
“My first walk into town on a beautiful bright clear day found me wandering in the friary and listening to the many varieties of birds and their song. A gentle river ripples through the landscape where steps lead up to the friary church and the adjacent churchyard where I searched for names matching my grandparents and their ancestors.
“The peace here contrasts sharply with the cacophony of life in Los Angeles and the US in general in these unsettling days in America. I’ve since taken this walk into town every day to shop and enjoy the cordial atmosphere. The gorgeous weather has been a blessing during my trip and I have enjoyed every minute of Ireland’s crisp temperature and sunshine.”
Teresa visited the gravesite of her great-grandparents Michael and Mary Morley, in Aghamore, and the homestead where her grandmother lived before she emigrated to America.
“This was a surprisingly profound moment for me. Putting my hands on the ground where they are buried, and touching the stonework on the old house moved me to tears.”
She also saw extended family nearer to Ballyhaunis.
“Breakfast after church with second cousins in Johnstown was great and they took me to see some donkeys which I’d been dying to do. I also wanted to tempt some faeries to my orbit but was assured by those in the know I probably don’t want to invite that kind of mischief.”
Terry said the “open friendly faces” she encountered in Ballyhaunis have been a “nourishing tonic” as she returns to Los Angeles.
“The spectacular sky with it’s grey clouds battling the insistent sunshine against the bright Irish green landscape where stone fences snake into the horizon conjure Ireland’s magic. It is just so pretty. I will miss Ballyhaunis.”
