A QUAINT 18th century cottage in Garrison was a suitable setting for the Keown family at the weekend as they reminisced about old times, swapped stories and created new memories.
Sitting on an old chair reflecting on how far his family had come was Michael Haggerty who along with his wife Shirley has spent years ensuring the homestead has been preserved for future generations. 
Following years of work, mostly carried out by the husband and wife, the old structure still has the original floor and no ceiling lights, radiators or new fittings and is not too dissimilar to how it was when 13 Keown children and two grandparents lived in it all those years ago. 
It was the perfect stop for the gathering which attracted over 100 members of the family.
“Back then the children grew up, girls married locally, one or two boys stayed locally. 
“It’s a lovely place to live but it’s not easy to find employment. That’s why today the Keown family in particular are so widely dispersed,” Mr. Haggerty told The Impartial Reporter.
But the family were determined to make the reunion a success as they travelled from counties such as Clare, Donegal, Kildare and Tyrone and Manchester, Belfast and Kent and other locations to the Riverside Bar, the family’s pub in Garrison, which also celebrated its 21st birthday at the weekend.
Gabriel Keown, the son of Michael and Jane from the Border village, was instrumental in organising the event which was first discussed over two years ago. 
“As we know only too well, families really only meet and either a wedding or funeral,” said Mr. Keown, who is Mr. Haggerty’s cousin. 
“Bringing so many family together in one place created such fantastic memories, the opportunity to catch up on many years and even decades of stories, and to do what we all so too often forget, make time for each other,” he said.
During the weekend the family collected hundreds of photos, shared stories about their grandparents and great grandparents and spent the weekend recalling childhood memories and events, visiting the ancestral home and enjoying music and entertainment.
“The whole weekend has just been overwhelming, I will treasure this forever. 
“I know I see many of the family regularly, but for us all to sit down and eat together and chat has meant so much. To capture the memories and have these to share with future generations is also so important.
“Family for me are the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are; the ones who do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what,” said Mr. Keown.