An American's 40 years reconnect with Kilcullen

John Cullen with his children Bridget and Justin.

When proud Irish-American John Cullen was last in Ireland, 40 years ago, he took a photograph of two children outside Kilcullen's parish church, writes Brian Byrne. They were so typically Irish that the framed picture has hung in his home in Iowa ever since as a reminder of that trip.

A couple of weeks ago we posted the photo on the Diary, and very quickly found that they were Amanda and Nigel Tyrell, children of Gerry and Kay. 

Last weekend, John Cullen was back in Kilcullen, this time with his wife and their own children and their partners, while on a pandemic-delayed 70th birthday present trip to this country from daughter Bridget and son Justin. Always intrigued by the photo in their home, they had suggested he take one of them in the same location. So that's just what he did last Sunday morning, on a short stopover while driving from Dublin to Cork. A previous winner of Iowa Photographer of the Year, no doubt John's latest picture will companion the other in his living room. With neither Amanda nor Nigel now living in the area, he was unable to meet with them, but sends his best wishes.

Branden Laxner, John Cullen, Bridget Cullen, Justin Cullen, Mary Cullen, and Piper Akol.

John Cullen is the founder and President of the Storm Lake Times Pilot newspaper, serving the city of Storm Lake (pop 11,269) in Buena Vista County, Iowa, for more than three decades. He passed on the Publisher title to his Editor brother Art three years ago, but as Art wrote at the time, old publishers never fade away. Especially when they don't play golf and their only hobby is their vocation. 

It was a short but very pleasant visit with your Diary editor last Sunday, when we briefly got to talk about journalism, the state of local newspapers ("tough times, always"), and the values of friendship and community.

Currently on a round-Ireland spin, John and his family are back in Dublin this coming weekend for the Notre Dame 'Fighting Irish' American football game against Navy in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at the Aviva Stadium. With the Cullens all alumni of Notre Dame, there are no prizes for guessing who they'll be cheering.

UPDATE: The Diary was later able to put Nigel Tyrell and John Cullen in contact with each other and they had what Nigel describes as 'a good chat and a good laugh' and they'll be staying in touch.

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