Contributed by Anne McCann
The McCann family history is deeply rooted in
County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It illustrates their
journey from rural Tyrone to Birmingham, England,
against the backdrop of Ireland’s recent history.
Anne McCann’s father, Kevin McCann, was born and
raised in the rural landscapes of Gortin, outside Omagh.
His family had deep ties to the land, with his father
working as a farmer. Kevin’s early life was marked by
hardship, particularly the loss of his mother when he
was still a boy. This loss profoundly affected Kevin,
prompting him to leave home at a young age, possibly
around 15 or 16, to seek work in England. The early
1950s were a time of significant emigration for young
Irishmen like Kevin, driven by the economic hardships
at home and the lure of opportunities abroad.
In England, Kevin worked wherever he could find
employment. Although he was a stone mason by trade,
he also honed his skills as a landscaper—a talent that
would earn him a Gold medal at the prestigious Chelsea
Flower Show in 1952. His work, characterised by an innate
understanding of design and craftsmanship, reflected
a natural talent that, had circumstances been different,
might have led him into architecture or engineering.
On one of his visits back to Tyrone, Kevin met Rose
McCullagh, a woman from the Glenelly Valley. Rose’s
family were dairy farmers, and like many women of her
generation, she found work wherever it was available,
including in bars and as a postwoman. Their meeting,
likely at a local dance, led to marriage, and Rose joined
Kevin in Birmingham, where they settled in Kings Heath.
Their home on Avenue Road became a hub for other Irish
immigrants, offering a place to stay for to those newly
arrived from Tyrone as they found their footing in England.
The McCann family’s life in Birmingham was deeply
influenced by their Irish heritage. Despite the challenges
of being Irish Catholics in England, particularly during
the Troubles, they maintained strong connections to
their roots. Every summer, as soon as school ended,
Anne and her siblings would travel back to Tyrone, where
they relished the freedom of farm life on the homestead
built by the McCullagh family. These trips were a stark
contrast to their life in the city, offering a taste of the life
they might have had if circumstances had been different.
However, life in England was not without its difficulties.
The Birmingham bombings brought a wave of anti-Irish
sentiment, and the McCann family, like many others, faced
prejudice. Ann recalls her mother being refused service in
a shop—a painful reminder of the suspicion and hostility
that many Irish immigrants faced during that time.
Despite these challenges, the McCann family remained
connected to their Irish heritage. Anne and her
sister were deeply involved in the Irish community
in Birmingham, particularly through Irish dancing.
Both girls trained at the Clara school of Irish dancing
at King’s Heath Birmingham and competed at the
world level. Their participation in events like the St.
Patrick’s Day parade further reinforced their sense of
identity and community; they are proud of their Irish
passport and visit the mother land ‘home’ regularly.
As Anne reflects on her life, she feels an even stronger
connection to Ireland now that her parents have passed
away. The physical ties to Tyrone may be gone—the
McCullagh family homestead is now sold—but the
memories and the sense of belonging remain. For
Anne, her Irish heritage is an integral part of who she
is, a connection that has grown stronger with time.
The McCann family’s story is one of resilience, adaptation,
and enduring connection to their roots. Despite the
challenges of emigration, they maintained a strong
sense of identity, passing down their love for Ireland
and pride in their heritage to the next generation.