Contributed by James Pilgrim
Mary, affectionately known as May, was born on 3 May 1937 in County Carlow, Ireland, into a family of four children, consisting of three boys and one girl. Tragedy struck early in her life when her mother passed away in her 30s. Her father remarried, but his second wife did not want the children. As a result, May and her brothers Michael, Martin, and George were sent to separate children’s homes. May was placed in St Joseph’s Children’s Home in County Kilkenny, while her brothers were sent to St Patrick’s Industrial School, Kilkenny. Despite the hardship, May grew up with a love for children and a strong sense of resilience.
At 17, May trained as a nurse at Saint Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin. Unfortunately, an accident at work cut short her nursing training and career. She later worked as a childminder for Maisie and William (Bill) Hennigan. It was during this time that she met Bill’s brother, Jim Hennigan, an older man from Killasser, near Swinford in County Mayo. Jim came from a family of four boys and one girl. While some of his siblings emigrated to America or moved to Dublin, Jim eventually settled in London.
May and Jim’s paths crossed during one of Jim’s visits back to Dublin. May was in her early 20s, and Jim was in his late 30s. Their connection grew, and they eventually married in November 1960, moving to London to start a new life together the following year. They settled in Tollington Park/Stroud Green Road and became part of the tight-knit Irish community. May worked in hotels as a cook and housekeeper and Jim worked on the roads, always taking pride in his appearance. Despite facing housing struggles and occasional discrimination, the couple leaned on the support of their Irish network. It was partly thanks to this tight-knit network that May was eventually reunited with her brothers.
May and Jim faced heartbreak as they struggled to conceive. However, they were blessed in 1962 with one daughter, Patricia, who became the centre of their world. Tragically, Jim passed away when Patricia was just 13, leaving May to raise their daughter alone. May worked tirelessly as a hotel housekeeper, running a tight ship at home. She was meticulous and devoted to her family.
Patricia Hennigan grew up deeply connected to her Irish roots. She was a daddy’s girl, and Jim’s passing left a lasting impact on her. Patricia worked at Sainsbury’s and later as a patient navigator at the Royal Free Hospital. She met her husband at The Murray Arms in Camden, a popular spot for the Irish community. Together, they had two sons, one of whom is contributor James Pilgrim.
James, the grandson of May and Jim, grew up immersed in Irish culture. He became an accomplished Irish dancer, specialising in set and céilí dancing. However, osteoarthritis has since limited his mobility, and he is now affectionately known as ‘The Wheel Elvis’ due to his charismatic presence in his wheelchair while performing as an Elvis tribute act. James remains deeply connected to his heritage and is an active member of the London-Irish community.
The Hennigan-Pilgrim family maintained strong ties to Ireland, returning to Mayo and Dublin every summer. James has fond memories of these trips and his close relationship with his granny, May. The family also enjoyed Irish music and dancing, often visiting Irish pubs and clubs such as The Buffalo and Galtymore. May was a regular at the London Irish Centre in the 70s and 80s, where she was involved with The Mayo Association and The Mothers’ Union. She later continued to celebrate her love for Irish culture and music as a member of the Haringey Irish Cultural and Community Centre in the 1990s.
May’s life was marked by resilience, from her early years in a children’s home to her struggles with housing and loss. She passed away in 2001 at the age of 63 from a brain tumour. Her legacy lives on through her daughter Patricia and grandson James. The family’s story is a testament to the strength of the Irish diaspora, their ability to support one another, and their enduring love for their heritage.