Contributed by Clare Costello
Angela Power’s family history is deeply intertwined
with the rich green landscapes of County Waterford,
Ireland, and the bustling streets of Birmingham,
England. The Power family story can be traced back
to John Power and Catherine Power, who lived in
Ballygarran, County Waterford in the early 1900s.
Their farm was situated on the outskirts of the
grounds of the craggy ruins of Dunhill Castle.
The la Poer (Power) family first came to Ireland with
Strongbow in 1132 and were granted the City of Waterford
and “the whole province thereabouts.” They built
Dunhill Castle in the early 1200s. This impressive ruin,
comprising half a fifteenth century tower and sections
of outer walls dating to the early 13th century, provided
a picturesque backdrop for the Power family lives. Their
farm, primarily a dairy operation with cows grazing under
the shadow of this ancient castle, is no longer a working
farm, but its history is a source of pride for the family.
John and Catherine Power had nine children, who
spread across the globe. Nell, Peggy, and Bobby
remained in Ireland, while Billy, Paddy, Tommy, and
Pauline ventured to Australia. John and Bridie (known
as Buddle) emigrated to England. John Power was born
on May 4, 1926, and would go on to marry Catherine
Sweeney, forming the branch of the family that led to
Angela Power. Today, Nell, Paddy, and Pauline are still
alive, holding the family’s memories and stories close.
On Angela’s maternal side, the Sweeney family hailed
from Portlaw, County Waterford. John and Mary Sweeney
had five children, three of whom—Maisie, Catherine (Kay),
and Bridget (Bee)—emigrated to England, settling close
to one another. Eddie and Eileen remained in Ireland. The
Sweeney sisters forged a close-knit community in England,
navigating the challenges of emigration together. All of
them have since passed away, but their legacy lives on in
their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
John Power, known affectionately as Donny, and Catherine
Sweeney, known as Kay, married on July 26, 1955, in St.
Patrick’s Church in Portlaw. Kay had initially moved to
England to work, returning to Ireland for the wedding
before Donny joined her in England. Their first home
was in Moseley, Birmingham, on Trafalgar Road. Donny
and Kay later moved to Third Avenue in Selly Park and
had four children together, Carmel, Joan, Angela and
Anthony. They lived there, next door to Kay’s sister for
52 years, with their children and nieces and nephews
growing up together in a close-knit family environment.
Donny worked at Cadbury’s Chocolate Factory briefly
before becoming a bus conductor, then a driver,
and eventually a bus inspector. Kay found work as a
dinner lady at St. Edward’s Primary School and also
worked in catering at the Ideal Benefit Society. Kay
was renowned for her baking and dressmaking, with
Sundays dedicated to Mass followed by the baking of
soda bread, scones, and cakes. Donny tended to his
allotments with dedication, growing vegetables like
potatoes and onions, which were family favorites.
The Power family’s experience of emigration was largely
positive, though they faced challenges, particularly in
the wake of the Birmingham pub bombings when Donny,
working on the buses, encountered hostility. Despite
this, Donny and Kay never complained, embodying
resilience and grace in the face of adversity.
Their Irish identity remained strong, and they were
founding members of the Waterford Association in
Digbeth, Birmingham, which hosted dinner, dances
and events at the Irish Centre and The Four Provinces
Social Club. Angela and her siblings were deeply
involved in Irish culture, participating in Irish dancing
and music. This tradition was passed down to Angela’s
four daughters who danced for the Murphy-Brennan
Academy in Birmingham where they were also taught to
play the tin whistle. The Birmingham St. Patrick’s Day
Parade, which was revived in 1996 after being cancelled
following the Birmingham pub bombings, became a
central event for the family, with Angela’s daughters
dancing down the streets of Birmingham many years.
Today, Angela and her daughters identify as part of
the Birmingham Irish Community, a unique blend
of British and Irish culture. This identity is deeply
rooted in their family’s history, their connection to
Waterford, and their continued celebration of Irish
traditions in their adopted home of Birmingham.