Episode 2: I spent time with Patricia Kernan in her home in Crossmaglen. Family and football have been at the heart of Patricia’s life for decades, much like Gaelic games are central to culture in South Armagh.

Originally from Jonesborough, Patricia married Joe Kernan at 18, and in her own words, they took on every obstacle as a team. From then on, one of her main goals was to build and maintain a strong family unit- and they did just that.

In this episode, we talk about rearing a family during the conflict, getting married at Dublin Airport, working from home before it was normal, and how her ‘boys’ turned the field behind their house into their own Croke Park.

Patricia also reflects on the tragedy of losing their first baby boy, Joseph, who would have been 46. She talks about fertility struggles, their longing for a family, the trauma of an ectopic pregnancy, and how their Labrador Bruno helped save her life.

This is Patricia Kernan, at Twenty-Five.

***Content Warning: While this conversation aims to raise awareness, this episode contains discussions of baby loss which some people might find distressing.

Support and Resources:

Feileacain: https://feileacain.ie/about/

SANDS (North): https://www.sands.org.uk/***

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