Note: The author’s grandmother Begum Jennifer Qazi Musa was born in a tiny village in Tarmons, in Tarbert in County Kerry, in southern Ireland. She was elected to the Pakistani parliament on a NAP ticket, and then nominated as the representative of Balochistan on the constituent committee that was writing the 1973 constitution. Click here for the story of her life and work in part I.
When I was launching my book in London in 2022, I met aunt Marie, the daughter of my grandmother’s younger sister Jo Wren. She asked if I would like to meet the rest of the family in Kerry. My book on Balochistan, published in London, had connected me with the rest of my Irish family.
Having finally connected with my relatives in Kerry, I have managed to piece together a deeper and wider picture of my Irish ancestors. Johnny Wren was an educated farmer and insured his children were all educated. While his girls were in London, I have had the privilege of reading some of his letters to his daughters, including to my grandmother Bridie.
The letters share the conditions of Tarmons in the 1930s: food and tobacco rations, living in darkness with little kerosene. Little money, few jobs for those not working on farms. Difficult times but living with a smile.
The love of a father comes through so strongly in these letters: his concern for aunty Margret (sister) being unwell and Johannah keeping it from him not to concern him. He describes local gossip to keep the daughters connected to Tarmon, who we.