Maura Derrane has shared a sweet memory and momento her mother has kept for almost three decades.
Her parents, farmer Mattie and homemaker Bridgie, built their home in Inis Mór with Maura enjoying a quintessential Irish childhood there, and on returning there to celebrate Christmas, she found a newspaper clipping from 1995.
The clipping was from story about Maura overcoming illness as she took on a project - theatre acting - to help her launch her television career.
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Posting a snapshot of the clipping to Instagram, she shared that she is always amazed at the things her mum keeps.
She said: "Every time I come home to Inis Mór, I find a memory my mother has kept from many moons ago."
"She showed me this newspaper clipping the other day, which she kept from 1995, when I launched my acting career. It’s a play from the Taibhdhearc Theatre in Galway."
Explaining why she wanted to tackle the challenge of a play, she said: "I had just started working on television at the time, but has such a fear of cameras and public speaking that I decided I had to do something to get over it."
"Facing my fears on stage seemed like the best way to do it. I seriously nearly passed out of the opening night, not just from the flu, but seeing actual humans in the audience."
"But it was exhilarating at the same time. And it worked! It help me face the film and continue working in this industry since. Facing our fears is the only way!"
On another occasion that she was home, she came across an old picture of her mum, who looks just like her.
Taking to social media to share the beautiful black and white photo, Maura explained that her mother had made her own dress.
“Not on TV today, as I’m still getting over a terrible head cold. At home on Inismór looking through old photo albums.
“Found this fabulous photos of my mom, probably taken in the 1960’s. So elegant. She just told me she made this dress herself. #talented #mymom #oldphotos #islandlife”
English (US) ·