Samuel Arrell

I love the fact that wherever you are in Ireland you can park your car on either side of the road no matter which direction you are travelling. Brilliant! This increases your parking options two fold, but also raises the likelihood of  having a head on crash as you pull out into oncoming traffic on the narrow streets.

I feel a distinct difference in the social atmosphere of Northern Ireland as compared to the South. I described it today as an “unnerving caution” in any conversations or social interactions that we have. I am not saying that this is a negative thing, but we have observed some quite dramatic differences between North and South. For example the layout of houses is very different, they are not built on the road front but rather have a small front lawn/garden. The roads have verges and the Audi stands out like dogs bollocks with the southern rego plates. All small things but it does feel and look like we have actually entered a different country.

However, the real news of the day is that we found Samuel Arrell, a second cousin of John Arrell (Marty’s father). The address that we were searching for was a little vague, and as Marty walked up Rocktown Road (a meandering country road about 2.5 kms long) from beginning to end, I took the Audi up a few side roads that were basically single lane’s with grass growing up the middle of them. We had difficulty tracking down any local farmers as it was early in the day and no one was home, and we were beginning to feel that the expedition was a bit futile.

I travelled up one lane and was about to turn around in a cow shed lay way when something told me I should just go over the small hill in front of me, which was shingle road with huge pot holes.

Over the brow of the hill I entered a driveway to turn around and around the corner walked a “John Arrell” (Martin’s Dad) lookalike pushing a wheelbarrow full of wood. I was god smacked, got out of the car and tried not to look like the IRA and explained who I was, and that we were looking for the Arrell farm. He looked at me with a gorgeous smile and said, “I’d be Sammy Arrell, and you have found it”. The Audi reversed out of the driveway with a handbrake slide to go and collect Marty who was valiantly still walking up Rocktown Road searching for his family.

Pulled up beside him and told him to get in the car and with another handbrake action we returned to Sam Arrell, where we have spent the day in the company of a charming man who has graciously given his day to us. I have written another document of the history that he gave us today, and will post this for those who are interested. I have about 8 pages of notes that I am trying to capture now into some sort of chronological order and anecdotally write. While this may not seem too difficult, you have to remember that it was an Irishman telling the story, which was a little like trying to follow Billy Connelly, and I say this with absolute respect!

Writing this is going to take a few days. But what a day it was today, wow, the Arrell connection can be seen from many dimensions. But for those of you that are interested, here is a little bit of information.

Samuel Arrell known as “Sammy” was born on April the 3^rd 1941. Married to Anne they have 3 children

1.     Karen Arrell, now Mrs. Glascow married to Mark Glascow.

2.     Colin Arrell married to Heather Arrell. Colin works as an engineering, electrical consultant to British Gas and was currently in Scotland at the time of our visit.

3.     Samuel David John Arrell, known as David Arrell who owns Northern Island Wedding cars, based at the old original homestead of the Arrell Family.

Quepress Cottage

39 Rocktown Road

Rocktown Castle Dawson

County London Derry.

             www.NorthernIslandWeddingcars.co.uk

David has never married but Sam is hopeful that one day he will. David inherits the family farm of 20 acres, plus a smaller farm of 10 acres where David is currently building a new home. The old site is where all the wedding cars are held and the old home has been transformed into a make shift office and small living quarters for David and the builders.

Eventually this original (but significantly modified) house will be removed. David is the 5^th generation Arrell to live on this property, and you can see the original part of the house in the photos.

David’s wedding car collection is incredible with approximately 16 cars from the old Daimlers, Bentley’s and Mercedes and he has just bought the franchise for the “Royale” which is the car I am sitting in waving to you. Essentially a new car put into the body of an old shape and a real hit for weddings these days. And at 8 weddings per week, I guess you need to respond to your customers.

All are in beautiful states of repair and all in full working order. It was incredibly impressive. Sam (David’s father) is also driver for the 8 weddings per week they do on average, and you can imagine Sam all dressed up in his Chauffer’s outfit, looking very dapper driving the brides to be to their wedding destinations.

Samuel has worked as an engineer in local hospitals in Antrim for the past 30 years. He has worked across 3 counties, in large hospitals including a Psychiatric institution called Holywell hospital in Antrim. Sam has been retired now for 5 years, as is his wife Anne who has been a schoolteacher for 30 years. They are a great family, and Martin is so happy to have met them, as I have been.

Suffice to say, we are knackered, and it’s off to the pub for me to unwind after a very exciting day for Martin. I have to call him Martin in Ireland.

Love to you all and I will look forward to giving you my next update from an exciting day planned for tomorrow. xxx