How to discover one's Irish roots while learning not to accept mystery pills from long-lost relatives.

As a shitty bonus, cancer's long killing march through my family.

If you believe in the importance of free speech, subscribe to support uncensored, fearless writing—the more people who pay, the more time I can devote to this. Free speech matters. I am a university professor suspended because of a free speech issue, so I am not speaking from the bleachers. The button below takes you to that story if you like.

Please subscribe and get at least three pieces /essays per week with open comments. It’s $5 per month and less than $USD 4. I know everyone says hey, it’s just a cup of coffee (with me, not per day but just one per month), but if you’re like me, you go, “Hey, I only want so many cups of coffee!” I get it. I don’t subscribe to many here because I can’t afford it.

But I only ask that when you choose your coffee, please choose mine. Cheers.

___________________________________

Generally, diarrhoea is not a good conversation starter.

But it is involved in my trip to County Donegal and the village of Kerrykeel, where I discovered my Irish roots,…