It has been 26 years since Michael Reagan, the son of former US President Ronald Reagan, visited Ballyporeen, but when a trip to Ireland was on the cards, the small South Tipperary village was a top priority.

On Thursday last, Michael came to the village with his wife Colleen and daughter Ashley and a tour group of more than 50 others as they visited Templetenny for the first time - the burial place of the Reagan ancestors.

When Ronald Reagan visited Ballyporeen 29 years ago, it was the chairman of the community council, Martin Neville who welcomed him and so it was only fitting that Martin also welcomed Michael there on his second visit to the village in more than two decades.

Templetenny held the most resonance for the visitors, as Michael told The Avondhu he never thought he would be visiting the burial place of the Reagan ancestors, just like his father had 29 years ago.

"I really enjoy coming here. When my wife put this tour together, Ballyporeen had to be up there - it's such a pretty place. Ashley hasn't been here since she was four, so she really got to experience it now. One of the first things she said was that this is one of the prettiest places she's ever been and we all really appreciate the hospitality of the people here," Michael said.

Speaking at Templetenny, Martin Neville referred to the history of the burial place, as well as the connections to the Reagans. They lived in a small home, four fields over from Templetenny and now three generations later, the ancestors were visiting.

Outlining some of the family history, Tom Kenneally explained that Thomas and Margaret Murphy had six children, the youngest of whom, Michael, left for England and then America in the 1800's before marrying a Tipperary girl in 1858. It is this man who brought the Reagan line over to America and for Michael, this is even more poignant, as this was his namesake.

While in Ballyporeen, they also visited the Ronald Reagan Centre and the church. Mary, John and Nancy O'Farrell took the opportunity to recreate a photograph that was taken on Michael's last visit, when both Nancy O'Farrell and Ashley Reagan were just young girls.

Pat Russell who owns the shop also had a unique story to tell, as his mother Agnes Roddy was governess to Maureen and Michael when they were young and it was her first job in America.

Last Thursday was another momentous day for the people of Ballyporeen, as the connection to the Reagan family was again strengthened, giving the family another trove of memories and experiences to take back home to America.

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