French family shown first-hand the true meaning of Ireland’s ‘meitheal’

A FRENCH baker and his family have learned first-hand what the Irish word meitheal means. After a blaze destroyed the family’s 300-year-old thatched cottage last weekend, teams of neighbours and tradespeople have bombarded the site resulting in the foundations now in place in for a replacement dwelling.
Sourdough bread maker Jeremy Zanni, his wife Melanie and nine-year-old son Finn are stunned by the outpouring of local support and friendship.
So much has been offered and donated, from the roof and windows for the new cottage to food and temporary shelter – even the French consul arrived at the rural site in Fartown, a few miles outside of Glenamaddy, with food and offers of support.

Read the full story in this week's edition of The Tuam Herald