Margaret Thatcher's Irish roots lie in Co Kerry

Margaret Thatcher pictured with her husband Denis in 1999

By Majella O'Sullivan

An Irish community is considering including the birthplace of Margaret Thatcher's great grandmother in a local guidebook.

Bonane, Co Kerry, has a direct link to Mrs Thatcher, whose great grandmother, Catherine Sullivan, or Sellewin, was born in Drominassig in 1811.

She emigrated to England where she married Thomas Smith, a farm labourer.

Their daughter, Ellen, married shoemaker Benjamin Ebenezer Roberts and their son, Alfred, was Mrs Thatcher's father.

Bonane Community Council chairman Stephen O'Sullivan said the connection was part of the local heritage, and the community may wish to acknowledge it.