English-born Kerry woman shipwrecked off Irish coast 50 years ago becomes citizen

Peel Whillock-O’Leary was the eldest of five daughters whose parents stopped in Cobh, Co Cork on a planned round-the-world sailing expedition in 1973

Wed, 21 Jun, 2023 - 13:09

Ellie O’Byrne

An English woman who was nine when she and her four siblings were shipwrecked off the Irish coast with their parents has gained Irish citizenship after 50 years.

Peel Whillock-O’Leary was the eldest of five daughters whose parents stopped in Cobh, Co Cork on a planned round-the-world sailing expedition in 1973. The Cork Examiner published a story at the time about the intrepid young couple, Paul and Pat Whillock, and their plans to circumnavigate the globe with their children.