My Father wrote an account of his time in the first world war. He didn't talk much to us of his experiences, but he retired from Guinness brewery with chest ailments, which we attributed to gas inhalation from his time there. He died at 82 years of…
Our house and the area was known by 'Little Britain', as the men my father included (were) all fought in the first world war. They were situated in Killester nr. Dublin. An inspector came around now and then to make sure they were kept in good…
My earliest memories are my brothers and sister and I sleeping in a bed which had to be taken down each night and made up in the sittingroom. It was like a large wardrobe Made by my father. We once found our pet dog missing, after a day wrapped…
I would have stayed on at school, but I had to leave even with a scholarship. As one of ten children we had to work to get money. But the memories of childhood are good. We lived in an area surrounded by fields as far as the eye could see. We…
Religion ruled. Practically everything was a sin. Sex was never mentioned even though there were unaccounted children in families, they were accepted by us children. One never questioned. The boys were almost aliens to us who attended all girls…
I went to school when I was 4 yrs old, to Clonduff P.E.S. There would have been 30 to 40 pupils and two teachers: one lady who taught junior pupils up to third class and a male teacher who taught 4th, 5th and 6th and 7th class for pupils who stayed…
I remember the day war was declared in September 1939. It was on a Sunday at 11 a.m. There had been very heavy rain causing the river Bann banks to overflow. The flood was rising in one of my father's fields. My father tried to get as much help as…
One memory I will never forget. I went to school when I was four years. The small children sat on a mat on the floor playing with blocks. I put one in my mouth behind my teeth. The teachers tried to get it out with no success. The principal came…
When I was small I loved going to my aunts. She had a lovely house. She always gave me lemonade and sweet biscuits. I watched her go for a brown teapot where she had lovely sweets. When I was older I loved Newcastle.
I didn't have many toys. I had a doll which had lovely hair I loved combing it and dressing it. We had a rocking horse which we had to share. We often had a row over who should have it. I loved playing with balls, rounders, football. Mini golf…
