Archive (44 life histories found)

At one stage I got involved in training some of the new young copilots. The majority were fine, dedicate to the job and eager to learn. But I came across one individual who was a devout Moslem. It was the time of Ramadan and all good Moslems were…

To say my grandparents were religious would be an understatement. My grandfather hailed from County Longford and was a builder. He was a member of the old IRA and had taken part in the Howth gun running and had been jailed in Frongoch Camp in…

All my life I have been involved with various organisations covering cultural, charitable and business.On the business side, I spent almost 20 years with Newry Chamber of Trade holding the posts of PRO and President. Imagine trying to sell Newry as…

Honesty, integrity, respect, reliability, good manners - these are the values that were instilled in me from an early age. First of all by my Parents, then at school and, as I grew up, by the teachings of the church. I have tried my best to live my…

Women are usually better at answering these questions than men, but I do remember a lot of the wedding day.At my mother's insistence, all the men were in morning suits, top hats, tails, gloves - the whole works. Although Joan and I resisted, we…

My background has been in every way a plus or me. I love being Irish. When I taught in England - before the troubles broke out - we Irish nuns were loved and respected. At a later stage when Muredach and I were at the University in Keele at the…

While the whole tenor of my upbringing, and my desire to show my love for God led me in a certain direction, my aunt Sr. Emilian, had a significant influence on me - I admired her greatly. My mother's affection for them and the way she put her…

I joined a religious congregation when I was 17 and my life conformed to its rules and regulations until I changed direction 16 years later. During that time, apart from when I was at university, my main occupation was teaching at second level. I…

After leaving school at sixteen there was a great sense of freedom. No more study or no more strict school uniform.At last having money to spend. Shopping and clothes.However there were many ups and downs. Crying, worrying, fretting, nobody…

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…