Archive (1372 life histories found)

There was, as in other walks of life a rigid class system in catering. Managers were at the top of the tree, Chefs were often next and waiters were lower down. We were paid much better than waiters but they had the advantage of the gratuities or…

Each year there was a grand ball for the Jewish community in Dublin. This ball was traditionally held in the Shelbourne. In advance of the ball the Rabbi called to the kitchen to ensure that all preparations for the meal were Kosher. He selected…

The functions Head Waiter was a Kerryman named Claude Spillane, Claude did not soil his hands by actually serving meals himself. His job was to supervise the waiting staff and ensure that customers were properly provided for. He was a tall man and as…

At the end of two years in Cathal Brugha Street I graduated and found myself in search of a job. My first job was in the Gresham Hotel but I did not stay long. We graduates were not popular as we were considered to be third years commis or…

Dating was a much more innocent affair in those days. No 'Good' girl would allow even the most chaste kiss on a first date and sex, a word which was not allowed in decent company, was reserved for after marriage. All the expenses in relation to the…

Arriving in Cathal Brugha Street for the first time we came into close contact with girls who were not related to us or from our immediate neighbourhood. The effect was astonishing. There was one of the cooks who hailed from the Aran Islands and as…

After finishing in North Strand School I went to St Mary's College of Domestic Science in Cathal Brugha Street. I have no memory as to what drew me to this decision. I had no family connections with catering and no experience of it before enrolling.…

The metalwork teacher at one point told me that I should not plan on making my living out of metalwork. It's ironic that for many years in later life I made a good living out of making, selling and designing aluminium window systems. I often wonder…

Around this time a new street game gained popularity. Somebody discovered that if you mixed Sodium Chloride (at that time a common weed killer) and sugar and placed it in a lead pipe with both ends hammered shut, then built a small fire around it you…

My second experience in the canal was not so much a swim as a wading exercise. I was in North Strand Technical School. The journey from my house to the school took me along the banks of the canal from Jones Road to North Strand. One day in early…