'My childhood memories are not all that happy; money always seemed to be a problem at home'

'My childhood memories are not all that happy; money always seemed to be a problem at home'

Avril Patterson recalls her childhood and remembers the happy times she had at her local church.

Avril Patterson

Trinity College Dublin

1935

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Avril Patterson

Childhood and Early Life

Life Story

Coleraine,Co. Derry

1930's

My life memories have not been ordinary memories. I was born on the 30th September 1931. My childhood memories are not all that happy,money always seemed to be a problem at home. In the 1930's there was no work. I often wondered how I was sent to dancing,elocution and all those beautiful photographs. Where did the money come from,during the war when there was little money for food?My happiest time was at Letterbreen,Enniskillen. I attended good schools,Moybane Country school,The Model in Enniskillen and then Enniskillen Collegiate. I also had happy times at the local church,being on the Senior and Junior choir Letterbreen Methodist Church also had a Junior and Senior Christian Endeavour. I loved all this.During my time at Letterbreen I had a great friend called Kay Finlay. Kay taught in a little country school called Corryglass. She was the head mistress and a great friend of my mothers. As well as this Kay taught me about good books,reading The Brontes etc. and embroidery and knitting.On school holidays she went home to her parents in Coleraine,her parents invited me to visit them. I of course accepted. I travelled from Enniskillen to Londonderry by train; where Kay then met me. This was a big achievement for me. I had never been to Portrush or Port Stewart which was all included in my holiday. I will never forget these memories.

Irish Research Council for Arts,Humanities & Social Sciences (IRCHSS)

Dr Kathleen McTiernan (Trinity College Dublin)

Dr Deirdre O'Donnell (Trinity College Dublin)