Happy Days

By Bridie Collins

‘I was born Bridie O’Dea, now (Collins), on the 4^th of January 1923 in Donogrogue. I remember my mother and father, who died quite young, my grandparents, and all my neighbours – Mangans, Lorigans, McInerneys and Madigans with great fondness.

My old house was the usual two-bedroomed long, white-washed thatched house with high rafters which had another purpose, the salted bacon was hung on crooks from them. In the large kitchen, with its welcoming open hearth fire over which hung a crane with black pots and kettles hanging to feed the families and sometimes animals- stirrabout for the pigs. I have fond memories of the bread in the oven with coals underneath and perhaps a griddle with the scones baking in the covered oven, and often times with the waft of a roasting goose.

The old folk, women and visitors too enjoyed smoking the pipe in the corner when they came on their Cuaird and on occasions the parlour was used to share the news of the time.

I had two sisters, Maureen and Nora, and four brothers Sonny, John, Tom and Paddy.  We all attended Killimer National School, where we were taught by Mr Neenan and Miss O’Dea.

My brother, John, took the milk to Derrylough creamery in the pony and car. He was often out early and late with John Malone, Burrane for salmon fishing, which were put in special boxes and brought to the station.

My brothers Tom, Sonny and our neighbour Jack O’Dea were good oarsmen, often rowing to Glin and Tarbert and participated in the currach races there.’

School Life

Bridie reflected on those days how their lunch consisted of brown bread and a bottle of milk – no fancy lunch boxes or flasks back then, just wrapped in a piece of paper.  They too would be in big trouble if homework was not completed.  Their only tools were pencil and paper and handed down books. Her family had to supply their share of turf for the open fire in the school.

Sacraments

Going into the dark Confession box for the first time was daunting, while she remembers going to mass across the fields.   For her First Communion, she remembers the lovely white dress of Imy O’Dea who was the envy of all. The children were publicly examined in the church for confirmation before they were allowed to receive the sacrament.

Christmas

‘Like every other house in the area, the house was scrubbed to get ready for Christmas, even the súgán chairs did not escape, the porter cake was made, goose prepared and of course, the big candle rested in a turnip with a hole hewn out. They all went to midnight mass and their treats were humble like sweets and apples.’

Easter

‘I recall the black fast during lent when you had black tea; the Wednesday and Friday fast and of course you had three masses for Easter. As children we loved to visit their neighbour Kate Mangan on the day the bread van called, as we were sure to get bread and cakes there, so too did the McInerneys, Madigans and Lorigans.’

Working and Social Life

The few years spent at the Convent in Kilrush were almost a distant memory now but not so the days of toil and hard work which were part and parcel of life back then for her and many like her. Bridie being an able and willing worker was shortly called to the residence of a relative who was in need of home help. This she undertook for some time.

Bridie worked hard no doubt she recalled trips to the bog in Donail and lighting the fire where a Meitheil (A group of neighbouring farmers would come together to help one another to carry out a big farming task) had to be fed. Her chores included feeding calves, pigs and hand milking cows, a tough task in the Summer time with the heat from the cows.  She made butter and sold it, she reared chickens and turkeys for the market. The art of housekeeping, making bread, jam and needlework were part and parcel of life in Donogrogue and at her aunts in Burrane.

‘The weekly Legion of Mary meeting in Killimer School was a godsend, myself, Nellie Madigan and Mai Lorigan would walk down, prayers would be said, good works reported and tasks for the new week laid out which often included visiting the elderly.

I too like all young people of the time enjoyed my free time; I loved dancing, the skill of set dancing was learned at my neighbours, the Madigans, who had a gramophone after mass on a Sunday. The wren dance at Marty O’Connell’s was always a night to remember and at Maggie Walsh’s. Of course the dances at Killimer School were more regular and music was supplied by the Scanlon Brothers, John Pyne and others. Trips to the local shops, Neenan papers, Culligans(Hogans), the Forge, and the Post Office were an excuse for a break. Not forgetting Rochford’s Shore or as far as Vinegar Hill were part and parcel of my young carefree days. I enjoyed going to the trade’s people, dressmakers – Nellie Daly or Jenny Burke (Martin), the tailor McMahon, and to the forge to shoe the ass/pony/horse and to be fascinated by the size of the fire.’

Other Memories

Bridie recalled stories of the War of Independence and the days of the Ration Book, which you had to have to buy tea, sugar, flour, and of course being able to buy the same goods on the black market.

Having lived under the shadow of Donogrogue Castle, they would be hoping for ghost stories to liven up their sometime dull days.

The 29^th of June was a special when people, from far and wide, came to St Senan’s Well, Molougha doing the rounds, and even at times, falling into the drains. One thing is certain, Bridie believed that their faith on the visit sustained them as they were sure to return there on the annual pilgrimage.

Her marriage to Johnny Collins, Knockerra, and her life thereafter was the best thing that happened for her.  She cared for her father- in- law Jimmy Collins as well as their nine children.  She was kept busy but fulfilled and happy.

Bridie, like many more of our parishioners, was very generous in sharing her thoughts and her collection of extracts from the Clare Champion, which she had collected over the last number of years showing her great interest in the progress of our people and parish and was very useful to us.