JOAN O’KELLY, AGE 77, RATHFARNHAM

Joan O’Kelly’s people, the Caseys, lived for many generations in the Rathfarnham area. In this interview Joan speaks about her childhood memories of the Eighth Baron, Lord Massy, who was evicted from his house and she remembers all the splendour and beauty of Killakee House before it was demolished. She then speaks about her own enterprises, first doing milk rounds during the Emergency Period, and running a small shop on the roadside leading to the bog. She also speaks about her own marriage, and the setting up of a sawmill, which has been an outstanding success over the years.