CHRISTY SARGENT, AGE 89, BLESSINGTON

This recording reveals a different life as it was lived in Blessington in the early part of the last century. Christy Sargent recalls beginning his working life at the age of 14, like most of his contemporaries, sifting sand for a builder in Crumlin. He regularly used the steam tram from Blessington to Terenure on a journey which cost him seven pence. Adults paid one shilling and tuppence at that time. His love for athletics and his passion for racing are described. He attended the Punchestown Races for 85 years, having originally been taken there as a child by his parents.