Jessica O’Neill (b. 1959)

Jessica O’Neill grew up at No. 3, Mill View in the village of Clondalkin, in one of the cottages built for the workers at the nearby Clondalkin Paper Mills. The house was initially occupied by her grandparents, Nicholas and Alice Matthews. Her mother, Peg Murray, returned to the house with her baby daughter following the death of her husband. The backgrounds and the lives of Jessica’s grandparents are described and the neighbours in the other cottages are remembered. The interior of the cottage is described in detail, as are the furnishings and effects. Jessica explains that much of the furniture in the cottage was made by her aunt’s husband. Social life in Clondalkin in Jessica’s younger days is recalled, and she describes her happy memories of going to Clondalkin Cinema and Irish dancing. She also enjoyed the old tennis club and swimming pool which were located very close to Mill View. The local landmark, the Round Tower, was also situated close to her home. The care and attention lavished on the garden by her grandfather and her mother are recalled. The strike at the Paper Mills and her grandfather’s subsequent employment with Urneys’ Chocolates are discussed, as is her grandmother’s knitting which brought some welcome revenue to the family. Her mother did crochet work for designer Sybil Connolly. Jessica has happy memories of her own work at the Paper Mills for Mr. Campion, and she also recalls her redundancy and later getting her first car. Jessica warmly welcomes the move by South Co. Dublin Council to preserve her former home as part of the Heritage Plan.