JIMMY SHERIDAN, KELLS, BORN 1946

Jimmy Sheridan was one of the final employees at Navan Carpets when it closed in 2003. He started work there in 1967. Jimmy grew up in Moynalty and he recalls the place and its people. In 1965 he emigrated to England for work and remained there for a short time. Jimmy outlines his first job as bank boy and his progression to weaver. He discusses the workers’ wages, the change in management when Youghal Carpets took over the business of Navan Carpets and the initial insecurity this engendered among the workforce. He recalls the personalities, the designers and the customers, and explains the benefits to Navan town of the factory down through the decades. He regrets the fact that no plaque or monument exists to indicate where the great enterprise once thrived.