Liz Connolly (née Dooley) (b. 1926)

Liz Connolly grew up in Mountgael parish in a place called Ballycallan. She recalls the challenges faced by her family on the death of her father during the 1930s. At a very young age she left home to begin work in Kilkenny city, at St Canice’s Hospital where she was to meet her husband Gerard Connolly. In 1954 the couple moved to Dunbell in the parish of Clara where Gerard’s parents owned a public house and shop. She describes in detail the business there, the customers, the first brave lady to enter the pub and the long working hours. The couple had six sons, one of whom, Jim, is now running the business. She also recalls vivid memories of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in 1941, and the complete havoc this caused in rural areas.