Mary Farrell (aged 90)

Local historian Tommy Kirwan introduced me to Mary Farrell at her home, situated on a narrow boreen, which runs through an old estate. Mary’s recording begins with her memories of her upbringing in the early days of the last century in Ballinkellan. Her father was a sheep herder and had very little money. She moved to Baltinglass, where she stayed with her grandmother and she recalls stealing turnips and eating them on her way to school. She later found a position working as a cook for the local landlord, Samuel Cope, in Castlemore, and describes her work there. Finally, she recalls the division of the estate by the Land Commission, following from which her father was allocated six acres.