Sarah Tracey (née Slattery) (b. 1916)

The Slattery family came from Harristown and Sarah Tracey’s grandfather was First Huntsman to Lord la Touche in Harristown House. Sarah has clear memories of her early days in Ballymore Eustace, the forge, the local bar and groceries, drapers, the post office and the thatched houses. She recounts the names of all the family owned businesses in the town. She recalls the activities of the Black and Tans in her native area, and also her own early days in employment as housekeeper for a Jewish family in Dublin. She remembers the advent of the creameries around the countryside, and the employment provided by the big estates. Sarah’s mother came originally from Carrickmacross and she brought with her the tradition of lace work, and sold her craftwork to the local people.