Vera Dennison (b. 1928)

Vera Donnelly grew up in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath where her family was involved in the bakery business. She recalls her schooling locally and at an Irish school in Spiddal, Co. Galway before she began her employment at the Post Office in Mullingar in 1946. She describes in detail her work as a post office telephonist from her earliest experiences onwards, and mention is made of subscribers, timekeeping, night sub-post offices, controlling the switchboard, booking calls and emergency calls. She also lists the places in which she worked, which included Drogheda, Sligo, Portlaoise, Abbeyleix, Navan and Kells. Due to the marriage bar which existed in Ireland at that time, Vera retired from her employment at the Post Office in Kells on her marriage to George Dennison.