MEMORIES OF CHURCHTOWN

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Sheila Fitzpatrick

I always love to be here in Coolmore. I went to the old school, the community center now. I went to the present national school for six months. I had four teachers- Miss Weldon, Miss Hayes, Mr. And Mrs. Wall. I went to work in Cork when I left school. It is a much-changed place since then. My sisters Mary and Josie were there also. I came back after a while and worked at Burkes of Altamara in the big house. There were others working there as well.

Next I went to work at Burton Park for Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Purcell for six years. They were a very nice family to work for. Their children were very well-behaved, never any cheek of any kind. I next went to the''Old Walls'' in Liscarroll when the Murphy's owned it. I worked with Fr. O' Riordan for a while. I came back again to the Murphy's when they moved to Buttevant for twelve months.

Then I retired, I saw better days. I enjoy good health. Josie and I have good times; we go off on holidays together. I remember the long journey to school; we used to do some of our lessons going home from school. Our parents had a tough time long ago.

The gallon of tea in the meadow was the best treat on a hot summer day.
The simple life, the beauty of the area, the memories of the years gone by are the things that I cherish so much.