From: Gina Wells - Feb 2008
Words cannot express the thanks I feel for the
work you have been doing! With the posting of the streets of Carlow and
who was living there, my mother-in-law, Lil (Elizabeth) Nolan Wells
found her old home on Brewery Lane (No. 14), and has started to remember
some of the stuff she used to do when she was growing up. The picture of
the kids of Bridewell Lane has many of her relatives (Geoghegans and
Williamsons). Thank you, thank you , thank you!! Without the posting and the
remembering, I was at a stand still. It is frustrating because she is
ill and lives over 700 miles away from me, so it is hard to get
information. This has really helped!
Like today, she mentioned walking barefoot along the stone walls near
the river, and I asked her about music. I remember her telling me years
ago that she and her friends, walking home from school would dance on
the corners, she said that everyone on the lane played music. They
would have a grand old time, singing, playing, and dancing. There was
only one radio on the lane and people would bring their chairs and set
them up outside near the door so that they could listen. Her mum, during
the time before Christmas would go to Frank Slater's to pluck chickens
and turkeys to get some spending money for the holiday. She was a sickly
child and would get sent to her relatives (Nolan's) in the country to
recover.
Little bits like that. Are they interesting? I think so! I will
continue to ask her about life in Carlow in the 30s.....
Thanks again, Gina Wells
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