At the age of fourteen and the eldest of five children I was excited at starting my first job in Dromalane Mill.
It was January so I was well wrapped up in fur boots – which my Granny had bought for me – hat, scarf, and gloves which was provided by my Aunt Sue. The hat however I refused to wear. The 7.30am horn sounded from the mill as my Aunt Sue came to the door with me. A woman she knew and who worked in the mill was walking down
I settled in and enjoyed my duties; these involved writing and distributing tickets for the different yarns.
The craic was great and we had many laughs and a lot of my school friends worked alongside me; Carmel Mc Keown, Mary Mc Shane, Delores Fearon and several others. Then there were the boys!
Now you know why I refused to wear the hat.
You worked a week in hand; I received my first wage packet of