-Fiona Shaw
Peggy Foley only left her Parrish a few times in her
life. There was an occasional trip into
Kenmare for fair day, and once, when she was much older, she attended the
wedding of a niece in Cork City. This was the most momentous outing for Peggy,
especially since she had the opportunity to travel by train. The only means of transport available Peggy was a
horse and trap, but the condition of the roads would often interfere with the
wheels of the trap which were on the verge of breaking down from the constant rolling through the deep pot holes that littered the dirt and gravel lanes. The weight of
the trap was also a hindrance, as it carried a family of 12 who relied on an
old, skewbald, cob to pull them weekly to Mass through all kinds of road
conditions. Muddy roads would cause the
old mare to lurch forward, and the older boys would be expected to dismount the
trap and push. By the time they reached
Mass, their Sunday clothes would be splatted with mud, but no one took any
notice, as most families made the same journey. The year was 1955.
Peggy, who had never married, lived with her sister Hannah, Hannah's husband Ger, and their 9 children in a small farm house which during the winter
months seemed out of reach. Heavy rains
would cause the river to swell, and one would not dare to attempt to cross the
raging water over the stepping stones.
The lane would be impassable for the trap, and the Cob had the winter
off. Peggy spent her time looking after
her sister’s children, and as the winter months continued on, she would devise
games for the them to play to relieve their boredom.
Although she was 30, Peggy was sometimes like a child herself and her sister worried that Peggy’s naivety may lead her to trouble. It was well recognized in the family that Peggy was a little slow to understand things, but it was never discussed among the family members. It was an unspoken rule that every member of the family should mind her to keep her out of trouble and harm. Peggy had little experience of the world, and Hannah feared that her younger sister was a little too trusting of people. She felt it was her duty to protect Peggy from the local bachelor farmers who may take advantage of her innocence.
Peggy's world only extended to the boarders of her Parrish, and during the balmy days of summer, she would often walk the stony, fields, making observations of the various kinds of birds, animals, and foliage in her surroundings. If anyone was looking for her, they knew they would most likely find her perched on a rock in the high field, the rock the family had named, "Peggy's Rock". She was happy in herself and her world.
While Peggy seemed to have no worries, Hannah did worry about what would become of Peggy's future. There were many years in age difference between the two sisters, and it wouldn't be long before the children will have married or emigrated. How would Hannah care for Peggy in her old age?
Brendan Hallissey was a recent widower who lived alone at his small farm in the valley. He and his late wife Mary, never had children, and Hannah knew Brendan needed help in maintaining the household. Brendan was a quiet, older gentleman who tended to his own business, and did not have an unkind word for anyone. Hannah saw this as a great attribute as she would not wish for Peggy to spend her life with anyone who may be unkind to her. She would have the security of her own cottage, someone to look after her, and she would also be closer to the village. Hannah made a firm decision about this situation and discussed it with Ger, who agreed. That evening, Ger found the half bottle of whisky which was at the very back of the cupboard and headed down the hill to visit Brendan. Later on that night, as Peggy, who knew nothing of this plan slept, an agreement affecting her life as she knew it was made between Ger and Brendan. Peggy and Brendan were married two weeks later.
The years rolled on. Hannah and Ger had long since passed away, and the eldest son, Tadhg, inherited the farm. Two of the girls had emigrated to New York during the recession in the early 80's, and the rest were now married with their own families. Brendan had only passed away a couple of years before, and his nephew, who now ran the farm, was kind enough to allow Peggy to stay in the cottage. What was once only a lane fit for no more than a horse and trap, was now the main road to the village. Peggy enjoyed watching the cars pass back and fourth, but sometimes life in the valley felt so far removed from her days on the mountain. The cottage had been modernized with plumbing and electricity in the late 70's, but Peggy did not have much faith in the electric cooker, which sat in the corner of the kitchen with a light dust from the turf fire covering it. She thought the oven was the ideal place to keep bread, cakes and biscuits since she preferred to cook over the open fire.
I was first introduced to Peggy after I was assigned as her home help by Nurse Healy. It was a crisp, autumn day in October, and as Nurse Healy and I pushed open the front gate, I could smell a mix of smoke from the turf fire, and cooking chicken. The front door of the cottage was wide open, and Peggy excitedly welcomed us in. It was then, I stepped into another time. The iron crane held the weight of a black pot over the fire, in which the chicken was stewing. Peggy immediately told us to sit at the table and offered us a cup of tea. I was amazed that although she looked quite elderly, she seemed to have a lot of energy. She chatted about the weather as she picked up an old kettle which sat inside the hearth of the fire. Peggy made certain there was always boiling water for pots of tea which she made only from loose tea. Peggy couldn't understand the fuss around tea bags. Nurse Healy observed that new linoleum had lain on the floor, which to me looked very unlevel and had the appearance of hills and valleys. She told us that Brendan's nephew, Paudie, had put it there for her. The lino, as it turned out, had been lain directly onto a dirt floor.
Although Peggy had little, she had enough and was very happy with her life. My assignment as her home help meant that I went to her three mornings a week to make sure she keeping well, having hot meals, and to help her with any household tasks she might not be able to do any more. The truth was, she needed little help, but loved the company. She told stories about her days on the mountain, and how she missed going to "Peggy's Rock". Her legs would not allow her to make that climb anymore. Her relations had long grown bored of her stories, but for me, each visit to her was like stepping into the past. Those mornings were spent drinking tea while Peggy's dinner cooked over the fire suspended by an iron crane.
The year was 2005.
Although she was 30, Peggy was sometimes like a child herself and her sister worried that Peggy’s naivety may lead her to trouble. It was well recognized in the family that Peggy was a little slow to understand things, but it was never discussed among the family members. It was an unspoken rule that every member of the family should mind her to keep her out of trouble and harm. Peggy had little experience of the world, and Hannah feared that her younger sister was a little too trusting of people. She felt it was her duty to protect Peggy from the local bachelor farmers who may take advantage of her innocence.
Peggy's world only extended to the boarders of her Parrish, and during the balmy days of summer, she would often walk the stony, fields, making observations of the various kinds of birds, animals, and foliage in her surroundings. If anyone was looking for her, they knew they would most likely find her perched on a rock in the high field, the rock the family had named, "Peggy's Rock". She was happy in herself and her world.
While Peggy seemed to have no worries, Hannah did worry about what would become of Peggy's future. There were many years in age difference between the two sisters, and it wouldn't be long before the children will have married or emigrated. How would Hannah care for Peggy in her old age?
Brendan Hallissey was a recent widower who lived alone at his small farm in the valley. He and his late wife Mary, never had children, and Hannah knew Brendan needed help in maintaining the household. Brendan was a quiet, older gentleman who tended to his own business, and did not have an unkind word for anyone. Hannah saw this as a great attribute as she would not wish for Peggy to spend her life with anyone who may be unkind to her. She would have the security of her own cottage, someone to look after her, and she would also be closer to the village. Hannah made a firm decision about this situation and discussed it with Ger, who agreed. That evening, Ger found the half bottle of whisky which was at the very back of the cupboard and headed down the hill to visit Brendan. Later on that night, as Peggy, who knew nothing of this plan slept, an agreement affecting her life as she knew it was made between Ger and Brendan. Peggy and Brendan were married two weeks later.
The years rolled on. Hannah and Ger had long since passed away, and the eldest son, Tadhg, inherited the farm. Two of the girls had emigrated to New York during the recession in the early 80's, and the rest were now married with their own families. Brendan had only passed away a couple of years before, and his nephew, who now ran the farm, was kind enough to allow Peggy to stay in the cottage. What was once only a lane fit for no more than a horse and trap, was now the main road to the village. Peggy enjoyed watching the cars pass back and fourth, but sometimes life in the valley felt so far removed from her days on the mountain. The cottage had been modernized with plumbing and electricity in the late 70's, but Peggy did not have much faith in the electric cooker, which sat in the corner of the kitchen with a light dust from the turf fire covering it. She thought the oven was the ideal place to keep bread, cakes and biscuits since she preferred to cook over the open fire.
I was first introduced to Peggy after I was assigned as her home help by Nurse Healy. It was a crisp, autumn day in October, and as Nurse Healy and I pushed open the front gate, I could smell a mix of smoke from the turf fire, and cooking chicken. The front door of the cottage was wide open, and Peggy excitedly welcomed us in. It was then, I stepped into another time. The iron crane held the weight of a black pot over the fire, in which the chicken was stewing. Peggy immediately told us to sit at the table and offered us a cup of tea. I was amazed that although she looked quite elderly, she seemed to have a lot of energy. She chatted about the weather as she picked up an old kettle which sat inside the hearth of the fire. Peggy made certain there was always boiling water for pots of tea which she made only from loose tea. Peggy couldn't understand the fuss around tea bags. Nurse Healy observed that new linoleum had lain on the floor, which to me looked very unlevel and had the appearance of hills and valleys. She told us that Brendan's nephew, Paudie, had put it there for her. The lino, as it turned out, had been lain directly onto a dirt floor.
Although Peggy had little, she had enough and was very happy with her life. My assignment as her home help meant that I went to her three mornings a week to make sure she keeping well, having hot meals, and to help her with any household tasks she might not be able to do any more. The truth was, she needed little help, but loved the company. She told stories about her days on the mountain, and how she missed going to "Peggy's Rock". Her legs would not allow her to make that climb anymore. Her relations had long grown bored of her stories, but for me, each visit to her was like stepping into the past. Those mornings were spent drinking tea while Peggy's dinner cooked over the fire suspended by an iron crane.
The year was 2005.
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