Interviewed by Leah Tuite

Leah: How long have you lived in the area?
Nuala: 63 years.

Leah: What’s a fond memory you have of living here?
Nuala: I was very happy with my husband and 3 children.

Leah: Have you seen this community come back from hard times before?
Nuala: Oh yes. It is hard to imagine how poor people were in the emergency years and then in the 50s. The food was rationed in the emergency and in the 50s no one had money, but they had each other, they helped each other. They had to do all the work by hand, no machinery in the home or on the farm. There was sadness with emigration. There was tuberculosis. This community came back from all of this.

Leah: What are some things that have helped you through lockdown and what brings you joy?
Nuala: My family helped me through the lockdown. They visited and they did the shopping for me. I kept in touch with friends and neighbours on the phone. I got the paper and did the crossword puzzle every evening and I read some books. The puzzle brings me great enjoyment.

Leah: What does community mean to you? What sort of things are you doing now to stay connected to your community and family?
Nuala: Community to me is friends and neighbours caring and looking out for each other. There is a great strong community spirit here. I am in the Dolman Club with my friends in Aughnacliffe. It is a great group of people. The leaders organise fun activities and outings for us.

Leah: What message do you want to share for yourself and this community in 10 years time?
Nuala: Everything passes- hard times and good times. Trust in God. Say your prayers. Every cloud has a silver lining. Keep active, keep positive, keep well and keep in touch with your friends. Be kind with yourself and everyone.

Pictured below is a wonderful poem that Leah wrote inspired by her interview with Nuala.