1930 Memories

A Memory of Swatragh.

My mother spoke of visiting Swatragh when she was a child in the 1930s. Her Aunty lived there with her daughter Minnie who had Downs Syndrome. Minnie was an adult at that time and helped her mother round the very small property that they lived on. They kept chickens and Minnie was involved in collecting the eggs. They were Catholic and said the rosary every night. Minnie didn't really know the words but tried to participate as best she could. Her key phrase was the she was 'the best scholar in Swatragh school'. It's unlikely that she went to school but that claim was important to her. Her mother's fear was what would happen to Minnie if she died before her daughter. In fact, Minnie died shortly before her mother. I'm not sure what their surname was but possibly O'Brien, as that was my grandmother's maiden name. If anyone remembers them or has any information to share I would love to hear it.

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