First Day at School

This is a photo donated by Mary Meehan Fagan. It’s a photo of Mary aged four and her sister Lily who was three, originally from Foley St. It was their first day starting school in Rutland St. This photo is significant as their Mum wasn’t long dead when this photo was taken. Mary’s Mum died at age 34 leaving 10 children, the youngest was 6 months old and the eldest was 14.

Mary’s Dad worked down the shipyard on the Docks. He kept his family together whilst holding down a full time job. He never remarried and he was a devoted Dad who was always there for his children. He never drank and the people of the inner city, their neighbours,  helped a lot in making sure that the children weren’t put into a home or separated.

Everyone knew Mary’s Dad, despite the fact that he was a very shy man. He  worked in the ship yard, cleaning out boilers. He was also a union Representative who got a lot of work for inner city men. They all became great friends, even when they moved to St. Judes Garden’s in the inner city. Her Dad’s friends would come up every Saturday night to watch the football, have tea, batch bread and bacon ribs. He had a heart of gold and was full of wisdom, many people went to him with their problems. He was known as Mousie Meehan.  He was a hero to Mary and I’m sure a lot of people in his community. May he rest in peace.