Brenda McCarthy: Schooldays; Communion; Dating

Brenda McCarthy: Schooldays; Communion; Dating

Life History;

Brenda (b. 1963), had 5 sisters and 6 brothers; she was the youngest child in her family. Her mother was from Boyce’s Street. Her father was from near Macroom, and his family was well-off. She always lived on the Northside.
She recalls her schooldays. She believes that children from poorer backgrounds were bullied by teachers.
She talks about her Communion and Confirmation; dating and the pros and cons of marriage and having children.

31 March 1998

CFP_SR00127_mccarthy_1998

Cork; Ireland: 1960s-1970s

Published Material:

Hunter, Stephen (1999), Life Journeys: Living Folklore in Ireland Today, Cork: The Northside Folklore Project.

Cork Folklore Project Audio Archive

Cork Folklore Project

English

Sound

.wav

46min 41sec

NCE Ltd, Sunbeam Industrial Estate, Mallow Road, Cork

Cassette

BM: I remember certain teachers that I had a grá for, and I remember certain teachers that I was petrified of. I think -- and teachers too I think that when we were -- even though it wasn’t too long ago, twenty years ago when we were growing up, they had this-- they had this-- there was no dividing their feelings. They either liked you or they didn’t. There was no in-between. And I don’t think that they gave people or children that time, the understanding and benefit of the doubt like they do today. I really don’t think they made the effort and maybe they didn’t like the look of you or-- if you were-- like there were other people less more fortunate than I was. Kind of grubby or untidy, or if they came from a very rundown background very poor. I think they were actually bullied more than the rest. That always stuck, I remember one girl in my class and they had nothing, absolutely nothing. Now at the time with me, nothing to you anyway but as you grew up you often start to think, I mean, think that, that she, how she ever went there I’ll never know. Putting the dunce’s hat on her head, in the middle of the classroom and making her kneel down. I can remember the nun doing that to her.