Chapter Eight: ‘1911: A Year for Weddings’
1910 had proved a memorable year and it finished off well with Paddy’s introduction to Mary’s father and the rest of the family, on the day of her eighteenth birthday.
Paddy was on his best behaviour and hit it off well with all Mary's family. Her father had a quiet word on the side with Paddy during the evening and seemed reassured after Paddy had confirmed his and Mary’s intentions to marry in the near future.
Mary's dad seemed doubly reassured once he had ascertained that his daughter was not pregnant, saying, “Her mother always wanted a white wedding for all her girls and would turn in her grave, God Bless her, if she thought her eldest would be walking down the aisle in a veil of shame.”
Paddy was on his best behaviour and hit it off well with all Mary's family. Her father had a quiet word on the side with Paddy during the evening and seemed reassured after Paddy had confirmed his and Mary’s intentions to marry in the near future.
Mary's dad seemed doubly reassured once he had ascertained that his daughter was not pregnant, saying, “Her mother always wanted a white wedding for all her girls and would turn in her grave, God Bless her, if she thought her eldest would be walking down the aisle in a veil of shame.”
Once Mary accepted that Nancy was perfectly happy to take on the role of married woman again to a husband with a ready-made family of ten children, she and Paddy were able to plan for a future together. Before he cycled back home to Kilkenny that night, Paddy gave Mary a symbolic birthday present.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been able to buy you a proper present before I get paid tomorrow, Mary,” he said, “but I’d like you to have this patch as a small token.”
Mary looked at her present from Paddy. It was a small patch with the inscription of the Gaelic League, a group which had been established to restore the Irish language throughout Ireland. Paddy’s mother, who'd been an Irish rebel all of her life, had put the patch around his neck the day he had been born. As Paddy grew from infancy to child, the patch was fastened to the inside of his pram and placed inside his cot as he slept.
When he grew older, Paddy never went anywhere without the patch inside his pocket. He considered the patch a talisman, which was one of the few things his mother had ever given him that he treasured. Had it been a holy patch, given by the pope himself, Paddy would not have prize it more highly than the political one his mother gave him at birth. Paddy's mother died during his early teens and her loss was followed shortly after by the death of his father from liver failure.
Mary recognised the importance of the patch in Paddy’s life and list of humble possessions and she sensed it was the most precious gift he could give her. She accepted it from Paddy gracefully and gently kissed him.
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“I’m sorry I haven’t been able to buy you a proper present before I get paid tomorrow, Mary,” he said, “but I’d like you to have this patch as a small token.”
Mary looked at her present from Paddy. It was a small patch with the inscription of the Gaelic League, a group which had been established to restore the Irish language throughout Ireland. Paddy’s mother, who'd been an Irish rebel all of her life, had put the patch around his neck the day he had been born. As Paddy grew from infancy to child, the patch was fastened to the inside of his pram and placed inside his cot as he slept.
When he grew older, Paddy never went anywhere without the patch inside his pocket. He considered the patch a talisman, which was one of the few things his mother had ever given him that he treasured. Had it been a holy patch, given by the pope himself, Paddy would not have prize it more highly than the political one his mother gave him at birth. Paddy's mother died during his early teens and her loss was followed shortly after by the death of his father from liver failure.
Mary recognised the importance of the patch in Paddy’s life and list of humble possessions and she sensed it was the most precious gift he could give her. She accepted it from Paddy gracefully and gently kissed him.
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In May of 1911, Mary’s father and Nancy got married. Nancy looked beautiful in her wedding dress and as her father walked up the aisle to stand alongside his bride to be, Mary could tell that her father had found a happiness in Nancy that neither he nor anyone else would have thought possible last year. Nancy looked every inch, a beautiful bride and even Mary's father managed to stand still for the obligatory wedding photo of the occasion, which would be nicely framed and given pride of place in their home.
Afterwards, the doors to the family home were opened wide for anyone in the village to enter and greet the new bride and have tea and cake. In the evening, the local public house was filled to the rafters with boisterous revellers who were more than happy to celebrate the good fortune of their friend and respected neighbour, Harry Lannon; a man whom, having found his one true love twice in a lifetime, married them both!
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After her father had married Nancy, Mary now had permission to move out. With the aid of her dad, and within three weeks of his marriage to Nancy, Mary acquired lodgings in a house in a more rural part of Waterford. She also obtained regular work in a local Creamery on the Kilmeaden Road, four miles away, towards the village of Portlaw.
Her new lodgings weren't in a conventional guest house, but rather in a private home on the outskirts of Waterford City. The vacancy had been recommended to her by her father's friend and Parish Priest in Clonmel, Father Mike Walsh.
Mary's new lodgings were with a 50-year-old widow called, Prudence Cummings. Seemingly, after speaking with Mary's dad, Father Mike said he knew a good Catholic woman in Waterford who might put up Mary. Within the week, the priest had written to Prudence about Mary's need for accommodation and provided the best of character references. Father Mike described Mary as being a decent young woman who attended confession and mass weekly and who'd been reared by sound Catholic parents. He also added that Mary's mother had died not long ago, leaving her disabled and bereaved husband with the responsibility for ten children, of whom Mary was the eldest. Having played the sympathy card, by informing Prudence of the tragic death of Mary's mother, Father Mike didn't want to risk backtracking by mentioning that Mary's dad had recently remarried; so he omitted to mention this small detail in his letter of appeal.
Half way into the following week, Prudence had replied, saying that 'as a favour to him', she would take in the girl. Mary was simply over the moon to have accommodation no more than a few miles away from her recently acquired work at the creamery in Kilmeaden.
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Mary's new lodgings were with a 50-year-old widow called, Prudence Cummings. Seemingly, after speaking with Mary's dad, Father Mike said he knew a good Catholic woman in Waterford who might put up Mary. Within the week, the priest had written to Prudence about Mary's need for accommodation and provided the best of character references. Father Mike described Mary as being a decent young woman who attended confession and mass weekly and who'd been reared by sound Catholic parents. He also added that Mary's mother had died not long ago, leaving her disabled and bereaved husband with the responsibility for ten children, of whom Mary was the eldest. Having played the sympathy card, by informing Prudence of the tragic death of Mary's mother, Father Mike didn't want to risk backtracking by mentioning that Mary's dad had recently remarried; so he omitted to mention this small detail in his letter of appeal.
Half way into the following week, Prudence had replied, saying that 'as a favour to him', she would take in the girl. Mary was simply over the moon to have accommodation no more than a few miles away from her recently acquired work at the creamery in Kilmeaden.
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Father Mike and Prudence Power (her maiden name) had history dating back over thirty years. Each had known the other since their school years, and they'd both reached their 16th year of life before they'd first played 'petty fingers' in the holy water font. Now, for those non-Irish who are unacquainted with the practice and symbolism of 'petty fingers', allow me to enlighten you.
In Roman Catholic Ireland, when a boy and a girl fancy each other and want to 'test out the waters', they do so, by first playing 'petty fingers' in the church font. One of the parties, either the boy or girl, engineers the situation where they both dip their fingers into the holy water font together upon leaving Sunday Mass. If one of the two isn't interested in walking out with the other, the uninterested party immediately withdraws their hand and quickly blesses themselves, before beating a hasty retreat. However, if they both like the idea of walking out together and want to 'go for it', then, they allow their fingers to dwindle a few seconds in the font and gently touch. This touching of fingers symbolises a meeting of minds.
In Roman Catholic Ireland, when a boy and a girl fancy each other and want to 'test out the waters', they do so, by first playing 'petty fingers' in the church font. One of the parties, either the boy or girl, engineers the situation where they both dip their fingers into the holy water font together upon leaving Sunday Mass. If one of the two isn't interested in walking out with the other, the uninterested party immediately withdraws their hand and quickly blesses themselves, before beating a hasty retreat. However, if they both like the idea of walking out together and want to 'go for it', then, they allow their fingers to dwindle a few seconds in the font and gently touch. This touching of fingers symbolises a meeting of minds.
While the custom of 'petty fingers' is frequently used by young courting couples, it has even been known for married men and women of the parish whose marriages were on the rocks, to 'test the water' in the church's font before embarking on an extra-marital affair with another member of the congregation they fancied. There have been many a sin contemplated in church water since fonts first came into being.
After Prudence Power and Mike Walsh had been walking out a few months and had progressed beyond holding hands to exchanging kisses and a light fondling over clothes, the time was fast approaching when each meeting between the couple held a high degree of sexual frisson and even frustration. Prudence was over the moon with her catch, and not wishing Mike to even consider transferring his affections to another young woman, she acted against her birth name and offered herself up to him one sunny Sunday afternoon while out walking the fields, hand in hand.
This first time for the pair of virgins was momentous and greatly influenced their subsequent actions in the courtship stakes. Surrendering up her virginity was the biggest of gestures that Prudence could make to show her love of Mike and her commitment to the progression of their courtship. As for Mike, he enjoyed his first time tremendously, at least whilst they were making love, but sadly, not afterwards! After the act, Mike Walsh was consumed with Catholic guilt which slowly started to eat away at his very soul.
After they had first made love, Prudence sensed a gradual change in Mike; a sort of cooling off during the weeks that followed. Prudence feared her catch wanted to wriggle away from any long term commitment, back towards his freedom. To ensure that Mike would become committed to her more than any other woman, Prudence offered herself to him again. This time, Mike Walsh resisted the temptation to sin outside the institution of holy marriage and told Prudence that though he wanted to, he wouldn't sin again in like manner, as she was worth much more than a roll in the grass on a summer's day.
After they had first made love, Prudence sensed a gradual change in Mike; a sort of cooling off during the weeks that followed. Prudence feared her catch wanted to wriggle away from any long term commitment, back towards his freedom. To ensure that Mike would become committed to her more than any other woman, Prudence offered herself to him again. This time, Mike Walsh resisted the temptation to sin outside the institution of holy marriage and told Prudence that though he wanted to, he wouldn't sin again in like manner, as she was worth much more than a roll in the grass on a summer's day.
Unsure of where their relationship now stood, and having had the offer of her body rejected, she also felt rejected. Prudence initially felt confused, angry and ashamed. Then, she also started to be consumed with guilt. She was obliged to admit to herself, that after the couple had made love, things between them had not been quite the same again. Not that Prudence had ever given up hope of one day marrying Mike; she hadn't. Indeed, in many ways, she now wanted to marry her sweetheart more than she'd ever wanted to. His strength to resist the temptation of the flesh a second time, after he'd clearly enjoyed the first experience, marked him out in Prudence's eyes as being different to other men. She saw him as being far more emotionally substantial; not an individual to take her for sex alone. His vow never again to make love outside marriage identified him in Prudence's eyes as being a good man; a respectful man who was worthy of being any woman's husband. Prudence was prepared to do whatever he wanted to keep his affection and love.
Then, to her shock and utter surprise, after the couple had been courting four months, Mike suddenly broke off their relationship. His explanation to the heartbroken Prudence surprised her in its justification, every bit as much as their separation did.
"It's not you, Prudence. Please believe me, it truly isn't!" he told her, adding,"And let me reassure you from the start, there isn't another woman on the scene. I can honestly say, Prudence, with hand on heart, that were I ever to walk down the aisle, it would be with someone, not just like you, but who was you! I have given the matter a lot of thought lately and I've decided that the only marriage contract that I will ever settle into is with the Catholic Church. I've decided to train to become a priest. I've already applied and I start my first four years' training at a minor seminar next month, followed by another four years at a major seminar where I will study Theology. I trust that you understand that I strongly feel a calling in that direction and it is my sincere hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me for having let you down."
As Mike spoke to Prudence, he was moved by emotion and was on the verge of tears. Prudence, on the other hand, wept profusely. Their relationship which had started in such hope, had ended in tears. That was the very last time they had set eyes on each other, thirty one years earlier.
"It's not you, Prudence. Please believe me, it truly isn't!" he told her, adding,"And let me reassure you from the start, there isn't another woman on the scene. I can honestly say, Prudence, with hand on heart, that were I ever to walk down the aisle, it would be with someone, not just like you, but who was you! I have given the matter a lot of thought lately and I've decided that the only marriage contract that I will ever settle into is with the Catholic Church. I've decided to train to become a priest. I've already applied and I start my first four years' training at a minor seminar next month, followed by another four years at a major seminar where I will study Theology. I trust that you understand that I strongly feel a calling in that direction and it is my sincere hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me for having let you down."
As Mike spoke to Prudence, he was moved by emotion and was on the verge of tears. Prudence, on the other hand, wept profusely. Their relationship which had started in such hope, had ended in tears. That was the very last time they had set eyes on each other, thirty one years earlier.
Six weeks after Mike Walsh had entered a seminar in Donegal to train for the priesthood, Prudence Power discovered she was pregnant with his child. At first, she worried considerably about becoming a single parent mum and all the shame that would bring with it, to both self and family.
After a while, Prudence saw the upside of being pregnant with Mike's child. Prudence wanted the child, and even if she couldn't have Mike, she wanted a part of him with her for the rest of her life. He was the only man she'd ever loved; the only one she ever would.
So Prudence did what many a woman who has found herself in similar circumstances for thousands of years have done. If the father who'd feathered her nest wasn't there to see the offspring born, then, like a cuckoo, Prudence decided to find another nest in which to give birth in.
So Prudence did what many a woman who has found herself in similar circumstances for thousands of years have done. If the father who'd feathered her nest wasn't there to see the offspring born, then, like a cuckoo, Prudence decided to find another nest in which to give birth in.
Henry Power was the man she eventually settled for. Despite being almost double her age, Henry's assets and position in the Waterford community suited Prudence to the ground. Henry was a butcher with two thriving shops in Waterford that ensured he would never want for anything. He also had his own three bed roomed property on the outskirts of Waterford City. This was a gate house built in 1680 that both his grandparents, and later parents, had lived in. After both of Henry's parents died within six months of each other, the family home was willed to their only son, along with £800. Unknown to Prudence, Henry had been born with a dodgy heart which could pack up anytime, and which would undoubtedly shorten his life span.
Prudence met Henry at the local barn dance and boldly asked him to take the floor with her. Henry, was forever the businessman who rarely had time for chasing women, as his shops kept him occupied until 9.00 pm most nights. Being shy by nature, he was highly flattered to have an attractive woman ask him onto the floor. Within two weeks of the barn dance, Prudence had lain with Henry, and shortly after, she announced her pregnancy to him. Fearing that he'd never marry and would progress through life without an heir to follow in his path, Henry was over the moon with the news and married Prudence soon after. Deep down, Henry had always hoped to have a son who might carry on in his butchers' shops after him.
After their marriage, both Prudence and her husband Henry waited in anticipation for the child to be born. Prudence had planned in advance to tell him that the child had been born ten weeks premature after she'd given birth. As fate would have it however, seven months into her pregnancy, Prudence miscarried.
She was grief stricken following the miscarriage and fell into a deep depression. She felt that God had punished her for having sex outside marriage, for keeping the natural father of her child in the dark, whilst deceiving the husband she'd married by letting him believe that he was the father! Henry also grieved the loss of his long for child and found it hard to muster up the energy to continue in his daily work.
Two months after the Prudence's miscarriage, the acute disappointment and the increased stress experienced by Henry, induced a massive heart attack; killing him on the spot. He collapsed to the floor suddenly after having lifted the heavy carcass of a pig to carve into sections.
Prudence found herself a wealthy widow, with a large three bed roomed house on the edge of Waterford and sufficient money to live off after she'd sold the two butchers shops as going concerns. If marriage had offered her a safety net when she was pregnant, her husband's early death afforded her a lifestyle thereafter in which she would never know want.
From that moment on, Prudence entered into a life of permanent penance and atonement for passed wrongs she had committed. She attended mass daily, received Holy Communion three times weekly and went to confession every Thursday evening. Given her newfound wealth, Prudence couldn't prevent herself from becoming the biggest snob in Waterford and was very selective in her choice of social contacts.
EVER Since her husband's death, Prudence Cummins had gradually grown into an obsessive and somewhat neurotic woman who never varied her routine in the slightest. Every single detail in her day was meticulously planned down to the last detail. Nothing was ever spontaneous with Prudence and it would have seemed unimaginable to any stranger meeting her for the first time, that she could have ever pleasingly entertained any man on the spur of a moment, let alone gratify her late husband’s spontaneous advances in the bedroom! Mary and Paddy had often surmised that if the poor man had been allowed ‘it’ (as Prudence called the act of sexual intercourse), it would have been contained to special occasions only, like his birthday and at Christmas! On all other occasions, Mary and Paddy speculated, she would have leave him to his own devices, so long as he never expected her to watch or take part in the proceedings!
Prudence Cummins religiously attended confession weekly. Apart from the sin of pride, she'd had nothing of substance to confess since the death of her husband. Naturally, all of her sins before she'd married and had become a respectable widow were conveniently forgotten in the confessional box.
Prudence Cummins religiously attended confession weekly. Apart from the sin of pride, she'd had nothing of substance to confess since the death of her husband. Naturally, all of her sins before she'd married and had become a respectable widow were conveniently forgotten in the confessional box.
Since Mike Walsh had left her for the priesthood, Prudence had become prude and proper in every way imaginable. She had only been prepared to take Mary in as a lodger, after ascertaining she was a good Catholic who attended confession, church and communion with the regularity of a nun; and because Father Mike Walsh had asked her to accommodate the young woman 'as a big favour to him.'
Prudence was still secretly in love with Father Mike, and the fact that he was now a priest, seemed to make their past relationship together, all the more special. She treasured the memory of their closest moment in the meadow field as her 'guilty secret', one she would take to the grave. She considered such a precious memory to be beyond sharing with any other, either outside or inside the confessional box.
Prudence was still secretly in love with Father Mike, and the fact that he was now a priest, seemed to make their past relationship together, all the more special. She treasured the memory of their closest moment in the meadow field as her 'guilty secret', one she would take to the grave. She considered such a precious memory to be beyond sharing with any other, either outside or inside the confessional box.
Prudence took her snobbery to extreme lengths, which even included her choice of church she attended. Indeed, despite there being a number of Catholic churches to attend in Waterford, and most of them closer than the one she did attend, Prudence Cummins would grace the steps of none other than ‘Waterford Cathedral, The Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity.’ Only the Cathedral was good enough for this high minded Catholic of lofty station; this holy woman who was patiently living out the remainder of her existence on earth before taking up her rightful place in heaven.
John Roberts had built the cathedral in 1793 and Prudence would never consider the dwelling being worthy of mention without reminding the listener that the building was ‘Ireland’s oldest Catholic Cathedral’.
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John Roberts had built the cathedral in 1793 and Prudence would never consider the dwelling being worthy of mention without reminding the listener that the building was ‘Ireland’s oldest Catholic Cathedral’.
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Mary's new lodgings in Waterford at the home of Prudence meant that meeting Paddy would now be much easier and could occur more often. No longer were the couple confined to meet every second Sunday afternoon only.
Paddy proved to be an arduous sweetheart and cycled across at least one evening during the week, as well as every Sunday, with the occasional Saturday thrown in. He found it much easier peddling a single bike across instead of the heavier tandem. While Mary wasn’t officially allowed to have men in her room, she regularly sneaked Paddy in every weekend after Prudence had gone out. Prudence Cummins always went out to play bridge in a Waterford Club for three hours every Sunday evening between 5.35 pm and 9.25 pm. She would leave the house at precisely 5.35 pm and return at exactly 9.25 pm. She was so meticulous in her punctuality that one could set the clock by almost every movement of her day.This period provided Paddy and Mary with a guaranteed three hour window of opportunity during Prudence's bridge evenings.
Paddy proved to be an arduous sweetheart and cycled across at least one evening during the week, as well as every Sunday, with the occasional Saturday thrown in. He found it much easier peddling a single bike across instead of the heavier tandem. While Mary wasn’t officially allowed to have men in her room, she regularly sneaked Paddy in every weekend after Prudence had gone out. Prudence Cummins always went out to play bridge in a Waterford Club for three hours every Sunday evening between 5.35 pm and 9.25 pm. She would leave the house at precisely 5.35 pm and return at exactly 9.25 pm. She was so meticulous in her punctuality that one could set the clock by almost every movement of her day.This period provided Paddy and Mary with a guaranteed three hour window of opportunity during Prudence's bridge evenings.
Over the next three months, on a Sunday evening, Paddy and Mary would sneak into her bedroom for a kiss and a cuddle after Prudence Cummins had gone off to her bridge club. While she agreed to share a bed where they'd kiss and play around, Mary got Paddy to consent that they would not make love again before their wedding night, as she wanted to walk down the aisle without a child inside her.
Deep down, Mary had always believed that a man and woman should not have sexual relations before their wedding night. She viewed the act as being there for the prime purpose to procreate life instead of solely to satisfy the body's lust. Poor Paddy never knew the pig in a poke he was taking on the day he married Mary Lannon.
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Deep down, Mary had always believed that a man and woman should not have sexual relations before their wedding night. She viewed the act as being there for the prime purpose to procreate life instead of solely to satisfy the body's lust. Poor Paddy never knew the pig in a poke he was taking on the day he married Mary Lannon.
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Paddy and Mary had put as much money away as they possibly could to save for their wedding. They planned to marry on Mary’s nineteenth birthday, which fell on Friday, December 8th, 1911.
The couple knew that they were not in the market to own their own house; such were not the dreams of ordinary folk at the starting out of married life. The best they could ever hope for was to find a rented property without a leaking roof and with an understanding property owner.
Over the coming months, Mary and Paddy used their spare time looking for rented properties around the Waterford and Kilmeaden area. They eventually heard of a terraced cottage with two bedrooms in a village three miles farther on from Kilmeaden where Mary worked. The village was Portlaw and the elected cottage was due to become vacant to rent in late November when the present occupiers moved out to live and work in Connemara.
The following week, Mary and Paddy travelled into Portlaw to check out the cottage. While there, Paddy looked up the proprietor to 14, William Street as well as arrange a viewing of the property with Mary.
When Mary first saw the property from its front, it looked nice and homely, but it was only once the couple had viewed it from the rear, that they each fell in love with it.The cottage had a thatched roofed and each householder had a large garden to its rear where ample potatoes and other vegetables could be grown. In fact, all of the neighbourly gossip took place out back and had one not known, it would have been so easy to think oneself being transported back in time to the previous century, simply by standing outside the back door instead of the front.
The couple knew that they were not in the market to own their own house; such were not the dreams of ordinary folk at the starting out of married life. The best they could ever hope for was to find a rented property without a leaking roof and with an understanding property owner.
Over the coming months, Mary and Paddy used their spare time looking for rented properties around the Waterford and Kilmeaden area. They eventually heard of a terraced cottage with two bedrooms in a village three miles farther on from Kilmeaden where Mary worked. The village was Portlaw and the elected cottage was due to become vacant to rent in late November when the present occupiers moved out to live and work in Connemara.
The following week, Mary and Paddy travelled into Portlaw to check out the cottage. While there, Paddy looked up the proprietor to 14, William Street as well as arrange a viewing of the property with Mary.
When Mary first saw the property from its front, it looked nice and homely, but it was only once the couple had viewed it from the rear, that they each fell in love with it.The cottage had a thatched roofed and each householder had a large garden to its rear where ample potatoes and other vegetables could be grown. In fact, all of the neighbourly gossip took place out back and had one not known, it would have been so easy to think oneself being transported back in time to the previous century, simply by standing outside the back door instead of the front.
As Paddy sought out the proprietor of the cottage, Mary remained outside it for his return, as it was still regarded as being unseemly for the women folk to do business with their men folk, especially unmarried ones!
Paddy found the property owner in the local pub where he usually spent all Sunday between noon and closing time, supping pint after pint of Guinness. After a few pints and a lengthy chat, Paddy and the owner came to a gentleman’s agreement and sealed the paperless contract with the exchange of spitted palms. An agreed rent was established between the two men, with the first week’s rent to fall due on the 26th November.
Paddy and Mary looked the property over and satisfied themselves it was suitable to start a family, besides being within their means to rent.
Paddy found the property owner in the local pub where he usually spent all Sunday between noon and closing time, supping pint after pint of Guinness. After a few pints and a lengthy chat, Paddy and the owner came to a gentleman’s agreement and sealed the paperless contract with the exchange of spitted palms. An agreed rent was established between the two men, with the first week’s rent to fall due on the 26th November.
Paddy and Mary looked the property over and satisfied themselves it was suitable to start a family, besides being within their means to rent.
On December 8th, Paddy and Mary got married in the Catholic Church in Portlaw. Having starting their married life in the Parish of Portlaw, they only considered it fitting that they should get married there, have their first child baptised there, make their children’s First Holy Communion there and also have them confirmed there.
Mary looked lovely at the wedding, even though the couple had not enough money to buy a traditional bridal dress. Her dress of white satin had been made by a ‘seamstress’ in Clonmel; or to be more precise, a thirty-year-old woman with sewing skills who worked in the post office there, but who'd had a flare for fashion since childhood and had always dreamed of becoming a seamstress. Mary was also honoured to have her deceased mother's wedding veil to wear with her dress and it brought tears to her father's eyes to see her walk down the aisle with it on her head.
Despite their house being sparse in furniture, it held the essentials of table, chairs, bed and crockery. Paddy and Mary were over the moon to be starting a life together, which no longer required them hiding and skulking whenever they wanted to be alone. The neighbours in Portlaw welcomed the couple, and their next door neighbour, Winnie Morgan, went out of her way and insisted that she come and make them their first morning breakfast after their marriage night in bed. "Just leave the latch off, and don't you two be worrying your heads off now, because I'll not be 'round until 11.00 am, and I'll make enough noise in the kitchen to remind you I'm here, so as not to cause any embarrassment."
Paddy got himself a job in the ‘Portlaw Spinning Company’ as a general maintenance man and though the money was minimal, unless overtime hours were available, the job was relatively easy and overall, stress free. Besides, unless one wanted to travel to Waterford City or beyond, if you worked inside the boundary of Portlaw, you worked in the 'Portlaw Spinning Company' or not at all!
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Their first two years of marriage were not easy times for Paddy to readjust to, but for Mary, they were undoubtedly the happiest two years she had yet known. Love making to Paddy was synonymous with the act of baby making to Mary, and the frequency of thrice weekly was all she could bring her body to bear. Had it not been for the fact that in order to make a baby, one first had to 'do it' until one conceived, Mary would have been adequately satisfied with a cuddle only. Any spare money the couple managed to put aside would be saved in a box in their bedroom for their first-born.
Mary should now have been approaching the zenith of her dreams, the starting of her very own family, but instead, she was to suffer month after month of bitter disappointment.
For over three years, Mary and Paddy tried to produce a child. Each month, Mary continued to see signs of her usual menstrual period as if its presence represented a symbolic sign of punishment from God for having copulated before her marriage! She saw her own spilled blood as just one more nail in her cross! She felt that she was being punished from on high; cast out from heaven with plucked wings, as Lucifer had been thrown out after he'd rebelled against God's laws!
For over three years, Mary and Paddy tried to produce a child. Each month, Mary continued to see signs of her usual menstrual period as if its presence represented a symbolic sign of punishment from God for having copulated before her marriage! She saw her own spilled blood as just one more nail in her cross! She felt that she was being punished from on high; cast out from heaven with plucked wings, as Lucifer had been thrown out after he'd rebelled against God's laws!
Paddy was the more patient and reassuring of the two marriage partners and used to say, “Don’t worry, Mary. The babies shall come when they come; just you be ready for them, girl!” He even fashioned a crib for their first child from some old planks of wood he'd managed to get hold of. At first, Mary looked on the crib with great expectation, but as the years passed and she still hadn't conceived, it pained her to look upon the cot's continued emptiness.
Mary could not wait a moment longer. She had waited all of her life to give birth to a baby and had even given her body three times weekly to Paddy during their first three years of their marriage in order to have a child of her own.
Mary could not wait a moment longer. She had waited all of her life to give birth to a baby and had even given her body three times weekly to Paddy during their first three years of their marriage in order to have a child of her own.
