Life in Ireland

Rosscahill

Helen grew up in Rosscahill, a small village in County Galway with a current population of roughly 300 people. Culturally, life in Rosscahill during the 40s and 50s was "very, very different" from Helen's later life in America. Everyone knew everyone there and whenever "there was a funeral, they would carry [the casket] by every house in the village."

Rosscahill, however, had little to offer in terms of work or schooling due to its isolation and the impacts of the Irish economy and population decline following the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922.

Map of Rosscahill circa 1840 (Galway County Library)

Helen and her siblings at her home in Rosscahill. When asked about this picture, Helen responded that there was favoritism in favor of her brothers because they were "up on the donkey while I was only on the ground!"

Family

Coming from a large Irish-Catholic family, Helen grew up on the O'Halloran's family farm, where they grew food and had many animals. Her mother was also a tailor for others in the village. For as long as she lived in Ireland, Helen was surrounded by many siblings, cousins, aunts, and uncles. In helping to care for her family, Helen gained many valuable skills, which she put to use in the States as a caregiver for many families' children and elderly.

The O'Halloran's of Rosscahill

Page updated

Report abuse