“My grandmother Kathleen Kennedy (née Hessman) and her eldest daughter, Kathleen (Lena). My grandmother was born in Ratoath, County Meath in 1900 and came to work in Dublin when she was still very young. She married William Kennedy in1928 in the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Ratoath, County Meath. My grandfather was an army cook and they lived at 8c block, in the Arbour Hill married quarters. They had two other children, Joan (my mother) and John. Lena was born in 1930, Joan in 1931 and John in 1933. All are now deceased. This photo brings back lovely memories of my grandmother. She always loved to dress up for occasions and this photo shows her in great style. My aunt’s dress is very pretty and a fitting accompaniment to my grandmother’s outfit. There is a determination in their step as they walk along O’Connell Bridge. Where were they were going on that grand day in 1939? For a stroll in the sunshine? Maybe they had visited the Grand Cinema, shown in the background?
‘My aunt left for Canada on the Aquitania, departing from Southampton on 25 October 1949, aged nineteen. Her occupation was listed as ‘machinist’. She settled in Halifax, Nova Scotia and married a naval officer, with whom she raised three children. Lena made several trips home to Ireland, but her heart was always in Canada. She died in 2016 and is buried in Canada.
‘When my sister and I were growing up in Dublin in the 1960s and 1970s, we loved to visit my grandmother and listen to stories about her childhood and her early days working in Dublin. Even today, walking around Dublin and crossing O’Connell Bridge brings back happy memories of the times we spent in her company. As adults, my sister and I were fortunate that she lived to be present at big moments in our lives.”
(1939)
Submitted by Catherine Maguire