More than a hundred years of Nora’s memories recorded by Cuimhneamh

DARRAGH native and Killanena resident Nora Moroney (nee Lynch) passed away this week aged 102.
The youngest of 13 children, Nora grew up at a time when running water and electricity were beyond comprehension so naturally, in her 102 years, she experienced a lot of change.
Born in Darragh on June 1, 1909, Nora worked in the Claremont Hotel, Lahinch before working as a housekeeper for the parish priest in Killanena in East Clare at the age of 28.
Nora eventually settled down in Killanena having met her late husband, Thomas Moroney, and the couple had five children – Patrick, Christina, Evelyn, Ann and John.
Having been featured in The Clare Champion on the occasion of her 100th birthday, Nora was remembered as someone who moved with the changing times. However, one thing she never quite had time for was driving. She cycled everywhere and did so up until she was 70.
She never held a cheque book or owned a credit card, despite her love of shopping. She also stayed true to her confirmation pledge and never drank a drop of alcohol in her 102 years.
She loved travelling and enjoyed visiting her two daughters in New York.
She celebrated her 100th year in 2009 with all her family, friends and with a large cake at the West County Hotel, Ennis. At the event, Nora recited word for word a poem as gaeilge she had learned in school. It was no trouble for her to translate the same poem into English so everyone could appreciate it, much to the delight of her attentive audience.
Nora was visited in the last year by members of Cuimhneamh an Chláir, who recorded some of her memories for posterity.
In the interview, Nora spoke of growing up in Lismil Bride, Darragh going to Caherea National School barefoot, the Black and Tans and neighbours of hers who were raided by them. She talked about working at home on the farm, making butter and selling it in Ennis and she spoke of piseogs surrounding butter making.
Also in the recording, Nora spoke of moving to Killanena to work as the local priest’s housekeeper and meeting her husband, Tom. She recalled getting married in Killanena and told how there were only a small number of friends at the wedding. The newly-weds went to Ennis afterwards where Nora’s brother, Martin, held a small party for them.  
She also spoke of her father Pat Lynch who lived to be 100-years-old. 
One of the more forgotten customs that Nora recalled was associated with May Night. She recalled Mrs Rooney who used to place things on people’s farms on May Night. She mentioned bringing in the May, which involved bringing in a branch of the Whitethorn bush for good luck that night. 
She also remembered getting running water into the house for the first time and about the arrival of electricity. 
Nora also spoke about ration books and having to go to Noni Broderick’s with her ration book and recalled that there was a black market run locally. 
Nora also mentioned various aspects of life in the past including wren dances and her mother’s belief in the Banshee. 
The interview was recorded for Cuimhneamh an Chláir by Tomás Mac Conmara and Councillor Pat Hayes on March 3, 2011.
Nora Moroney was reposed at her residence on Monday last and her funeral mass was held in St Mary’s Church, Killanena on Tuesday with burial thereafter in the adjoining cemetery.