29 January 2004: Agnes Cullen’s many years working for Lawlor’s caterers in Naas is the subject of her contribution to a book entitled Our Young Years written by the Remembering the Past writers group based at the Day Hospital of Naas General Hospital.

The book was launched at recent events in both Naas and Newbridge.

The group came together ‘to explore personal creativity’ and discovered hidden talents.

They included Josie Behan, Agnes Cullen, Bridie Connell, Elizabeth O’Connor, Maura Roche and Michael Wall. Sadly, Josie passed away after the group was formed.

The paperback was edited by Ann Egan, writer in residence at the hospital.

In the preface, Ann writes: “I was enthralled listening as everyday childhoods of the last century, and the one before it, indeed of the last millennium, were recounted in the clear, exact rhythms of their tellers.”

She says ‘Agnes Cullen’s memoirs are priceless as they detail a young girl’s career in the catering business for over 40 years’.

Agnes (79 next month) from St Conleth’s Place, Naas, headed her contribution ‘My Memoirs’. She began working in Lawlor’s outdoor catering, travelling all over the country to race meetings and functions. Agnes says it was very tiring work especially when she was put in charge after many years of training under ‘a very hard tutor in Mrs Bridget Lawlor’. Her day started at 7am and she was lucky to finish at 12pm the following morning.

“That was a normal kind of day in the hotel. At that time we cooked breakfasts for the residents and those who called in. We then turned in to cook and serve a four-course lunch that went on till 3pm. Then we had a break and returned to prepare for high tea. That was a busy few hours, especially if the All-Ireland football or hurling finals were on. We would be lucky to finish up at 3am for a few hours rest before starting all over again.
We also travelled a lot to matches and I enjoyed every minute of it.

“The two-day meeting of Galway Races, catering for the multitudes, was the hardest thing I ever did,” she recalls in the book. “Five lorries would leave Naas on Sunday morning loaded to the hilt with food and wines and hampers of table linen, Kings pattern cutlery, cookers and kitchen wear. But before the lorries left, Mrs Lawlor sent out her nurse to shake holy water over them and the staff who were travelling on those lorries. We arrived at the Race Course at about 7pm to steak, onions and chips and it was very welcome!

“Working at race meetings was hard work and on the last day I had to start back all over again to move on to Tuam Races. After Tuam, we travelled the long journey home, tired and exhausted only to prepare for the Royal Dublin Horse Show in Ballsbridge. That was another very hectic week. The following week we travelled to Tramore Races which went on for six days. This schedule went on year in, year out.”

While at work Agnes would be asked by Mrs Lawlor to sing Silent Night every Christmas Eve.

Agnes was referred to the Day Hospital some years ago and says she cannot speak too high of the kindness and loving care shown to her by all the staff. She particularly mentions Vanessa, a staff nurse, who she says ‘couldn’t do enough to help me’.

She comes from hard working stock. Her father (a Roscommon man) was a senior postman in the Naas Post office (then in Hanrahan’s on Main Street). He left home at 6am to collect the post for Ballymore and Hollywood and then delivered it on pushbike, six days a week, even on Christmas Day in hail, rain or snow ... and never complained. Her mother, Elizabeth, hailed from Cork and Agnes recalls that she was ‘a great manager’.

She told KNN: “I was one of a family of ten but only two brothers and myself are left - John lives in Donegal and Michael in Christchurch, New Zealand.” She also has a nephew Eugene Van-Dijk in London and through KNN, says a big Hello to them, and all her friends.

Agnes now intends writing a full account of her years with Lawlor’s catering.

In the book, Bridie Connell (a sister of the late Naas historian Ger Kinsella) writes about the famous Naas character Daddy Donoghue who had a drapery and a mens’ tailoring outfit shop in Poplar Square.

The book, at €5, is a limited edition. Copies can be ordered from Agnes or from her neighbour May O’Leary. Proceeds go to the Day Hospital in Naas.

Those responsible for making it all happen in the Day Hospital included were Margaret mcQuillan, Commissioning Manager, Imaal Ward; Letitia Gilhooly, Senior Physiotherapist who also typed up the manuscript; Imelda Brennan, Clinical Nurse Manager Imaal Ward and Breda Goode, Clinical Nurse Manager, Day Hospital.