Five takeaways from the March Memory Monday

Monks brewed beer in Kilcullen in medieval times, writes Mary Orford. Those at our gathering suggested it might be time to resurrect the idea and produce Kilcullen beer again

The first Halverstown Cricket Club dinner dance was marred by the fact the band didn’t turn up. No worries. Mr William Walker lilted all night to provide music for the cricketing dancers — or the dancing cricketers?

Patrick Brennan, who compiled the Brigade Activity Reports which feature on the Military Archives website, lived on a farm in Brownstown on the Naas road.

The Purcell family who owned Halverstown House, for reasons lost in the mists of time, changed their family name to Gilpin. The Purcell-Gilpins were, according to reports, good employers and gave jobs to many people.

The O’Brien family owned a pub on Main Street, Kilcullen, in the early 1900s — located, we think, beside what is now Brennan’s Hardware. A descendent of the family turned up to research her family roots.

The memory box prompted even more looking back in time. The case itself brought memories of school days (and even emigration) while the contents reminded us of dressmaking and curtain making, cooking, discipline, interior design.

It’s amazing how much chatting and reminiscing can be done over a cuppa. It’s equally amazing how much history the residents of Kilcullen carry around in their heads. Thanks to everyone who came and shared their memories.

The Meitheal of Memories team look forward to welcoming you all at our next Memory Monday on Monday 8th April. 11am, Kilcullen Heritage Centre.

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