Looking Back: Cutting the corn

In relation to the latest photograph featured in the Looking Back section of the Diary, Drawing the Hay, I’ve sent this photograph, taken possibly in the late 1930s, writes Anna Groves.

If indeed it is Tom Molloy (as the editor wonders), drawing hay from his field, now the site of Avondale Estate, these were his neighbours — the Ennis Family of Ivy House, Knockbounce. Ivy House was a thatched farmhouse located where the motorway bridge now stands.

As it was the first cutting of corn in the area, it was worthy of the attention of a passing newspaper photographer.

My mam Pearl Groves (nee Ennis), at 90 years of age, cites this as one of her earliest memories. Determined to follow her mother down the fields as her older sister had done, she felt very aggrieved she was prevented from doing so, hence her absence from the photograph.

Pictured are Johnny Dempsey (Whitehall), Mary (Molly) Ennis (Ivy House), Ned Conway (Nicholastown?), Dora Ennis (Ivy House), Mrs Conway (Nicholastown?), John Birmingham (family cousin) and Jim Kelly from Inchaquire who worked on the farm.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy