Reference
X214/12/8
Title
Transcript of interview with Thomas Bourke. Born 28 March 1932
Date free text
14 Dec 2007
Production date
From: 1932 To: 2007
Scope and Content
Born in Moyney, near Bally Castle, County Mayo, Ireland. Family home was a smallholding of about 30 acres.
Had 2 brothers and 2 sisters.
Went to Killey National School where there were 2 classes. There was a lot of caning for things the pupils did not know or had not had time to learn. Did not have time to learn things as had to work on the smallholding after school and was then too tired for school work.
Used to play handball, a bit like squash without rackets. Some of the old ball alleys are still standing. Also played [Gaelic] football and hurling.
Best time on the smallholding would be gathering in the hay, as all the neighbours would come and help.
In the school holidays worked full time on the smallholding.
Used to go fishing as smallholding only 100 yards away from the Atlantic ocean. The family had a share in a boat, so went out fishing in that. The fishing was for food for the family.
Older brother Patrick was killed at the age of eighteen in a road accident. Both sisters and brother Michael went to America. Theresa went in 1951 or 1952 and Kitty the following year.
During the war had everything the family needed on the farm. Mother raised turkeys to sell at Christmas.
Reciprocal help in the community.
The pig was killed in October. It was pickled in a large barrel with salt and later taken out and put in muslin. It was very salty and had to be boilied several times with the water being changed to get rid of the salt.
The community would get together to play cards at a different house each week. At birthday parties there would be someone playing an accordion or fiddle; it was called a hooley.
Describes halloween rituals. The same things were done on St. Stephens Day [26 December]. People would dress up in straw and travel from door to door and do a set and the household would give them money. There was also eating apples strung from a line while hands were behind back, or bobbing for apples from a barrel.
Describes some of the practical jokes played.
St. Stephens Day was a day for mummers; dressing up so you would not be recognised and going from door to door doing a dance and the householder would pay. It was a moneymaking day for children.
After school worked for some of the bigger local farmers, but the work would only be by the day.
In 1950 went to Dublin and lived with an Uncle near Vaughan's Bridge. Earned 15 shillings the first 2 years, 18 shillings the next two years, then a guines a week, working as an electrician. Worked in various places. Qualified as an electrician at evening classes. Earned extra money by milking cows at the weekend on a farm just outside Dublin. Stayed over at the farm and was paid £3 and food. Took £1 and the farmer saved £2 for him until he had £50 and bought a motorcycle.
Came to England in 1955. Went to Halifax where friend from Ireland, Lawrence Clifford, was living and hoped to get work. Went to Lawrence's address, but he had moved on. Most digs had signs 'No Irish, no dogs.' Found digs with a lady whose husband had been killed in the war. Got a job at Sagar Richards. They would not accept Irish credentials so had to work 6 months at two thirds pay while doing exams to re-qualify with English qualifications. After six months headed for Brimingham where there were friends from Dublin.
Got a job in Birmingham with a company that had a chemical factory in Dún Laoghaire [costal town in Dublin] and hoped to get a transfer, but that did not happen. Stayed in Birmingham until 1958. Remembers seeing the singer Val Doonican perform at the Irish Club.
Went home to visit family in Ireland in the summer and at Christmas.
When in Birmingham worked in what was called the 'phoss' plant. This used phospheros so they had to wear protective clothing. At weekends would go to the Irish Club. Would also go to the pub maybe twice a week.
Best friend Charlie Kelly came to Luton and Thomas moved to Luton and moved to Bailey Street. First job in Luton was a Flowers Brewery. Was there for a week. Managed to get a job on the buses, which is where Charlie Kelly worked. Was a conductor for a few months, then a driver from 1958 to 1966. Has regretted leaving that job many times.
Describes the pranks of a colleague called Bill Colley. If on standby would be in Park Street, playing snooker.
Liked the shift work.
Used to go to the Shamrock Club in Midland Road, the Hart Club and St. Joseph's Parish Centre. Living in Bailey Street, used to go to the Mouders Arms public house. The landlady was called Mary; it was known as 'Mary the Moudlers' and frequented by a lot of Irish.
Writes poems and sketches and participates in social community groups. Does fundraising for charity.
Got married in 1960. The marriage broke down and they divorced. Has two daughters. Subsequently re-married to Frances in 1976 and has a step-son.
Has been chairman of Luton Irish Forum.
Speaks some Gaelic.
Has lost touch with family in Ireland, though still has some cousons there. Brother in America has died. Keeps up with his two sisters in America.
Still refers to Ireland as home.
Level of description
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