John Quigley

John Quigley
Longford, Originally Kilkenny. Parents Thomas Quigley (Kilkenny) and mother Anne (Frazer) Quigley (Cork). They both met in England working in same college apparently only learnt this year, my father was a porter and my mother was waitress. 
grandparents,I only know of my father side really, as my mothers had passed even she was young. My fathers parents were Jack & Sarah Quigley they lived in Kilkenny. 
When my parents came back from England. They both settled in Kilkenny. My mother only lasted a few years before she wanted to go back to County Cork. Glanwoth, where I started  schooling Iin Bishops Cushions school in Cork.
The school It was one building. An old building, split into three separate rooms, via partitions. 
Was your typical old school. outdoor toilets, we had to walk couple of mile there and back, to school. What was nice was the fire in the room, where everybody would leave their milk, to get warm. Everyday you would see, many various bottles. Sauce bottles, port bottles, all around fire place. One of the teachers, every day would at break. Have her glass of milk, and one raw egg into the milk. everyday, think she was Miss Eirget.
But going back to Kilkenny for a second. There was a school area, where I use to play around. St Josephs Road, St Canices National School Kilkenny. Thinks its a Social Club now, Play Groups I think. 
The area we called it BUTTS. Now dont ask me how it got such a name, but what we all called it. Playground, two handball areas. Where if you ever heard of Duckie welsh, all Ireland Champion played around there.
I still go every year to visit life long friends i have made their. 
Siblings, Born in Cork. Brother Thomas, and two sisters Shirley and Anne. 
In 1961, we lost our mother she had passed away. Myself and the brother went to live with Auntie Sarah Ford. Back in Kilkenny, where sisters not long after joined up with us. Settled back in Kilkenny, Father remarried. Had four more kids. Brother Andy, sisters Mary, Kathleen and Martina. 

After my schooling I worked Kilkenny Products. Factory, Foundry, Made Aluminium Gutters in the old way. They were made on site, via a furnace, they were made last a long time. I worked their for just over 3 years. I had left school at 13. I was underage when I worked there had to be careful. I got great money, I did a lot of overtime. I was only allowed, with my age 7hrs a week. But I did a lot more than that, but nothing ever said. 
That was in late 60's. The over time upped my wages, where i was getting 15pound a week. 
I joined the army, in Currragh County Kildare. When I was 17, in 1970. Father been in it seemed like a good option.  He joined the Army in Fermoy County Cork. 
You have to be able to take on what they say, and take orders. I liked it, met great people. 
Started what would be fifteen years in the Army in Curragh. where training started. And where I lived full time on the grounds of the barracks. 
Jimmy Curran, Anthony Stoner Doyle, Jack Kinsella, Danny MacNamara, Doc Doherty, Noel Daly, Seamus Dutch Doherty, Joe Donlon lots of friends i got on well with. We all came from various places from around country to Longford Town Barracks. I was in the 4th Motor Unit. 
After leaving army I did many various manual jobs, from Farm Work, to county council in Newtownforbes Via FAS scheme, and building work. Also Golf Club with Tommy Flaherty and Richard Gorman. 
I met my partner Kathleen, soon after i had moved to Longford. We are 44 years married. Got married 1973. 
We had six kids, John, Sarah, Trevor, Paul, Stephen and Katie. We sadly lost Stephen at a young age. Died when he was just 6 and a half. Be 34 this coming year. It was very tough, that first year, you never get truly over it being honest. 
We are now i think 45 years in Longford. Ferefad, not a stones throw away form where Kathleen was reared with parents Jim & Angela Roger's. 
For years, love to walk, did a lot of walking. Until I hit into a bad state of health. Heart problems, back in 1994. After which I did a lot more walking being scared into it. Five miles daily, I was great, no problems for over seventeen years. The last few years, been getting more problems every year as it comes. 
I did smoke, but after that first scare I gave them up. Do a small of bit of exercise now, I could do a little more probably.
Last year i was in for a few weeks with heart failure and not so long ago too. 
Have a defibrillator and pacemaker inside me. Never forget the first time that kicked in one day. 
I was walking around Moydow, heading near into Moydow itself. When I got hit and fell to my knees. At first I thought it was a car, it took me a few mins to realise and remember I had that Defibrillator and pace maker inside me. 
I had to go to hospital , as you do after such an attack. 
I tell ya it was like being hit by a car, I made contact that time with Daughter Katie i knew wasn't far way, and Paul was of work he was there and came to me straight away.  
But speaking about Longford, when i came here first was such a booming town. 
You had Lyons meat factory, the barracks. 
Rawle's were very good to all them that worked by, Old Joe Rawle and wife.  be it  change a cheuqe, or sort you out til next day for box of fags. Paddy Donovans Pub. Barney McGlynn, had pub there where Lyons pub is now, he wouldn't mind changing your mind let alone your cheque. He had that new machine at the time, A Microwave, you would go in on a weds and get a burger and a few pints. Use to be another pub there by the bridge, Johnny Lyons had. 
 I remember a CS of ours in the Army. Every day he would go to John Lyons, at lunch time. Get a glass of Guinness, and when needed John would even cut his hair. 
Speaking of old days, you reminded me of an old lady in County Cork. Lives nearby a Rabbit Coursing field, where they hold nationals. Lizzie Hayley. In her 90's now, but you wouldn't think it looks great for her age. She would when the coursing is on make sandwiches and tea, for them that gathered around to watch or partake in it. 
Fond memories also of picking Blackberries, in baskets and this gentleman would go around and buy them of any family that were willing. 
In Kilkenny we had our own Steptoe and Son, Rag + Bone man, use to go around looking for clothes. Was funny all the kids would run home and bring all these clothes. He would give you goldfish or something small. now don't know of most parents were aware of all the clothing some of the kids brought.
Advice I would pass on to kids or grand kids, simple be good mind yourself and take each day as it comes.