Gleeson, Kathleen

Date of Birth: 5th December 1932

Place of Birth: 8 Lower Esmonde Street, Gorey

Date Interviewed: 27h June 2009

Summary: Kathleen Gleeson still lives in the house in Gorey where she was born. The house still has a half-door and is popular with tourists. She was the youngest of 7 children and has vivid memories of her childhood. Her father was a saddler and carried on his business from home. He was also a Fianna Fail activist and Kathleen too has been active politically. Drinking water had to be carried from the well near the church and the toilet was in the back yard. Theirs was the first house to get electricity. Kathleen got a job in the Gorey library branch when she responded to a newspaper advert. She talks about how much she loved her work and of the changes she has seen during her many years with the service.