MARY LEONARD LOWNDES, AGE 72, SWORDS

Mary Leonard Lowndes had a busy childhood helping out in her family’s farm in Rush at a time when there was no running water, electricity or radio. Later she served her time for three years with Melia Foley, who was a dressmaker, before she set up her own dressmaking business in Swords. She was kept busy making coats, suits and carrying out alterations to wedding dresses and she vividly recalls the changing fashions of the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s. Mary’s husband Joseph had a vegetable round and spent much of his time loading up brussels sprouts, potatoes, cabbage and lettuce from the farmers in Rush.