Peggy Dowling (née Brett) (b. 1929)

‘The Pike’ public house was the homeplace of Peggy Brett. The Brett family purchased the property having come from Ballycallan in 1882. Peggy recalls the life there in her young days, when the farmers from Gowran, Borris and Graiguenamanagh would use the yard at ‘The Pike’ to stand their animals the night before Kilkenny fair. ‘The Pike’ was thatched until 1949, when a fire gutted the building. The community came together to help and support the family until the pub was rebuilt, and Peggy still remembers those neighbours with gratitude. Her recall of her Brett family is excellent, and their public house at ‘The Pike’ was a landmark which provided great sustenance and comfort to the workers at the marble-works over many years.