Bairbre talks about the role of religion in her immediate family…
“Funnily enough, I considered myself quite lucky that we weren't that religious because I saw families who insisted on morning mass and rosaries. I was told some families said the Rosary so I felt I'd got off quite lightly. I think there was a prayer before meals and mass on a Sunday. But that wasn't too much, I don't think. That was fairly like, you know, that was— I felt like most other people but I did have sympathy for people whose parents were very committed to that, you know, outwardly worshipping et cetera, et cetera.
But— but at the same time, my father I think was— his sister was a nun so I think he thought it was very important to stick to the rules and be observant because he had a member of the— you know, what do we call— 'the Cloth' in his family. So yeah I think maybe he was more observant. Although my mum was really committed; she used to like going to into Limerick city once a week, just into town and combine going to mass with a bit of shopping and a coffee. So she had a bit of routine and I think since we've all left home my mum does go to prayer meetings and things like that with the Salesian nuns who since— some of whom have left the convent and live in smaller groups in the area. So she attends the bits and bobs that they do. So, yeah, yeah so I think they were both fairly committed to their faith but didn't really do a hard sell on it which was quite nice. So yeah, it wasn't too bad in that regard.”
Bairbre was born in Dublin in 1971 and grew up in Limerick, the second of four siblings. She describes how she was compared to her older sister and how both at school and at home she was made to feel not clever enough. Outside school she learned music and was good at sport. She reflects on family life and the role of her mother as homemaker. After her Leaving Certificate exams she attended Dublin Institute of Technology and then completed her studies in London. She describes how she was keen to leave Limerick but also enjoyed meeting up with friends on her return and going clubbing in Limerick. While studying in London she made some good friends and met her husband. Her first holiday in Ireland with him prompted an awkward conversation about sex with her mother which she tried found embarrassing. Once her course finished she started working in London and eventually recruited her boyfriend (now husband) to the same company.
For more information on accessing Bairbre’s full interview or transcript please email faisneis@unaganaguna.org
