'She had a fantastic memory and could relate the story of the movie next day in exquisite detail'

'She had a fantastic memory and could relate the story of the movie next day in exquisite detail'

Harry Browne describes his relationships with his five siblings. He vividly recalls his sister Janet and her fantastic memory.

Harry Browne

Trinity College Dublin

1945

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Harry Browne

Childhood and Early Life

Life Story

North Strand, Dublin

1940's

I was always a somewhat solitary individual and I did not have close relationships with my older brothers, George and Tony. I was probably just too young to be included in their games. I was also somewhat too old for my younger siblings so I did not have a very close relationship with them either. This is probably a common circumstance in large families. With my eldest sister Betty I seem to have always been at odds. As I was eleven years younger I assume I was a significant nuisance to her particularly in her teenage years which is likely the years I can remember. Freda was a vivacious and bubbly character and always good fun and Janet acted the part of a deputy mother for much of my early years. Janet had been sick when young and missed a portion of her schooling, she may also have had the Browne's disability of dyslexia so she did not read and write until quite late in life. She was however great value if she had been to the pictures. She had a fantastic memory and could relate the story of the movie next day in exquisite detail with all the various characters clearly described and the action told with perfect clarity.

Irish Research Council for Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (IRCHSS)

Dr Kathleen McTiernan (Trinity College Dublin)

Dr Deirdre O'Donnell (Trinity College Dublin)