'...my father started cleaning the windows, something he had not done since the day I was born. He was quite vexed at leaving me in the convent.'

'...my father started cleaning the windows, something he had not done since the day I was born. He was quite vexed at leaving me in the convent.'

Rosemary remembers the day she left home to join the convent. She describes her parents, in particular, her father's reaction to her leaving home.

Rosemary McCloskey

Trinity College Dublin

1972

This item is protected by original copyright

This content may be downloaded and used (with attribution) for research, teaching or private study. It may not be used for commercial purposes without permission.

Rosemary McCloskey

Work and Employment

Life Story

Crumlin Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland

1970's

It was during my year teaching in St Malachy's, that I entered the Sisters of Mercy on the Crumlin Road. My father and mother left me there on 24th September 1972. My mother told me that when he returned home again, my father started cleaning the windows, something he had not done since the day I was born. He was quite vexed at leaving me in the convent. When my mother asked him if he did not like the nuns, he replied that they were nothing but a crowd of recruiting sergeant majors!!In actual fact he had great respect for them always, and was not unhappy that I had joined them, but I believe he saw it as the first break in the family. We were his whole life and his pride and joy and he was always happy when we were all together at home.

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

Dr Kathleen McTiernan (Trinity College Dublin)

Dr Deirdre O'Donnell (Trinity College Dublin)