The Six Marys and Irish nurses in London

Jean's Journal, with Jean Farrell

My idea of Irish Centres in London has changed greatly. Originally built, in the 1950s, their aim was to assist Irish emigrants, some of whom needed help badly. This they did, very well.

In 1957, a grateful woman wrote: “Someone told me about The London Irish Centre, I prayed, dialled the number and an angel answered.” A man wrote, “I am eternally grateful for you at The London Irish Centre, for help and support over a number of years. I don’t know what I would have done without you”.

However, the lives of most Irish people in London have changed greatly, I’m glad to say. Many have prospered and have done very well. The London Irish Centre meets their needs also. The brochure states: "Our centre provides a world-class programme of Irish arts and culture, as well as information, advice, community support, a café-bar and venue spaces."

I performed my play ‘The Six Marys’ in The London Irish Centre during their Saint Patrick’s week celebration and what a lively modern place it is. Minister Heather Humphreys had just left when we arrived. A history course was beginning in the wonderful O’Donovan library, which holds 7,000 books. From the photographs on the wall I noted that Ed Sheeran and Dermot O’Leary had performed there recently.

We put on three performances of ‘The Six Marys,’ in the spacious venue. Having been there last November, many came back to see our play again and brought friends. The three shows were all booked out in advance, which was wonderful.

The audiences identified so well with the references to life long ago in Ireland. They loved every minute of the play, I’m delighted to say. “It’s the story of my life,” many told us. Young people came along too, with their mothers and grannies. To my surprise they seemed to enjoy it also and laughed heartily throughout.

For my co-actor Catherine Gallagher and myself it was a heart-warming experience. We had a great time there and were sorry to be leaving on March 16th. This is because on the following night a huge céilí was to be held to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. Alison Spittle (the comedian reared in Ballymore) was the DJ and I’d say it was a lively event indeed!

I want to tell you about the interesting photography exhibition of Irish nurses, which was on display in The London Irish Centre, while we were there. A project was undertaken to hear the stories of young Irish girls who had come to England to train as nurses, in the 1950s and 60s. Photographs of how they look now were displayed, with their stories printed beside them. I read all of these and they were very informative, telling of times past.

One stays in my mind. Beside the photo of a fine looking woman in her 70s, was her story. Mary wrote that she was born in 1950 in west Cork. The nearest village was even too far away to cycle to. An aunt came to visit and, hiring a hackney car, took Mary aged 18, into Cork city one day. Young Mary was fascinated by all she saw and decided immediately that city life was for her. As they passed a hotel she saw a notice in the window. It stated that, within in the hotel (on that very day) a matron, from a London hospital, was interviewing young Irish girls who wanted to train as nurses in her hospital. Their fare to England would be paid and their training would be free, as would be their accommodation.

Mary’s eyes lit up. Her future, at home in west Cork, had been looking very bleak indeed. She knew, if she stayed there, she’d end up marrying a local farmer and face a life of poverty, working daily on his small farm. Her only other option was to become a nun, or worse, a dreaded spinster!

Mary pointed out the notice to her aunt. “Your mother will kill me, but go for it, girl,” was her reply. Mary did and was accepted.

I looked at the photograph of the fine looking 73-year-old Mary, displayed on the wall of The London Irish Centre. I was glad to read that she had a very happy life working for the NHS.

A lot of their stories were similar. When these young Irish girls first began training in English hospitals they did very basic work indeed (that few are prepared to do nowadays!) They lived in dread of ‘fierce’ matrons and stayed in nurses homes. However, they got a good training and as professional nurses were paid well. Most of them married Irish men and have settled in London. Now retired their stories made interesting reading. Indeed, some girls who were in national school with me went nursing in England, and I’d say many of you also know girls who did.

Some of you may have heard me talking to Ryan Tubridy, on his morning radio show, recently. As a result The Mill Theatre in Dundrum was in touch inviting me to perform ‘The Six Marys’ there on June 22nd and 23rd next. We filled this Dublin theatre six times already!

Maybe you’d tell your friends that my play is returning there again, please. And thank you for spreading the word about our performances in London. I met many of your friends and relations after the shows.

People have asked me when 'The Six Marys' will be on in Athlone again. It is being performed at Kiltoom Hall, Ballybay, on April 12 and 13, at 8pm. Tickets on the door €12. Booking not necessary.

jeanfarrell@live.ie