Oonagh travelled out on regular occasions by bus in the beginning. She also used the Muskerry tram on occasion (pre its closure in 1934). Occasionally her uncle Bill Williams might come in and collect her by car. He had one of the first cars in Dripsey. Oonagh remembers Bill to be a good-humoured man who told funny stories about local goings on. He provided her entertainment at weekends. Oonagh recalls that one day, Bill brought a man, a water diviner onto the land to search for a new well. Oonagh recalls the twigs started jumping and Bill subsequently created a pump near the kitchen of the house.

Bill nurtured in Oonagh a love for the land. He brought her to point-to-point races. They went shooting snipe. Bill taught Oonagh how to clean the rifle and taught her how to aim by shooting at tins. Indeed, he had several rifles, as they were convenient to have, so when visitors came they could join the shooting party. He had a car and brought Oonagh and other relatives to the seaside. All the family had an interest in art. Even Bill would even do a scene – a cow or a horse or something. The love of art is still enjoyed by Oonagh today.

In time, Bill inherited the local shop in Lower Dripsey from his father. Bill also ran a small farm as well as circa six cows. Bill had a man who worked full time on the farm. Lily, his sister had poultry. At one time, Bill tried pigs but they did work out. Bill got on well with the local community to the extent that he was not interfered with during the Irish War of Independence.

More next week…

Sincere thanks to Oonagh O'Mahony, Kevin O'Mahony, George Williams, Margaret Baker, Martin McCarthy and Pat Carroll for this adventure and their insights into Bill Williams.

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