Raised on a farm at foot of Benbulben
The recent passing of Mary Margaret McGowan ( right) at the remarkable age of 101 years marked the end of an era for the McGowan family of Carnamadow, Grange.
The second eldest of 11 children born to Terence and Margaret McGowan on May 5th 1915, Mary Margaret was the last survivor of the McGowan family who farmed in the townland of Carnamadow at the foot of Benbulben for 125 years.
Growing up in the Ireland of post Easter Rising 1916 was challenging for everybody.
Money was scarce and survival depended on resourcefulness. Her parents lost three children – two under the age of three and one just five years old but with their deep faith and indomitable spirit they never lost heart.
The family lived through turbulent times politically, witnessing six Free State soldiers arriving at the house early morning, placing their guns on the table, demanding what food was in the house and emptying the milk churns which were ready for the creamery.
On another occasion at the age of seven, Mary Margaret remembers meeting the Black and Tans in their lorries careering along the byeways of North Sligo.
The Gore Booth sisters of Lissadel called to the house on horse back seeking permission to continue up the slopes of Benbulben
In spite of the scarcity of money Terence McGowan, a man of vision was determined his daughters would receive secondary education which was very unusual at the time as daughters were generally expected to stay at home to help with the younger children in the family
However, Mary Margaret was enrolled in the Mercy Convent Sligo staying in ‘ digs’ in the town. The founding of the new State required clerical staff for the Civil Service so Mary Margaret sat the exam and was offered a position in the Land Commission in Merrion Street.
Ten wonderful years were spent there enjoying the delights of city life as well as working lots of overtime, the money from which was sent back to her parents. Mary Margaret by now had adopted her Irish name Mairead. Meantime, she met her future husband Tony Diamond who was planning to go to Australia but Mairead changed all that and with the end of the second world war in 1945 they married in Dublin.
The marriage ban on women working in State jobs forced Mairead to resign. From then on she devoted herself entirely to home making and rearing three children.
The resourcefulness and strength gained from her parents in Carnamadow stood to her. In spite of the modest income Mairead and Tony managed to send the children to dancing, singing, music lessons and later to university
Long summer holidays each year provided golden opportunity to return to Carnamadow where the children enjoyed the wonderful freedom of the farm helping their beloved uncle John T with sheep on Benbulben. This much anticipated visit continued each year until Mairead reached her 97th year when the journey from Dublin proved too long. Ironically, six months before her passing her grandson invited her to visit him in Tokyo. Her response was “how much will it cost.”
Sadly, a few short weeks later on July 27th 1916 Mairead left us on her final long journey to join her dear husband Tony.
“Go dti an ait in a mbionn se ina shamhradh I gconai” was one of Mairead’s favourite sayings.
We will remember our Mam as a most generous, kind and caring person blessed with an indomitable spirit and exceptional energy. The recessional hymn at Mairead’s funeral Mass summed up her long life; ‘ If I can help somebody as I pass along then my living shall not be in vain.’
Mairead is survived by her daughters Cathryn and Mary,