'Try and don’t be disappointed if you don’t make it' Laois seniors have lovely advice - for themselves

Do you wish you could have a word in the ear of your teenage self, with the wisdom of experience?

The Leinster Express Laois Life magazine recently visited a meeting of the Portlaoise Active Retired group in Portlaoise parish centre. We asked four members what advice they would give to their 16 year old selves, if they could step back in time.

Michael Holohan, 75 is a retired army corporal and Abbeyleix native. At 16 he had started work in the hotel trade.

“I’d say don’t travel on your own. Always have somebody with you. Be careful who you come into contact with, though I was lucky myself. Don’t allow yourself to work 14 hours a day. If you feel you’re being abused in that way, speak up and say something about it. Back then you did what you were told”.

Sheila Duff (née Larkin) was born in Ballyroan. At 16 she was cycling in 7.5 miles to school daily in Portlaoise Presentation convent.

“When I was young there were very few facilities for girls to play sport. I’d try harder to find things, like athletics. I did play table tennis in the local hall. We went to dances on a Sunday night. I’d have more of them. I’d say stick to the hugs, no more than that. Enjoy being 16,” she said.

Kathleen McEvoy (née Murphy) is aged 86 but remembers well being 16.

“I had four big brothers and we played football and hurling but I was always the goalie. I cycled to school for 11 years to the Presentation Convent and did my inter cert. I worked on the family farm and went to the cinema and old ballroom.

"I didn’t see a future. My father had no emphasis on education, my mother was the influencer.

"I’d say to my younger self, get involved more in sports, drama. Go swimming, I never saw the seaside until I was 16. Have more confidence. Think about where I want to go, you need to make a name for yourself in life, try and don’t be disappointed if you don’t make it”.

Drogheda native Andy McQuillan, aged 91, is a retired county accountant for Laois County Council, and a life long member of Conradh na Gaeilge.

He has lived in Portlaoise for over 50 years with his wife Maura, and they have three sons and three daughters.

“At 16 I was living in Westfield beside the Blessed Oliver Church where I was an altar boy. I was one of four boys and four girls. I left school the October before my leaving cert to work but I got tuition. My mother said I could leave only on condition I sat the leaving cert.

"I would say to myself, be good to your neighbours, and to your friends. And keep up the Gaeilge."

Read also: 'People fearful of leaving their front gate' on dangerous Portlaoise road

Portlaoise Active Retired meet several times a week for social events. New members welcome, contact Maria 0879187157

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