Covid-19 pandemic was unprecedented. Nurses had to update their clinical skills by doing online courses, PPE training, examining research and new protocols. It was not easy for theatre nurses to transform into an ICU nurse. However we updated, trained ourselves to fight against this pandemic. The stress levels among staffs were very high as people were redeployed to work outside their comfort zone in unfamiliar areas. The fear and anxiety of looking after the critically ill ventilated Covid-19 infectious patients were palpable among staffs. Our greatest fear was of contacting Covid-19 patients and putting my family and colleagues in risk. We were also upset as we were not able to see and interact with family members, elderly vulnerable parents and immunosuppressed relatives.

We had to face many physical effects and difficulties while working with PPEs in long shifts, such as working in extreme heat, inability to open windows, unable to drink of water often, using the bathroom, inability to recognize the co-worker with all PPE on, Goggles fogging up, opaque face shield restricting our vision. The tightly fitted face mask often caused sore and bruised skin and also skin abrasions around face and ears. We were often exposed to the risk of aerosol generating procedures such as intubations and surgeries. Few of my colleagues were critically ill and had to be intubated and put on life support. Some of our staff is still ventilated and recovering in ICU.

It was equally upsetting to see the patients, where they were restricted to see their families. Patients were communicating with their loved ones through I pad, Skype and whatsapp etc. without knowing they are ever going to see their loved once again be able to see their loved once again. The worst of all was to witness the emotional breakdown of dying patients and their families, during this pandemic.

I really appreciate the outpouring support from the public. The torches you lighted gave us a vision, the sound of your claps encouraged us to run faster against Corona, the PPEs you provided were our armor and shields, the food you provided nourished us to stand stronger against Corona and finally your prayers and good wishes, invoked heaven and made us to act like earthly angels.
Once again thanks to all, we, the health care workers will fight like brave warriors from the front till corona is defeated.
Thank you. Shibi Antu, Tallaght

© All Rights Reserved

Carmel Callis Née Feehan
When Mam and Dad moved into their new home on Landen Road in Ballyfermot in June 1961, Mam was doubly excited.
Firstly because it was exactly the same type of house she had grown up in on Cashel Road in Crumlin and secondly because there were trains at the end of the garden!
The house backed onto CIE’s railway “works” in Inchicore. As children, we spent hours sitting on top of the garden fence watching the trains. Everything travelled by rail back then so we had sheep, pigs and cattle going by. The horses for the Dublin horse show also travelled by train.
Of course during the GAA season we watched all the supporters travelling to and from Croke Park with their county colours on display. We all loved the excitement of the railway, none more so than Mam.
Mam sang all her life, starting in the Corey Choir in Inchicore as a teenager and then joining a musical troupe In the early 1950s as their principal female singer. They sang all the old time music hall songs in venues all around Dublin. Once married and with a young family she no longer appeared on stage.
However when she moved to Ballyfermot she recommenced her singing, joining in with the ballad sessions at the Legion of Mary on Ballyfermot Road. She used to recall having wonderful ballad sessions with Ted and Nora Furey, parents of the famous Furey Brothers.
Mam and Dad were married in April 1956 having met at the Irish Art Plaster Company in Irishtown where they both worked. Dad was a statue caster and mam was in the painting department. The company made religious statues and some can still be seen in churches around Dublin and nationwide. Their romance blossomed when Dad repaired a puncture in Mams bicycle. He insisted on cycling home with her in case the tyre went flat again, despite it being miles out of his way. As good an excuse as any!
Mam settled into Ballyfermot quickly and had wonderful neighbours. When she wanted a chat with our next door neighbour she would knock with a spoon on the hot water pipe in the sitting room. A coded message to meet up in the back garden for a chat over the fence.
In the 1970s Mam started working part time in the ICS Building Society and worked there until 1988. She really enjoyed her time there and made some wonderful friends.
She started singing again in the 1990’s when she joined the choir in the church of our Lady of the Assumption in Ballyfermot. Christmas Eve was the highlight of the year as they belted out the Hallelujah chorus to a packed church. It was always amazing to hear.
As Mam got older she had to leave the church choir. However many years later we both joined the Memory Lane choir in Crumlin, a choir for people with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Mam loved being in a choir again and really enjoyed it.
When we could no longer attend the choir, Mam and I continued to sing at home everyday. Everything from opera to pop, ballads to country music. She never lost her wonderful voice and she sang for everyone who came into the house. She was a joy to listen to.
Mams other wonderful talent was knitting. She knit dolls and toys. These fantastic creations were given to family, friends and neighbours and sent all around the country and indeed the world.
I’d say there’s many a house in Ballyfermot that has something knitted by Mam. She gave them to the girls in the local Tesco, Pharmacy, and post office. There’s a wonderful big colourful clown in the nurses office in the local doctors surgery. Mam thought it would be a great distraction for the young children coming in to see the nurse or doctor.
Mam was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.
She had a wonderful happy marriage and had been married 58 years to Harry until his death in January 2015 at the age of 92.
Tragically Mam contracted Corona Virus and passed away on March 29th 2020 aged 90.
She is deeply missed by her sons James Declan and Kieran and her daughter Maria. Her daughters in law Barbara and Sharon and her son in law Ray.
Her grandchildren Niamh Conor Sean Ciara Evan and Ryan and all her family and friends.
She was a truly wonderful generous and talented lady who was happiest when giving.
Maria Collins nee Callis (daughter)

© All Rights Reserved

Carmel Callis Née Feehan
When Mam and Dad moved into their new home on Landen Road in Ballyfermot in June 1961, Mam was doubly excited.
Firstly because it was exactly the same type of house she had grown up in on Cashel Road in Crumlin and secondly because there were trains at the end of the garden!
The house backed onto CIE’s railway “works” in Inchicore. As children, we spent hours sitting on top of the garden fence watching the trains. Everything travelled by rail back then so we had sheep, pigs and cattle going by. The horses for the Dublin horse show also travelled by train.
Of course during the GAA season we watched all the supporters travelling to and from Croke Park with their county colours on display. We all loved the excitement of the railway, none more so than Mam.
Mam sang all her life, starting in the Corey Choir in Inchicore as a teenager and then joining a musical troupe In the early 1950s as their principal female singer. They sang all the old time music hall songs in venues all around Dublin. Once married and with a young family she no longer appeared on stage.
However when she moved to Ballyfermot she recommenced her singing, joining in with the ballad sessions at the Legion of Mary on Ballyfermot Road. She used to recall having wonderful ballad sessions with Ted and Nora Furey, parents of the famous Furey Brothers.
Mam and Dad were married in April 1956 having met at the Irish Art Plaster Company in Irishtown where they both worked. Dad was a statue caster and mam was in the painting department. The company made religious statues and some can still be seen in churches around Dublin and nationwide. Their romance blossomed when Dad repaired a puncture in Mams bicycle. He insisted on cycling home with her in case the tyre went flat again, despite it being miles out of his way. As good an excuse as any!
Mam settled into Ballyfermot quickly and had wonderful neighbours. When she wanted a chat with our next door neighbour she would knock with a spoon on the hot water pipe in the sitting room. A coded message to meet up in the back garden for a chat over the fence.
In the 1970s Mam started working part time in the ICS Building Society and worked there until 1988. She really enjoyed her time there and made some wonderful friends.
She started singing again in the 1990’s when she joined the choir in the church of our Lady of the Assumption in Ballyfermot. Christmas Eve was the highlight of the year as they belted out the Hallelujah chorus to a packed church. It was always amazing to hear.
As Mam got older she had to leave the church choir. However many years later we both joined the Memory Lane choir in Crumlin, a choir for people with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Mam loved being in a choir again and really enjoyed it.
When we could no longer attend the choir, Mam and I continued to sing at home everyday. Everything from opera to pop, ballads to country music. She never lost her wonderful voice and she sang for everyone who came into the house. She was a joy to listen to.
Mams other wonderful talent was knitting. She knit dolls and toys. These fantastic creations were given to family, friends and neighbours and sent all around the country and indeed the world.
I’d say there’s many a house in Ballyfermot that has something knitted by Mam. She gave them to the girls in the local Tesco, Pharmacy, and post office. There’s a wonderful big colourful clown in the nurses office in the local doctors surgery. Mam thought it would be a great distraction for the young children coming in to see the nurse or doctor.
Mam was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.
She had a wonderful happy marriage and had been married 58 years to Harry until his death in January 2015 at the age of 92.
Tragically Mam contracted Corona Virus and passed away on March 29th 2020 aged 90.
She is deeply missed by her sons James Declan and Kieran and her daughter Maria. Her daughters in law Barbara and Sharon and her son in law Ray.
Her grandchildren Niamh Conor Sean Ciara Evan and Ryan and all her family and friends.
She was a truly wonderful generous and talented lady who was happiest when giving.
Maria Collins nee Callis (daughter)

© All Rights Reserved

Carmel Callis Née Feehan
When Mam and Dad moved into their new home on Landen Road in Ballyfermot in June 1961, Mam was doubly excited.
Firstly because it was exactly the same type of house she had grown up in on Cashel Road in Crumlin and secondly because there were trains at the end of the garden!
The house backed onto CIE’s railway “works” in Inchicore. As children, we spent hours sitting on top of the garden fence watching the trains. Everything travelled by rail back then so we had sheep, pigs and cattle going by. The horses for the Dublin horse show also travelled by train.
Of course during the GAA season we watched all the supporters travelling to and from Croke Park with their county colours on display. We all loved the excitement of the railway, none more so than Mam.
Mam sang all her life, starting in the Corey Choir in Inchicore as a teenager and then joining a musical troupe In the early 1950s as their principal female singer. They sang all the old time music hall songs in venues all around Dublin. Once married and with a young family she no longer appeared on stage.
However when she moved to Ballyfermot she recommenced her singing, joining in with the ballad sessions at the Legion of Mary on Ballyfermot Road. She used to recall having wonderful ballad sessions with Ted and Nora Furey, parents of the famous Furey Brothers.
Mam and Dad were married in April 1956 having met at the Irish Art Plaster Company in Irishtown where they both worked. Dad was a statue caster and mam was in the painting department. The company made religious statues and some can still be seen in churches around Dublin and nationwide. Their romance blossomed when Dad repaired a puncture in Mams bicycle. He insisted on cycling home with her in case the tyre went flat again, despite it being miles out of his way. As good an excuse as any!
Mam settled into Ballyfermot quickly and had wonderful neighbours. When she wanted a chat with our next door neighbour she would knock with a spoon on the hot water pipe in the sitting room. A coded message to meet up in the back garden for a chat over the fence.
In the 1970s Mam started working part time in the ICS Building Society and worked there until 1988. She really enjoyed her time there and made some wonderful friends.
She started singing again in the 1990’s when she joined the choir in the church of our Lady of the Assumption in Ballyfermot. Christmas Eve was the highlight of the year as they belted out the Hallelujah chorus to a packed church. It was always amazing to hear.
As Mam got older she had to leave the church choir. However many years later we both joined the Memory Lane choir in Crumlin, a choir for people with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Mam loved being in a choir again and really enjoyed it.
When we could no longer attend the choir, Mam and I continued to sing at home everyday. Everything from opera to pop, ballads to country music. She never lost her wonderful voice and she sang for everyone who came into the house. She was a joy to listen to.
Mams other wonderful talent was knitting. She knit dolls and toys. These fantastic creations were given to family, friends and neighbours and sent all around the country and indeed the world.
I’d say there’s many a house in Ballyfermot that has something knitted by Mam. She gave them to the girls in the local Tesco, Pharmacy, and post office. There’s a wonderful big colourful clown in the nurses office in the local doctors surgery. Mam thought it would be a great distraction for the young children coming in to see the nurse or doctor.
Mam was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.
She had a wonderful happy marriage and had been married 58 years to Harry until his death in January 2015 at the age of 92.
Tragically Mam contracted Corona Virus and passed away on March 29th 2020 aged 90.
She is deeply missed by her sons James Declan and Kieran and her daughter Maria. Her daughters in law Barbara and Sharon and her son in law Ray.
Her grandchildren Niamh Conor Sean Ciara Evan and Ryan and all her family and friends.
She was a truly wonderful generous and talented lady who was happiest when giving.
Maria Collins nee Callis (daughter)

© All Rights Reserved

It was confirmed that on the 29th February 2020 coronavirus the COVID-19 pandemic reached Ireland and within three weeks had spread to all counties around the world. The pandemic affected many aspects of society. On 12 March, the Irish Government shut all schools, colleges, childcare facilities and cultural institutions, and advised cancelling large gatherings. The St Patricks day festivals were called off. Our Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, addressed the nation that night.
91 Days has passed since the 29th February and it has affected so many people’s lives in every way. I hope to put a history of people’s experiences on how it has affected you, and I will create an album on the Ballyfermot and St Marks heritage photo site. This can be done by sending me photos, and your experiences through this time. I would like to add students thoughts on this also on how it has affected them. I can be contacted through Facebook or Twitter twitter.com/kenlarkin my email address is irishcraic@eircom.net Please Share

Ken

© All Rights Reserved