Patsy goes to Rhode, 1963

Posted 25/Sept/2026 – by P.V McGann

After completing my Leaving Cert in June 1963, at the age of 18, I set out job hunting. 80 stamps costing a pound were bought and applications sent to all potential employers around Newbridge and surrounding areas.

Well over 90% did not reply, but of the few that did, a handful turned out successful. A role in Bord na Mona felt a good fit and in early July of 1963, I started in the stores in Newbridge; as a Trainee Technical Checker with a salary of £6.00 a week.

Gaining Experience

After 2 weeks I was sent to Ballydermot works to learn
how parts were handled. It could often take up to 24 hours to get a part delivered to a machine that was out on the bog and the failure to send the correct unit could mean serious delays.

This gave me a good insight into the workings of BNM, as Ballydermot was a sod turf production, there was plenty happening to learn and pick up info on.

ESB
While there I was invited for an interview by ESB. Two vacancies needed to be filled; one in the station in Arigna, Roscommon and one in the new Station in Rhode, Co Offaly.

A week after the interview, I received an offer from ESB for a job as a Laboratory assistant based in the station in Rhode. My Leaving Cert results showed honors in Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Science, so the Lab seemed a suitable road to follow.

Moving on
I gave notice to BNM and agreed to start in Rhode on Monday 31 Dec 1963. The logistics of getting there covering travel or lodging was up to myself.

A few days before starting work I made the decision to visit Rhode and set off “thumbing” my way. I took the route from, Newbridge, through Rathangan and onto Edenderry. The lack of lifts on the day surprised me, but I got there in the end.

First impressions

After about 4 hours I made it to the power station and walked in. It was the week between Christmas and New year so staff numbers were low. I rambled around and after about 15/20 minutes a gentleman stopped me
and inquired who I was.

I explained about starting in the lab the following Monday, needed to check travel time where to go etc. He was deputy general manager and advised normal starting time was 9.00am.

He kindly gave me permission to be late on my first day and said if I made it by midday it would be acceptable. Discussions at home varied from hiring a taxi to visiting on Sunday to see if local accommodation was available.

I made the decision to travel on my trusty 3 speed bicycle. After all it was only about 35 miles and I was allowed to be late.

Dec 31 1963 the big day
Mother prepared a hearty breakfast and it was decided I would leave at 7.00 am. This would allow me time to search for a place to stay and to check the journey in case I needed to return home at the end of my day’s work.

First stop was JKL street in Edenderry which lasted about 3 minutes and didn’t show any luck in securing digs. I continued onwards with my head down and I finally arrived in the village of Rhode around X time.

I was delighted my journey was nearly over as I got the road entrance to the campus, but felt a bit surprised that I still had a journey down what felt like the longest avenue to the actual station.

On my arrival the senior lab assistant Stephen Hyland was very helpful and offered advice re accommodation.

Mrs Murphy in the cottages on the opposite side to the Power Station took lodgers. Someone noted only that morning she took in 2 builders labourers. Luckily she had a small single room still available which was perfect.

Settling in
Full board was 12 Shillings per day, so half my new salary of £7.00 pounds, before stamp and tax were deducted, was already spent.

My first night away from home was strange to me, unlike kids nowadays, no sleepovers were ever held in Pairc Muire, nor had we spent time away from home.
No TV but an old radio in the corner was constantly on, Radio Eireann was the only station on offer.

Working away
Laboratory staff were John Cunningham, Chemist, Stephen Hyland, Lab assistant, Mick Carey Dalystown Westmeath and Gabriel Haughton Rhode.

Soon after I arrived Gabriel resigned and Martin Heavy replaced him. The laboratory was state of the art and work was as one might expect.

Water ‘PH to be taken on arrival and 3 more times during the day. A variety of ovens were available and their main purpose was to check moisture and ash content of the peat arriving into the station.

Village Life

My first job at lunch time Monday was to go to the Post Office and send a letter home to advise all well
and I should be home by 8.00pm on Friday.

That first trip to the Post Office was defiantly not my last. A kind and beautiful young woman behind the counter gave me enough reason to volunteer to bring any post coming out of the lab up.

In my third week in the village, my alleged reason for visiting the shop was to buy the previous Sunday’s newspaper as a car was the Fashion Competition’s prize.

My luck was out that day, as the shop owner was the one behind the counter, he served me and then more or less said “out”.

I returned to the digs only to meet a nephew of Mrs Murphy there. He wanted me to go with him to a dance in Killucan, about 20 miles away.

My excuse for not going was that I was doing the fashion Competition.

He had a Morris Minor car, so he completely understood.

Deadline

I completed the competition and left it in my room. On Friday I decided to revisit the Post Office as I knew Molly would be working. My luck was in and we chatted a bit, she asked me if I had posted my competition entry?

I said no, as I understood I had missed the deadline and it would be too late for the 1st post on Saturday morning, which was the cut off.

She explained that all posts collected up to 5.30 pm on Friday were delivered in the first post on Saturday.
I bought a postal order and stamp, ran back to the digs, assembled the lot and returned to the Post Office. With a few minutes to spare I passed over my envelope and promptly forgot the matter.

Sunday morning 19 January 1964
I had cycled home on the Friday after work and the weekend was looking good. I was with two class mates from school, as we left 7.30 mass in Newbridge Church.

We strolled over the bridge and suddenly the local Sacristan came towards us. He shouted “there he goes now with his car” Followed by “That was you who won the car?”

I realised immediately as I had told nobody in Newbridge that I had even entered the competition.

The newsagent where I had also worked was less than 100 yards from the bridge.

I would say that I set a new record for the distance from the Bridge to the shop. Safe to say it was in fact me who won the car.

Sadly I have never won a car since.