In this episode of Muintir na Déise, we hear from Mairead Críostoir.

Each episode in this series features an individual who has been closely associated with or has lived all his/her life in Gaeltacht na nDéise.

This 2nd series of Muintir na Déise features people from An Rinn, Waterford's Gaeltacht.

The programmes are presented by Waterford and Ring native, broadcaster and writer Catherine Foley.

The participants tell their stories of growing up, finding work, getting married, rearing families as well as their beliefs, wisdom and reflections on life as it was lived in this corner of Waterford during the last century.

This all-Irish series celebrates their lives as well as showcase the wealth of Irish that is still spoken and used in the Ring and Old Parish Gaeltacht area.

About Mairead Críostoir.

Mairead, who was born in Castlecomer in Co Kilkenny, moved to Ring in 1974 after she had married Muiris Críostóir.

She recalls her childhood and her parents who came from west Cork to Co Kilkenny in 1926. It was there her father set up his export business.

When she was a child she remembers visiting her grandparents in West Cork and she says that it was here that she got to sample the old way of life. For example, going to the creamery on the back of a horse and cart.

In UCD she became more interested in Irish tradition and heritage.

It was at a céilí that she met her future husband architect Muiris Críostóir. When they married, they moved back to his home parish in the Gaeltacht in 1974 and reared their family here.

Máiréad was very involved in the community, a member of the ICA, and she was a maths teacher in Meánscoil San Nioclás.

She discusses the terrible effect suffering from Cancer had on her. Today she lives alone in the home that her husband designed.

To listen to the full conversation click the link in this podcast.

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