An almshouse for widows was built in Limerick in
1605, shortly after the famous siege of the city. It was part of charitable
efforts to take care of the city’s vulnerable citizen, which also included
building schools and orphanages.
The almshouse was still in operation in 1962, housing 22
widows. By that time, the building had fallen into disrepair; it was damp,
suffering from dry rot, and had no light or running water. The widows had to
use oil lamps and collect water from an outside pump, despite their age – the
oldest resident was 93 years old.
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| The Widows' Almhouse, Limerick 28 March 1962 |
After a bitter winter in 1961/62, a local publican called
Michael Crowe set up the Widow’s Light Fund Committee to raise money to finance
the installation of electricity in the almshouse. Installation would cost £120,
and Mr Crowe encouraged his punters to pay an extra penny on the cost of their
pint towards the fund.
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| Raising a glass for the Widows' Light Fund |
Crowe’s customers were only too happy to oblige, and word
soon spread about the fund. Money began to pour in from across the country, and
soon £150 was raised. This was more than enough for the installation of the
electricity but that was no problem for Crowe – he arranged to take the widows
out for dinner with the leftover money.
On the morning that the electricity was installed in the
almshouse, the widows were all whisked away to dinner at the restaurant at
Shannon airport. None of the widows had seen the airport building, and many
hadn’t even left their street since they had moved into the almshouse.
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| Bridget Riordan lighting her oil lamp 28 March 1962 |
After the dinner, there was a dance at the airport and the
widows were in demand as dance partners, especially 93-year-old Bridget
Riordan. When they returned home afterwards, they found the almshouse blazing
with light. The ESB technicians had slaved all day to get the lights installed
before the widows came home.
Bridget Riordan told the Limerick Leader that while she was
delighted with the electric light, she would keep her oil lamp “just in case”.
A wise woman!
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