Local faces – Jimmy McLoughlin

Jimmy McLoughlin has spent recent years living in Citywest and is now a resident of the TLC nursing home in the area. He’s 91 years-of-age and shared his story with The Echo.

I was born in Dorset Street in June, 1927. Both of my parents died within six weeks of each other from TB when I was only two years old.

I was looked after by my Aunty Aggie and Uncle Jimmy who lived in Cabra and I was the youngest of four siblings. My sisters Lizzie and Bridie and brother John have all passed away now.

When I was seven I went to the ‘Artane School’, it was a Christian Brothers residential school.

When I was 16, the Brothers got me my first job working as a porter in the Mater Hospital. I stayed here until the day I retired.

I met my wife Annie in the Mater. She worked in the domestic department and it was love at first sight. Annie was from County Mayo.

After we got married in Berkley Road church on a rainy day we moved to a room in Synott Place on the fifth floor.

Eventually, thanks to the help of some good friends, we moved out of the room and into a house in Ballyfermot for three years before being transferred to a new house in Finglas.

Annie passed away 58 years after we married and together we had four children – Geraldine, Sarah, Bridie and Thomas.

I have great grandchildren now and I’m so proud of them all.

When I was young I used to love cycling. I cycled all around Ireland with a few lads and we’d have tents and supplies strapped to the bikes. I saw most of Ireland this way.

I also loved dancing and snooker.

I came to TLC in Citywest in May 2017. I usually get up early. I like to watch TV and walk by myself with my rollator.

Sometimes I’ll go and sit in front of the entrance gate to TLC in the sun for awhile and then back to my room. I like a nap in the afternoon.

I have visitors almost everyday and sometimes I’ll go out with my daughter for a drive.

I also like to socialise with other residents and enjoy all of the functions and family get-togethers that the staff organise.I also go to mass in TLC. 

All images by Aidan O’Neill 

All in all, I have lived through some hard times in my life but overall, I have had a good life and some very happy times.