At the age of 14 and following in his father's footsteps, Billy joined the Irish railway company, now known as CIE (Córas Iompair Éireann), as an apprentice fitter at their Inchicore Works.
During World War II, when his apprenticeship was completed, and as he was awaiting the offer of full time employment from the railway company, he travelled to Derry in search of work. Derry, being an American airbase during those years, offered plenty of opportunities for skilled people.
While in Derry, he met May McKinney and they went out together. When Billy returned to Dublin to take up his new position with the railway company, the relationship was put on the back burner. However, they kept in touch by letter and in 1949, some 10 years after their first meeting, they got married.
Billy and May had 4 children; Kathleen, Anne, John and Arthur. They lived in various parts of Dublin during their 41 years of married life, settling eventually in the suburb of Blanchardstown.
Billy retired from CIE in 1984, after 50 years service.
During World War II, when his apprenticeship was completed, and as he was awaiting the offer of full time employment from the railway company, he travelled to Derry in search of work. Derry, being an American airbase during those years, offered plenty of opportunities for skilled people.
While in Derry, he met May McKinney and they went out together. When Billy returned to Dublin to take up his new position with the railway company, the relationship was put on the back burner. However, they kept in touch by letter and in 1949, some 10 years after their first meeting, they got married.
Billy and May had 4 children; Kathleen, Anne, John and Arthur. They lived in various parts of Dublin during their 41 years of married life, settling eventually in the suburb of Blanchardstown.
Billy retired from CIE in 1984, after 50 years service.
At the age of 14 and following in his father's footsteps, Billy joined the Irish railway company, now known as CIE (Córas Iompair Éireann), as an apprentice fitter at their Inchicore Works.
During World War II, when his apprenticeship was completed, and as he was awaiting the offer of full time employment from the railway company, he travelled to Derry in search of work. Derry, being an American airbase during those years, offered plenty of opportunities for skilled people.
While in Derry, he met May McKinney and they went out together. When Billy returned to Dublin to take up his new position with the railway company, the relationship was put on the back burner. However, they kept in touch by letter and in 1949, some 10 years after their first meeting, they got married.
Billy and May had 4 children; Kathleen, Anne, John and Arthur. They lived in various parts of Dublin during their 41 years of married life, settling eventually in the suburb of Blanchardstown.
Billy retired from CIE in 1984, after 50 years service.
During World War II, when his apprenticeship was completed, and as he was awaiting the offer of full time employment from the railway company, he travelled to Derry in search of work. Derry, being an American airbase during those years, offered plenty of opportunities for skilled people.
While in Derry, he met May McKinney and they went out together. When Billy returned to Dublin to take up his new position with the railway company, the relationship was put on the back burner. However, they kept in touch by letter and in 1949, some 10 years after their first meeting, they got married.
Billy and May had 4 children; Kathleen, Anne, John and Arthur. They lived in various parts of Dublin during their 41 years of married life, settling eventually in the suburb of Blanchardstown.
Billy retired from CIE in 1984, after 50 years service.
