Nurses and Midwives

Mary Ellen Coppinger, Moylough

Moylough Heritage Society - posted 2024

Mary Ellen Coppinger

Courtesy of Mary Dolan

Leaving Cert 1938

Courtesy Mary Dolan

The House of Recovery and Fever Hospital, Cork Street, Dublin. Certificate of Training 28th May 1942

Courtesy Mary Dolan

Central Midwives Board Examination Results Certificate 30th December 1947

Courtesy Mary Dolan

Mary Ellen is in the front, on the right

Courtesy Mary Dolan

A life committed to community:

Mary Ellen Connelly was born in Brierfield, Abbeyknockmoy on the 10^th November 1919, at a time when ‘’The Great Flu’’ was coming to an end. One of a family of 11 children, she grew up on the farm, in a very rural community, where she would have experienced the importance of caring for and helping neighbours. Mary Ellen attended Brierfield NS and the Presentation Secondary School, Tuam where she did her Leaving Cert in 1938. In the words of her daughter Mary Dolan, Mary Ellen’’ Just loved the books’’. Having completed her Leaving Cert she was determined to pursue a career in nursing.

GENERAL TRAINING:

In January 1939, Mary Ellen commenced her nursing training in The Fever Hospital, Cork St., Dublin. Having completed her three years training there, she gained her General Nursing Council of Ireland Nursing Certificate in 1942. But, because she was fever trained, she needed to complete her general nursing training. To do so she went to London in 1946. On arrival there, she was able to register as a qualified fever nurse. She also commenced her general nursing training at Bethnal Green Hospital, London in June of that year. While this was wartime London, Mary Ellen was fortunate in that Bethnal Green Hospital never had to treat war injured nor was it bombed. However, she had many vivid memories of what life was like in London during the war. She also spoke of the great respect there was for nurses at that time.

MIDWIFERY TRAINING:

Mary Ellen was interested in all aspects of nursing but midwifery and babies were her special areas of interest. In the words of her daughter, Mary: “She loved the babies”. After her general nursing training, Mary Ellen commenced her midwifery training in Sally Oak Hospital, Birmingham and was certified to practise as a midwife in 1947.

BACK TO IRELAND:

Mary Ellen was eager to return to Ireland. She successfully applied for a general nursing post in Roscommon County Hospital, and spent 18 months working there. A young nurse’s salary was then £122 per anum and £100 for emoluments. A vacancy for a district nurse occurred in Moylough and Mary Ellen applied for it. She was delighted when she was appointed and held this position for over 30 years. Like all district midwives at that time, Mary Ellen was given a bicycle and was paid a basic salary plus extra for call-outs. While most babies are and were born healthy, there were occasions when Mary Ellen had to call on the GP, usually Dr O’Beirne, to assist with a delivery or, if necessary, take the baby to hospital.

When Mary Ellen was appointed district nurse the Rural Electrification Scheme would not have been fully completed in the Moylough area. Neither would there have been running water in every house. Both of those factors would have meant that there were extra challenges for a public health nurse and also less comforts for mother and baby.
It was also a time when there were no pre-natal classes for mums -to-be, much less for mums and dads-to-be. First pregnancies then were as much of a journey into the unknown as they are today. Mrs Kathleen Fallon clearly remembers Mary Ellen’s guidance and advice through all the stages of her first pregnancy. She recalls being able to ask Mary Ellen everything and anything she needed to know. Mary Ellen attended Kathleen for the birth of her first baby in Kathleen’s home.

Kathleen remembers Mary Ellen as being ‘’ Just wonderful’’. AS Kathleen was recalling her memories of Mary Ellen it was obvious that her competency and skills brought a sense of calm into situations. This was a recurring theme among others who remembered Mary Ellen. In the days before First Responders Mary Ellen would have been sent for when medical emergencies occurred in families and here too brought all her experience, skills and abilities to bring comfort.
Mary Ellen’s son Tomás and daughter -in -law Bobby recall a story from their days as wedding photographers. They were photographers for a Traveller’s wedding. They met two grannies who recognised the name Coppinger and made the connection. The ladies remembered how they would always come to Moylough for the arrival of the baby. When Mary Ellen would arrive to deliver the baby she always had the cloth nappies and new baby clothes.
In 1970, with the establishment of The Health Boards the role of the district midwife came under the remit of The Western Health Board.

FAMILY LIFE:

Mary Ellen was first and foremost a wife and mother. In 1952, she married William Coppinger and together they had a family of five children. Continuing to work as a midwife meant that on occasions she would return home in the morning, after attending a night time delivery, to continue on with her own motherly duties. She also played a major role in running the family business of drapery shop, furniture store and public house with her husband William.

AFTER RETIREMENT:

Retirement from the public health system wasn’t retirement for Mary Ellen. Her innate sense of duty to community continued to shine through. She was a member of many community organisations including Moylough Social Services, Moylough ICA Guild and Moylough Apostolic Workers to name just a few. She was an enthusiastic golfer who understood the importance and value of sport for everyone.

Below are some of Mary Ellens Certificates and photos all courtesy of Mary Dolan.