Mount Congreve retirement presentation, autumn 1964 – (from left) Jimmy Power, Willie Power, Tony Hanrahan, Tony Smith, Joe O’Dowd, Ambrose Congreve, Pierce Dunne, Hannah Aulsberry, dairymaid – retiring after 45 years’ service, Dick O’Shea, ‘Munster Express’ editor J.J. Walsh, Mrs Congreve, Mattie Walsh, Ambrose Murphy, Pakie O’Brien, Dixie Larkin.

Hannah, from Whelans Bridge, Kilmeaden, was presented with a replica of a 17th-century hall clock to mark her “wonderful service” to the estate since being taken on by Major John Congreve at the end of the First World War.

Mount Congreve farm prided itself for generations on having superior dairy cows, which, of course, it could well afford. It had a celebrated Jersey herd, imported from England and the Channel Islands, and also pedigree Friesians. The dairy mostly sold its high-grade milk through selected retailers in Waterford city.

The dairymaid’s job was a skilled one, but very manually tough too. Her days began early and ended late. Aged 66 when she finally hung up her milking apron, sadly Hannah only had four years of retirement to enjoy, passing away in October 1968.