Contributed by Ann Smart
The McArdle family live in Courtbane, in the parish of
Upper Creggan, which spans the border of South Armagh
and North West Louth. Their family history dates back to
the late 17th century. The earliest known ancestor, Fergus
McArdle (1740-1785), is buried in Creggan graveyard. The
family lineage can be traced back to the 1600s when they
became sub-chiefs under the O’Neills. The McArdle family
farm is listed in Griffith’s Valuation, published between
1847 and 1864. Over the years, Ann’s father, John Harry
McArdle, expanded the family holdings by purchasing
neighbouring farms as their occupants emigrated to
the USA or passed away. He was one of eleven children:
Four siblings emigrated to the USA in the 1930s. John
Harry moved to Birkenhead, Liverpool, for a short period,
where he was conscripted into the Fire Brigade during
World War II. After being granted two weeks’ leave, he
returned home to Courtbane, but never returned to the
UK until the 1980s. John Harry married his neighbour,
Cissy “Mary Ellen” Agnew, also from Courtbane. Cissy’s
parents, James Agnew and Susan Thornton, have roots
in Courtbane dating back to the 1800s. John Harry and
Cissy set up home in the Agnew family home, they were
both very successful, working hard in many aspects of
farm life, including agricultural, livestock and dairy. Cissy
worked with the dairy herd, whilst John was concerned
with beef, cattle and pigs. Together, they had 10 children
and 28 grandchildren living locally, apart from their
daughter Ann, who emigrated to England in the 1960s.
The McArdle family experienced the complexities of living
near the border, with smuggling stories woven into their
history. The family farm was only 500 metres from the
border on the road leading to the republican stronghold
of Crossmaglen. The onset of the Troubles in the 1960s
saw the arrival of the British Army and the militarisation
of this rural area. This saw the introduction of Army
checkpoints and eventually watchtowers erected on
private land along the border and in Crossmaglen. Cissy
was a staunch Republican. Ann recalls people coming
and going at strange hours and clandestine activity.
Ann left Ireland in October 1968 after her dreams of
agricultural studies were thwarted by family expectations
and financial constraints. She traveled to England via
train and boat accompanied by her brother Harry. They
arrived in Bromley, Kent, at 7 am to attend an interview
in Bromley Hospital in the hope of gaining a place to
train as a radiographer with little more than £20 and a
one-way ticket. Ann was told she would be notified of
the outcome in a week at the interview, but Ann needed
to know immediately, as there was no alternative plan
in place. So she sat in the hospital all day while the
interview panel made decisions. Luckily, Ann passed
the interview and began her training in a career in
the NHS as a radiographer, a role she embraced.
Unlike other cities, no other Irish women worked
alongside her and in the early 1970s, she often
encountered the challenges of being an Irish immigrant
during the Troubles. Her accent marked her as an
outsider, and she faced discrimination. This could
be seen, for example, in how patients sometimes
refused her care, citing anti-Irish sentiment. On visits
home, Ann was aware of the Republican comingand-
going activity around the family farm.
Ann married Dennis, an Englishman; together, they built a
life in Rochester and had two boys, Neil and Nigel. There
wasn’t an Irish community in Strood Rochester, so Ann’s
friends were primarily English. They lived a very English
life with no Irish community in the area. Dennis was very
sporty and involved in cricket, so family life revolved
around the local clubs. At times, Ann was a cricket and golf
widow. Her neighbour Fred was a lovely old gentleman.
He had fought in the Second World War and was very
knowledgeable with excellent recollections on historical
events. He was very fond of the two boys and would often
care for them. He was like a grandfather to them and
greatly supported Ann when the children were young.
Ann persevered with her commitment to education, driven
by a deep love of learning and a strong commitment
to patient care. Like many women at this time, she
encountered sexism as she strove to balance her
career ambitions with the challenges of motherhood.
Women constantly had to prove themselves in the
workplace, but Ann’s expertise silenced doubters.
Whilst bringing up her children Ann gave up her job to
care for them until they reached school age. To help her
understand child upbringing in an urban environment
she studied for a preschool teaching qualification and
established a childcare facility, enabling her to have a
career while caring for her sons. Deeply committed to
continuing her education, Ann subsequently trained in
ultrasound, a then-emerging field, and later became
a Clinical Consultant in Radiology at Guy’s Hospital,
London. This was a rare achievement for a woman in
that era. One pivotal moment came when she identified
a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy missed by others,
saving a patient’s life which earned her a newfound
respect amongst her work colleagues. She continued
her studies in radiology, improving her skills and
expertise through studying at South Bank University,
King’s College Hospital, and City University in London,
where she gained a Master’s degree in Medical Science.
Undeterred, Ann earned further credentials in psychiatry,
psychology, and counselling, continually expanding
her skills. As her knowledge grew, colleagues sought
her expertise and consultants trusted her diagnoses.
Ann also volunteered to work abroad, training military
Tamil medics in war-torn Sri Lanka, where she set up
ultrasound programmes in makeshift field hospitals
after the tsunami. She also mentored students and
volunteered, teaching English to immigrants and
supporting young mothers through preschool initiatives.
Ann continued volunteering after retiring, proving
her dedication to care never wavered. Her career
stands as a testament to the unsung heroes of the
NHS—immigrants, many of whom were Irish women,
and those who turned adversity into purpose.
Ann visited home regularly and eventually bought a house
near the family home. However, due to illness and the
arrival of grandchildren in England, she never realized her
dream of moving back home permanently, though she still
visits regularly. Her sons are proud of their Irish heritage.