When my mother was born in the Border village of Magherarney, Co Monaghan, in September 1918, her godmother gave her a present of a beautiful, long, white christening robe.

It was a small, two-piece outfit. The outer robe was made from a delicate material with decorative stitching on the hem, neck and sleeves. The underskirt was plain white cotton. Tiny white buttons were sewn in place to close the back opening at the neck.

In those days babies were taken to the church to be christened a day or two after they were born. The father and grandparents usually accompanied the baby. Mothers were never able to attend the baptisms ,which must have been very hard on them.

As the years passed, the robe was used to christen all the other children born to my grandparents. Then it was used for all cousins as they arrived.

After each ceremony it was lovingly laundered and returned to its box, ready for the next call of duty.

All the neighbours and relations knew of our christening robe, and it was always in great demand. As many as 50 children have been christened in this precious garment. When asked, my mother was always ready to lend the robe, but was always relieved when the precious outfit was returned safely. After all, it had been bought for her.

My mother then gave it to me, and my children were all christened in it, as were all my siblings’ children. It was always a great topic of conversation when its age was disclosed. People marvelled at its condition and how it had been preserved over the years.

In recent times the demand for the robe has fallen off. Now babies are so much older when they are christened, and so the robe is too small for them. Mothers now want to be present at their babies’ christening. When my grandchildren came along, it was used for some of them. Now I have passed it on to my daughter. Will it go to the fourth generation? Only time will tell. But for the time being it is my precious family heirloom.

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