A Denny’s Christmas Memory

by Tony Hennessy, M.A.G.I.

For December Image of the Month I’ve chosen a festive photo from my own family album. The photo was taken at the Denny’s Christmas party, in 1966 or 1967 I reckon. That’s me – the little lad in front left, aged 3 or 4 or maybe 5, wearing my paper hat and looking a little warily at the photographer. My sister and brother are directly behind me. Three first cousins are there too.

I remember that party specifically because Santy gave me a present of wooden blocks in a wooden box with a sliding lid, which I loved. The blocks included arches and little fancy pillars and door and window blocks. Much enjoyment was had. Maybe it was the first step towards my subsequent life in the architectural world….

My dad Paddy Hennessy, a carpenter, worked in the maintenance department at Dennys for some years. Henry Denny & Sons, bacon curers & exporters, were a big employer in Waterford since 1820. The company expanded operations to Cork and Limerick in the 1870s and then continued into Germany, Denmark and Russia followed by branches in Sweden, the US, Australia and New Zealand in the early 20 th Century.

In 1933 Dennys won the gold medal for their sausages at the International Food Fair in Manchester – and Denny’s Gold Medal Sausages have been a staple ever since. The original gold medal is actually on display in Waterford Museum of Treasures!

Dennys closed their operations in Waterford City on 3 rd March 1972 – but I’ll happily continue the association here now with a few Dennys sausages for my tea. Happy Christmas to you one and all.