Twenty years in Roumania

An Irish schoolmistress set out for Bucharest in 1889, drawn by tales of an “Oriental” landscape and the promise of a teaching career. Armed with fluency in French and German, she secured a post with a prominent family and quickly found herself immersed in the rhythm of Romanian life—its bustling markets, festivities and the warm hospitality of neighbours. Her letters capture the thrill of navigating a country little known to her friends back home, while hinting at the challenges and charms of adapting to a new culture.

Over two decades she built lasting bonds with pupils and locals, observing customs with affectionate humor and a respectful eye. The memoir blends vivid descriptions of everyday scenes—from river floods to lively street gatherings—with reflections on the resilient spirit she saw in her friends during tumultuous times. Listeners will hear a candid, heartfelt portrait of a nation seen through the eyes of a curious outsider who came to love it as a second home.