Carl Rudolf Oppermann

CLICK TO VIEW PICTURE OF: CARL, RUDOLF OPPERMANN AND HIS WIFE MARY

Carl was the eldest child of Wilhelm and Sophia Oppermann. He trained to be a pastry chef in Neuchatel, Switzerland. Following this he undertook his military service with the Swiss Army and in 1910 he moved to work in England at the Grand Hotel in Buxton. He came on a holiday to Ireland on a cheap fare when the King of of England was visiting Dublin. During this visit he met Mary Farrell at a dance in Dublin. They were married in 1913 and opened a pastry shop in Camden Street at the back of which was a tearoom. At the outbreak of the war Carl returned to Switzerland for a period of 6 months to do military service. While Carl was away doing his military service Mary ran the shop. However, with the name over the door people thought the family were German and the windows in the shop were broken on a regular basis. On his return to Ireland with the shortage of ingredients for his bakery the business folded up.

He then went to work as a Chef in Jammets Restaurant, Nassau Street following which he went to Jury’s Hotel in Dame Street. He then took the position of Head Chef in the newly opened Gresham Hotel on O Connell Street. Following this during the war years he went to Scotland to work for the American Army and Navy. He came back, having being injured, and worked in various places until his semi retirement.

Mary and himself lived with her parents 27 Synge Street as the Farrells’ had a very big house. Sophie, Johnny and Frances were born there. Following this they moved to a house in Rathmines called Homeville. Maureen, Willy and Carl were born while they were living in Homeville. Some years later they went to live in 16 Kennilworth Square.

Mary Farrell was a keen entertainer, herself and Carl were well known for their parties, which were held on regular occasions. People regularly visited the house and they had annual New Years Eve and Fancy Dress parties.

Carl was a very quiet and compassionate man, he loved animals in particular birds and dogs. Carl had canaries, love birds and a dog called mutz. Once a month he would have his Swiss friends, Messrs. Beaumann, Weirst and Gigax over to the house to play a card game called Yoss. Carl liked to walk and go to the Cinema.