Crimmins’ had a drapery store further up the street on the left, where pedestrians are walking two abreast. In this vicinity was the flats that was the first married home of Rhoda (Hughes) and John Patton – later to live, until now, in Derrybeg – and Kevin and Josephine Woods, soon to move to The Meadow. Terry Murphy’s pub had a stables attached, for the convenience of mounted customers! Remember Wee Mickey, his barman – ‘Shure! Shure!’
From the railway crossing to the Monaghan Row roundabout may be termed Upper Monaghan Street. In 1975 there were still seventeen families residing there.
The McAlinden’s was originally a Home bakery. Mrs McAlinden later moved to Belfast. Some Crawleys had a Grocers in Canal Street. Pat is today bursar in the Abbey Grammar School. May and Jack Doyle’s pub was at the head of the street (Railway Bar). Their wedding photo features in the book just referred to, Turn Any Stone. The street list then jumps back to the Railway Crossing to begin the even numbers of Upper Monaghan Street. Hugh Gorman’s Hairdressers was then still in the charge of his father, Jack. John McParland raised a large family next door, Derek, Grainne and Teresa’s names spring to mind.
The Bradys were cattle dealers. Gerry McParland – the hardware store – was next. Sandy McNeill, whose fields in The Meadow featured in Meadow Memories, lived near the junction with Monaghan Row and the Aiken’s and Rodgers’ families complete the list.