On Santanta’s instigation I took another look recently at Bill Cullen’s ‘It’s a Long Way from Penny Apples’. A decade old now, it feels as if it’s of another age. And it tells of another earlier age, the 40s and 50s in working-class Dublin.
Characters
Brendan Cassidy: Teacher and Friend
There has always been a unique relationship between Ireland and France. For centuries Irishmen served the Fleur-de-Lys by the sword and in so doing sought to serve the shamrock. Irishman Brendan Cassidy served France …
Lovely Welrex Ladies
On a recent trip home Austin Golding supplied Journal with a number of old photos. The one below caught my fancy!
Brendan Cassidy, Ex Abbey Teacher
Just now I received an email from an old friend, advising me of the passing of our former Abbey French teacher of the early 60s … and I was carried back …
Kieran Rowantree RIP
Few families anywhere – much less in Newry of the 50s-60s – were as large as ours, but that of close neighbours, the Rowantrees of Monaghan Row was one such. Remarkably too, James Rowantree was a baker in McCanns, as was my dear dad Sonny.
Tramp class again!
From the papers of 100 years ago we read the following:
“Two tramps of the most objectionable class have been creating fun around Newry for the last few days.
Ben Hughes RIP
It is with great sadness and regret that I announce the death of Mr. Eamon Benedict (Benny) Hughes, one of Newry’s great ‘High Street’ characters.
Ben died following a short illness at Daisy Hill hospital on Sunday 21st March.
Horrocks Weavers
These lovely ladies worked in Horrocks Clothing Factory on the Warrenpoint Road some 55 years ago. Do you remember any of these faces? The names are reproduced below!
Thirty years old now!
The occasion in 1985 was my daughter Judith’s seventh birthday party. Besides my son (back, right) I recognise only Sarah (with balloon), daughter of Dear Ed and mother of Naomi.