Places Archives | Page 9 of 37

At The Seaside: Gerry Monaghan

May 27, 2020June 19, 2019 by John McCullagh

6. Fun of the Fair

How bright the light is near the sea! We look down upon the fishing boats lying askew on the shining mud. Above these, the drunken tangle of wayward masts, around which graceful gulls glide, tirelessly wheeling, their hungry eyes questing, forever complaining as if they felt perpetually victimized.

A cargo boat sits on the wet sand, leaning slightly against the dockside, its rusty hull exposed to the ministrations of two crewmen with long brushes, in a never-ending struggle against the sea’s perpetual corrosion. But above all it is the strong, salty tang of decaying seaweed in the bracing air that proclaims the sea and its wide, bright, alien fascination.

Gerry Monaghan Part 3

May 27, 2020June 10, 2019 by John McCullagh

3. Radio Days

We lived, my parents, Edmund and I and baby Donal lived in a large rundown house on Bridge Street, owned by the McCartneys, who lived on the ground floor. We occupied the first floor, in what now would be called a flat.

Gerry Monaghan: The Start

May 27, 2020June 5, 2019 by John McCullagh

My first memories are of my mother – of her softness and warmth, her expressive face always beautiful to me, of her endearing, coaxing voice whose slightest irritated inflection would cause me dismay. She would exhort Edmund my elder brother by a mere two years, to ‘look after that child! Don’t let him get his feet wet!’ as we went out to play together.

Meadow Memories 4

May 27, 2020May 27, 2019 by John McCullagh

How did our parents manage to make us all feel important? My mum helped me when I was studying for the 11+. She was “expecting”. After the first few, all mum’s confinements were at home. The news was brought downstairs that the baby had been born. I rushed up to congratulate mum and see the new baby. I brought my books with me, and asked mum to help me again with my work.

So much for rest and recuperation.

And she did, though I don’t think she could see the pages too well!

Despite the large number of siblings in our house, I never remember feeling “left out”.

All these children are now grandparents in their own right!