Free at last: The Coffin

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The time passed, and apart from the radio not a sound could I hear from the outside world. The darkness was all pervading.  I felt as if I were buried alive.

John Haugh: Home

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One could sit on the hob seat in the fireplace which was high, deep, rough and soot-encrusted. The flickering flames of the fire ………..

Broken Dreams

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There is grey in your hair.

Young men no longer suddenly catch their breath

When you are passing;

Paddy Boyle in Dromantee

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Eventually Paddy Boyle settled, in a way at least, into married life with his wife Lily. He continued to work for local farmers, but his pace weakened and his every step became like a genuflection.   He sent his wife Lily into Dundalk to beg.

High Street 1996

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The reader can compare this list with our previous one of a generation earlier. Even this, of just fifteen years ago, includes several old friends who has since passed on : Sean Hollywood and Ben Hughes are just two examples.

Oxymorons 2

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Oxymoron (sharp-stupid) is just one of many epigrammatical devices one of whose functions…

Earth Walker report 2

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In June 1999 I had travelled west to the city for my usual break. I wanted to see my friends who always had some sort of news about this, that and the other.  However on this occasion my usual hosts had gone on holiday and I therefore had no choice but to register at one of the local hotels.  After having journeyed seven hours on my motorcycle through the winding mountain roads, I was looking forward to a well-earned wash, dinner and a good sleep.


Labour Councillors of 60s

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That handsome hunk in the middle back is none other than Gerry Mulholland from The Meadow who you still see often walking on Hill Street.


Lug Bhan Fada

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Louth County Council is to be commended on its recent renovation work at this historic site.  Lug Bhan Fada or “The Long Woman’s Grave” now has car parking space (unfortunately, as yet, loose stone) and the following legend on granite in tribute to the Spanish Lady.


The Nation formed

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From the late 1820s to the early 1840s the Great Liberator Daniel O’Connell strode the political stage in Ireland and at Westminster, campaigning first for Catholic Emancipation and then for Repeal (of the Act of Union). By the latter date he was quite aged and represented ‘Old Ireland’.