Death of Redmond O’Hanlon
It was not unusual for gentlemen of means, compelled to travel through that countryside, to seek a military escort.
Local Parlance
In the wake of the culvert explosion near his home, the Cross’ man was admitted to Daisy Hill Hospital for observation.
‘Did your bowels move yet?’ the staff nurse asked solicitously.
‘Bouls, is it?’ he roared.
‘Amn’t I tellin’ ye, the whole effin’ dresser came crashing to the flure?’
He thought she was referring to the breakfast crockery.
…
Close Shave: 3
Still shrouded in darkness I made my way across the
Canal towpath: final account
After the building and opening of the Ulster Farmers Bacon Factory sometime in…
Bagenal deaths
In 1567 Nicholas Bagenal eventually returned to favour with the English administration courtesy of friends in high places such as his patron Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester (Nicholas named one of his three sons Dudley) who himself was a friend of Queen’s favourite Sir Henry Sidney (a few times Lord Deputy of Ireland).
Mum’s Baking
I came upon this recently and reflected how true the sentiments and situation were for me and for generations before me. I don’t know the author.
‘The rain poured down in bucketfuls as I cycled home from college some four miles away from our cottage. It was a most welcome sight as I turned into the boreen leading to it. I threw my bike against the wall and ignored Shep’s welcoming barks. The warmth of the kitchen fire met me as I entered.
My tough childhood
Dear Agnes
Although I might now be described as middle-class (I own a period house [3 ‘sitting-rooms’!] in a rural setting (well, except that the countryside is dotted with similar mansions) a BMW and a Lexus – and a run around SUV of course) – there was a time when we had very little indeed.
Street Rhymes
Skipping, hop-scotch and juggling up to three balls against a wall were the exclusive pursuits of young girls in my day. All were accompanied by rhymes either short or long. I was envious that this ‘poetry’ was not for us boys, and gob-smacked that every girl knew them all by heart. I would be delighted if any older ‘girl’ who remembers those I do not, would contact the Journal with their words! Below are just a few that I do recall.
When I was young I had no sense
I bought a fiddle for eighteen pence
But the only tune that I could play
Was ‘Over the hills and far away’.
Lislea Drama Festival 2008
The Lislea Dr
Close Shave: concluded
The next day I set out once more with my camera to record what had happened to
The ‘Ragged’ School
This is the latest in our occasional series on hidden Newry. Can you identify the following home and the plaque which is erected just outside its front door?
