Old prams, Crafts and children in Ballybunion

Stephen's Green, Dublin 1967

(photo: Rare Irish Stuff)

Doesn't this lovely photo take you back. These old prams were great vehicles. Kate Middleton saw the value of them when she perambulated Charlotte in one.

I doubt the Princess of Wales appreciated the full merits of one of these to the mothers of yesteryear. As well as being well sprung and providing a comfy ride for baby, you could buy a tray to go underneath and you could bring home a week's shopping from a stroll around the town. Another accessory was a little wooden seat that you could perch on top and facing you. This could accommodate a toddler who had grown tired of toddling.

I well remember uses for this kind of pram when the family and cousins had outgrown it. The wheels could be removed to make a great boxcar.

We all have seen pictures of vendors in Moore Street and The Coal Quay transporting their wares to their stalls piled high in one of these prams. Up to recently I used to meet a lovely lady in the charity shops in Tralee coming with an empty pram and leaving with it full of her purchases.

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In Craftshop na Méar

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Halloween in Kerry 2015

All of my grandchildren came to Kerry for their school break and we had a ball. North Kerry is a super place when the sun shines. There is lots to do and I challenge anyone to find a better place to entertain children.

 The tide was very far out when we visited the beach.

Footprints in the sand… the beach was almost empty.

Roisín was literally and metaphorically in a world of her own.

Lots of seaweed, happy children and the shadow of a camera man.

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The Savage loves his Native Shore

There is something about the town where you grew up that pulls at the heartstrings long after you have left it. I am reminded of this often in the emails I get from blog followers, particularly from people who have no family left here. There are still ties that bind.

I was reminded recently by Marie Neligan Shaw of this poem by Longfellow …..

"Strange to me now are the forms I meet


When I visit the dear old town;


But the native air is pure and sweet,


And the trees that o'ershadow each well-known street,


As they balance up and down


Are singing the beautiful song,


Are sighing and whispering still:


"A boy's will is the wind's will,


And the thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts."

Even when the faces on the street are no longer familiar, there is something about the places that still sings to a deeper self  "and the thoughts of youth are long long thoughts." 
Listowel has lost too many of its familiar faces from its streets in 2015. We miss them all.

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Tullamore School 1910

They appear to be all boys. I'm presuming that the girls had a photo taken as well. Below is the same school in 1973.

The photos were sent to me by John A Hegarty. They are from Ballydonoghue Magazine…a great resource for emigrant and native alike.


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Rattoo by Aidan Harrington