Athea revisited and Princess Mary Tins

Athea, Co. Limerick

I could look at the Athea forge mural forever. When I visited last week it had progressed a good bit. It is absolutely fascinating to watch the forge scenes from my childhood come to life on a local wall. The life size animals and men are captured brilliantly by artist, Jim Dunn.

This looks to me like a seed drill. I am proud to say that I have operated such a machine. I can't wait to see this one finished.

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A Christmas treat during WW1

As British servicemen were mobilised en masse in late 1914, the nation prepared itself for Christmas at war. Facing the very real prospect of hundreds of thousands of British men spending the festive season away from their families, the 17 year old Princess Mary took it upon herself to create a Sailors’ and Soldiers’ fund that would raise funds to provide every service man and woman with a Christmas gift to remind them they hadn’t been forgotten. 

Dubbed the Princess Mary Tin , the gift was a brass tin that contained a variety of gifts. Tobacco, writing sets, cigarettes and chocolate all featured, with a photo of the princess inside every one of the 2 million tins produced.          (Photos and text: FindmyPast on Twitter)

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Slí na Sí

The Fairy trail is now even more inviting as all the tall weeds have been cut back.

Another burden of worries left at the worry tree.

Róisín spotted all the birds' nests high above us .

We checked in on the animals in the pet farm at O'Halloran's Garden Centre

All doing well and enjoying a rare sunny day outdoors

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The staff of Dr. Enright's dentist's The Square Listowel sometime in the 1950's  (photo from Listowel thread on Boards.ie)