This is my Grandad, taken at Mum and Dads wedding in 1954. He must have gone back down to Galway again after the Wedding. Must ask Mum but probably another long story there. Although nearly 10 years had passed since the end of World War II, the 50's was still an austere time and money was still scarce and it was still difficult to buy things we take for granted. One of the things Dad did tell me was when Mum and Dad bought the house in Cherryfield, the full price was about 2,200 Pounds and there was a grant of 200 pounds from the County Council. that left a Council loan repayable over 35 years at the princely sum of 7 pounds and 7 shillings and an few pence a month . At than time I think the average wage was about 12 pounds a week and I dont know what the going rate in the Civil Service was. I think 2 pounds a week was a lot at the time, a new car was about 600 pounds and a loaf of bread about 'thruppence' and a 'single' of chips 4 pence. In those day a penny went a long way and the penny could be further broken up as we had 'Farthings as well.
I have finally got a scanner at home so I hope to do some scanning of some 1950's photographs from the Maguire Archive of Memories. Also going to get Mum to write some memories from the 50's, the Wedding, buying the house, everyday things. Just to get some memories before they are forgotten.
P.S. in the previous post the photograph is the actual shop in Watergate, Kilkenny and that a very young Auntie Maureen at the front door. Somehow it looks rather American or something like a picture from the depression of the 1930's. Dont know why i think that but there you go!
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