2007 More news

No new stories just an update really. Plans for House Hunting in France were delayed due to a lenghty delay in sale of a property in Ireland. Now that is sorted out the plan is to go on a couple of holidays to France and have another look around. Hope to have some new 'old' tales soon. Mum has been writing away and sent one story in for a writing competition. That story is still 'embargoed' at the moment.
Sundays for as long as I have been driving have been an excuse to bring Mum and Dad when he was still with us for a short drive or occasional trip on the 'DART' The other Sunday we drove to Booterstown Station and parked the car outside. Mum has free travel for herself and luckily I go free as well. The first DART train that arrived was completly full, mainly of Rugby supporters going to an International. So full was the train that we didnt get on. In fact when the doors opened there was no room. We got a later DART to Malahide Village. Malahide is a nice seaside place and we have been going there for more years than I care to remember. I can remember going as a child with my Uncle and Aunt. Once we walked down to Uncle Matts house, about 2 miles away and we then walked further to get a long forgotten Bus which went directly to the Village in Malahide. Then main things I can remember was getting one of those cardboard aeroplane kits in a sweet shop and having chips, bread and butter, and lemonade on the beach. By the time we had our meal and paddled about at the little beach it was almost time to go home.
The most recent visit was rather quicker to get there and we went for a stroll to the sea front and then back to a Pub for something to eat. Much of Malahide has been re developed, not all good but one thing I like is a sculpture by Niall O'Neill. I worked for a few years with the Sculptors Society of Ireland and Niall was at the time Chairman. Being an artist usually means a bit of a bohemian lifestyle, sometimes laidback. And Niall is no diffferent. Funny enough although the SSI was a rather laidback place to work I always felt more work was done there than any other place I have worked, the friendly athmosphere seemed to encourage work and many worthwhile art projects were undertaken, especially in schools and exhibitions etc.
If you ever find yourself on hols in Dublin, a short day trip to Malahide is recomended, and have a look at Nialls sculpture too, best enjoyed by geting fish and chips in the local takeaway and sit in the little park and admire the view.

2007

Making holiday plans for 2007. In 2003 Mum and I went to Switzerland and Mum said she enjoyed that travelling holiday the most. Had a good look at my map of Switzerland and those Swiss Rail Journeys Videos made me look to the Northern corner of the country. It can be very expensive so the first thing to do is to get acccomodation in advance. Luckily the Swiss have several websites including www.bnb.ch, which lists inexpensive accomodation on a interactive map. After sending few emails I got a reply from Zurich of 2 rooms with Breakfast for less than 35 euros per night. Also made sure it was easy to get from the railway station. In fact Zurich Trams go right in front on the B and B so no long walks back after excoursions. Zurich itself is supposed to be boring but I will make my own mind of that, its at the very least well located and its built on a lake with several boat trips to other towns. Also its within an hour of Lucerne, St Gallen, Lake Constance and other less well known places. Booked the Airplane tickets already to get a good price, 150.00 return. I used to work for The Red Cross and the fare to Switzerland used to be 600 pounds. That was until Ryanair kicked Aer Lingus into reality. havnt booked them yet but buying a 'Swiss Pass' for 200 euro gives a weeks travel on all Trains, Buses, trams, funiculars and even Boats all over Switzerland. Food can be very expensive so as last time will do our own snacks and for example in Lucerne we found a roof Top Cafe-Restaurant that was more than adequate and still less than about 10 euro for a lunch time meal. I must post some more photos of the last visit to Switzerland.

Porto Traditional Boats

Cafe World

The Majestic Cafe was opened in the 1920's and hasn't changed much since. The dark red leather seats are well worn but still perfectly comfortable, The tables also seemed original, unlike the famous Bewleys Cafes in Dublin the tables dont wobble!. There are a number of similar cafes in Porto. For those looking for Bars or Public Houses, Porto doesn't have many. Parts of Porto are very run down, some Shops/Offices are in a ruinous state and in need of renovation. Much of the roads, and footpaths have been replaced and perhaps the many ruined buildings will be next. Much of the inner city is a Unesco World Heritage site and perhaps property has to be restored using traditional building and perhaps individuals cant afford expensive renovation or restoration. More to follow

Oporto

Arrived back today from Porto, Portugal. The holiday began arriving at Oporto Airport. A fairly new and modern Airport and apart from the usual long walks it has a brand new Metro/Tram connection bring you right into Trinidade Metro station where several lines meet. The Hotel Malaposto was easy enough to find, however it was a long walk mostly uphill and Oporto has a one way traffic system which made it difficult to access the Hotel by Bus. The boring, to some bits first. Yes there is a modern new Metro system with 5 Lines and also you could see new old tramlines being put down for a Heritage Tram. There is already a very old tram line running along the North quay which makes a nice trip to the sea side (well a short walk further along) and again you can follow about 3 Km of tram lines due to be re opened after years of neglect. Talking to an English guy running a shop it has taken 5 years to put the rails down, almost as long as it took to build the new Metro system. Most of the shops and Cafes seem to be in a bit of a time warp. Coffee can cost as little as 50 cent and a bowl of soup 80c. But maybe not Haute Cuisine is on offer. On the first day apart from going on the old tram we also hopped on a bus which eventually reached a little beach called Madalena. Even in October it was like a warm Irish Summer day. The bus trip was not for the fainthearted and the driver was blowing his horn around each twisty corner and shouting at motorists around him. On the bus we met an English Couple who had just arrived by car and caravan and they also couldn’t believe the roads and relayed the nightmare journey driving a car and caravan to their camping site ( Only mad Englishmen drive caravans in the midday sun?)
On another day we went on a short boat trip along the city quays with a supposed free trip thrown in to a local Port tasting trip. However the free drink of port was really a con and left a sour taste in the mouth (sick joke sorry). We also visited several cafes and one famous one the 'Majestic' stood out. Mum noticed there were at least 3 'Ernest Hemingway' types in the cafe and several people writing letters and passing a whole afternoon over coffee. We also visited Mac Donalds which in Oporto was previously a Cafe rather like the Majestic and the 'art Deco' interior was retained plus they still do nice coffee and local soup. More to follow........

Next Trip

Have just booked flights and accommodation for a short break in Porto, Portugal. Amazingly flights were only 55 euro including stupid 10 euro charge for paying by Visacard ( Thanks to Ryanair for the 2 cent flights, the rest is supposed to be charges and fees) Alpha rooms.com had plently of 3 star hotels and I chose one for 30 euro per night which came well reccomended. Portugal certainly is still an inexpensive destination. Getting from the Airport will be simple as there's a new Tram/Metro which pulls up directly outside the terminal. Apart from going around Porto itself, which will be easy due to its mew Metro and tourist Trams, we hope to go up the Douro valley, on train and a boat trip. The river Duero is where sailing ships used to race one another to rush the new years wine to the Port for distribution. The term 'Port' probably comes from this but haven't checked it out yet in case I'm completely mistaken. Have got a good few articles on the region and seems to be a lot to do and see there.

COB-H

My Grandad, Francis Maguire was a Carpenter and travelled around Ireland working in Shipyards as well as Furniture Makers, Shop fitters. In the early 20th Century he followed the work, the rest of the family stayed in Kilkenny. One of the shipyards he worked in was Haulbowlin near Cobh, Co Cork. Cobh has along association with ocean liners especially and the little Port has many connections with the Titanic, The Lusitania and other Liners. Grandad actually worked on the Titanic and another of his stories was that the British were unable to pronounce the word Cobh. Phonetically the 'b' is not used so its sounds like 'cove'.
However in England its always been Cob, H, as in corn on the COB with a heich at the end. During WWII the little town of YYpres in Belgium was unpronounable to many Soldiers so the town was renamed as ''Wipers'' the proper pronounciation sounding something like 'Yeep' Not of that I speak the "queens english'' myself. Apologies as well for any wrong spellings, incorrect use of english or grammar here as sometimes as we say in Dublin, I just can't be 'arsed"

Part II Guns & Roses

With trembling voices Kathleen and Maddie began their favorite Duet “ The night winds are sighing and fast gather around us
The moonbeams are gleaming and brightly light the vale.’’
The sergeant appeared. “That’s enough of this mullarkey. Get along there, you young wans, and let us get on with our business’’.
The two girls took off as fast as was seemly, with their knees knocking from fright. At the same time, not wanting to seem to be too hasty, in case it looked too suspicious.

They hung over over the half door of the blacksmith, at the bottom of Cork Street, until they got their breath back. The proceeded to the Convent at Weaver Square.
When they reached the Convant, the Reverand Mother heard their story and took the music case and said she would have the Gardener bury it in the Rose Garden.
The girls breathed a sigh of relief and went home to the Maisie to tell her all.

Epilogue

Maddie was my Mother. Maisie was a local Dublin name for Mother. So Maisie was my Grand Mother. Kathleen was my Auntie. The Grain Store in Ardee Street is still there, unused, but I swear I can still smell the grain that was there for centuries.
The Smithy is also gone in Cork Street, where my brother Joe and I never passed without hanging over the half door to watch the Blacksmith shoe the horses.
The cobblestones were only removed a few years ago when the City Council pedestrianised the Temple Bar area when it was being redeveloped. The cobbles were certainly there ‘’early on a frosty morning’’ in January 1960 when I made my way to the Coombe Hospital for my Son Johns birth. The car bumped over them as it was so icey and my husband had to take his time.
Now in a different century as I drive up Cork Street, remembering all of this and see the new Apartment buildings all around. Some of them built on the grounds of the Convent Garden. I can’t help but wonder if perhaps some of the builders found that music case and if so, would they please contact me at my email address.

Betty Maguire

Guns & Roses Part I

Another true story.
Guns & Roses
There was a loud rat –a-tat on the door.
“ Almighty’’ exclaimed the Maisie.
“ Who on earth can that be” she said, clutching her hands to her heart.
“ Go open the door, Kathleen, and see who it is.”
Kathleen duly opened the door, and in dashed a boy of about 12 years, a son of one of the I.R.A. men, her sons colleagues.
“ Mrs. O’Toole, Mrs. O ‘Toole”, he cried. “ The Commandant sent me to warn you if you have anything incriminating in the house, get rid of it quick. I must be off as I have more calls to make”.
“ What am I to do” moaned the maisie. “ We’ve only got a yard, We cant hide or bury anything there. I have an idea, go into the parlour, Kathleen and fetch me the music case out of the piano stool, and empty it out, and you maddie, come upstairs and will have a look in Jacks room to see what we can find.”
There were two revolvers, and a box of rounds of ammunition under the bed in a suitcase.
“ Put them in the music case, Maddie, and both of you, go up to the Rev. Mother, in Weavers’ Square. Convent. She’ll know what to do ‘with it’’, said the maisie.
The two girls, Kathleen and Maddie set off at once for the convent. They didn’t pause as they usually did to look through the grating of the grain store in Ardee Street, to see the barefoot men threading the grain.
Just then as they walked along Ardee Street, an army lorry turned the corner of Cork Street, and bumped along the cobblestones of Ardee Street. Out of it poured a number of the ‘Irregulars’ or ‘’Black and Tans”, as they were known, who proceeded to form a cordon across the road.
With thumping hearts the girls decided to brave it out. “what ho me beauties, said one of the soldiers, who had a gamey eye. “Wot ave we got ere? Where are you two flappers off to?
“ We’re going to our singing lessons in the Weavers Square convent”, answered Kathleen (slightly braver of the two)
“yeh, must have a lot of music in the case” said the soldier.
“ Well we’ve brought our brothers Lunches along, as well as our own because we’ll be there a while”
“Give us a bit of a song then,” said the soldier with a grin.!

TO BE CONTINUED

The Grand Plan ( La Plan Grande?)

My Brudder, Frank is off with Joan and the Kids to France and Spain next Monday. Part of the holidays is to have a look for a french home or a bit of land and build a french Bastide, hopefully with a Pool, shed and some shade. Well thats our plan but so far its been difficult to find a decent house or site. Many houses I saw either have no land or even a small garden or are in the wrong place etc. Have been to Southern France a few times and have at least got to know the area well. Despite all I heard from other travellers I found France quite cheap to stay and found really cheap food and acomodation everywhere. I don't have great french but get by and although I'm usually terrible at communications normally, I get by with the basics and theres always the 'Point at what you want to eat'. French people are supposed to be notoriously snobbish but never found that myself. In the South of france very few speak English so you have to make an effort yourself. Also found prices for meals are much less than in Ireland. Most towns have an Auchen or Casino Hypermarket with a restaurant beside, so can eat for about 5 euro! Some places have a meal plus wine for euro 5.75 at lunch time!
Hopefully the proposed house will be a good base to possibly live and definately travel further in Europe. Maybe build a little Studio and pretend to be an artist?
Hope that when the gang come back from France they will have found out some more possible homes or sites. Cant wait, I have been saving for ages and the money is really starting to 'burn a hole in my pocket'

Bray, Co Wicklow 1954

The seaside resort of Bray is only a few miles south of Dublin and in the days before cars was easily accessible by train from Dublin on two different routes. The Dart train still goes there and thanks to improved roads is only about 15 minutes from our house in Dublin by car. In the past Dubliners often hired out a cottage for the summer and the family stayed there for a few weeks while the Father commuted to work. There were no fancy holidays to Europe in those days. In fact people used to come to Bray from Liverpool for a Summer holiday. The photo shown is from 1954 of Mum with her Mum and Auntie Nuala. Behind them you can see the wrought Iron seating which once went along the entire lenght of the sea front, sadly it is currently in a delapidated state but still intact along some of the front. Bray is nowadays a bit run down but still a day trip for many Dubliners and the coastal train ride from Dublin is still a highlight even on a cold Sunday in Winter, then on to the Promenade for a brisk walk and finally a bag of chips or an ice cream cone or both! Then as Frank says on to the "Hurdy Gurdeys'' in the Amusments. The Maguires are easily amused!

New technology, Old technology

As previously mentioned Dad worked in the Weights and Measures Department. One of his jobs involved making sure every new weighing Scales and measuring equipment worked correctly, and to this end there was several rooms in the department full of all kinds of scales, measures and all kinds of equipment. Occasionally some more exotic things came in and one was some type of camera that took colour photographs in the 1950's Dad took one picture with this camera but unfortunately the negative was some unusual format and it wasnt until recent years that Mum re found the negative and brought it to an ' Expert' shop in town. The expert could only print on to photographic paper and it still didnt look in colour. At the time 2000 I only had a scanner that didnt take slides or negatives. Scanning in negatives needs a light source on both sides of the neg. So I put the neg on the scanner and then put white paper on top and then took a table lamp to illuminate the neg and did a scan. Eventually after doing a bit of tweaking in 'Photoshop', Mums face began to appear in full colour. Mum or anyone else hadnt seen the photo before. I printed it off and Mum was delighted to see herself again from 1956. We have it in a nice frame in the Dining Room. Here is the long lost photograph thanks to a mixture of modenr technology, old technology and a little help from ''Heath Robinson School of improvisation"

Short Trips to the Northside

From a very early age I can remember being brought on a trip by Bus to our relations on the Northside of Dublin. We had 3 sets of Aunties, Uncles and Cousins, all living near the Navan Road and all lived within walking distance. More about the Navan Road gang later but our short journey was by Bus and we had to get two buses. We used to go in to town and get off in Westmorland Street. The next bus was on the Quay (River Liffey). Breaking the journey Mam always brought us to Bewleys Oriental Cafe in Westmorland Street. One of my oldest memories was being brought in beside one of the open fireplaces to warm up. Bewleys original Cafes finally closed down in 2004. The owners claiming big and mounting losses, despite the Cafes seemingly doing good business and a reputation for fairly high prices and well fairly average food. What Bewleys was really famous for was its decoration, ambience, and a nice place to meet friends over a cake and white coffee. The Cafe in Westmorland remains closed but still intact and looks relatively unchanged from the early 60's when I first visited. In the 60's the wallpaper was Chinese/Japanese in design, mainly black with red and gold birds, Pagodas etc. Dad liked the design so much that we had similar wallpaper in our dining room! Bewleys always did things slightly different. For example you could order toast with the butter melted on it. Later when they dropped this they claimed it was for hygiene reasons and also refused to serve toast after 12.00. Also they used to have their own dairy in Rathfarnham and you could have milk with extra cream as well as regular milk. Of course over the years all these quirks were dropped, waitress service was dropped, and of course prices were raised. Despite this Bewleys first went bust in the early 80's and changed hand. Dad often said how could it be possible to lose money when they must have sold at least 1,000 cups of coffee a day apart from meals and breakfasts. It must have been bad management! When the final day came I went in to town to meet one of my friends in Bewleys for one last Bewleys specials. Sausage, Egg, Beans and Chips and White Coffee and a Cream Cake. Not High Cuisine but still a treat, and I remembered all the meals I had over the years.
On the last evening RTE, the main Irish Television Station had a special programme from Bewleys in Westmorland Street. The Cafe in Grafton Street has re opened but it is run by a different company and its simply the same name but quite different inside. There still is a small coffee shop inside but the magic is gone for me. In truth the food was never the best quality, service was poor, tables and chairs always creaked and rocked. The 'complaints cards' were always useful to fix the legs of the tables.

Department of Weights and Measures

Dad worked in the Irish Civil Service. He entered the Service in 1944, and moved to Dublin. Eventually ending up in Dublin Castle. When he finally retired the Evening Herald devoted a large article to his tenure at the head of this small but busy Department. text is taken directly from the Herald article.
''The weight of time
beats Mr. Scales''
''AFTER a quarter of a century balancing the scales of the official technical officer of weights and measures, John Maguire is saying goodbye to gills, grams and gallons.
“Mr. Scales” as John is fondly called by his colleagues has been working in the weights and measures section of the Dept. of Trade, Commerce and industry since 1944.
And his colleagues showed their appreciation when Tommy McGrath, divisional head, presented John, a Kilkenny man with a finely sketched drawing of North King Street and a book on Irish Homes and Castles.
“I think I should even be in the Guinness Book of Records”, John said, “for having spent 30 years working in the same room in Dublin Castle”.
For all those years John has been quietly checking that the pint mark stamped on your glass really means a pint and that the scales in the local grocery shop are not tipped in the shopkeepers favour.
“Our job is to see fraud is not being committed against members of the public by someone using an irregular weighing machine or altering correct measures like the old case of the bar man putting his thumb in the glass when he is pouring a dash of whiskey’ said John.
While John set standard measure from his office in Dublin Castle, he also dispatched inspectors throughout the country to check shops, stores, and petrol pumps to see that the consumer always got his full pound’s worth.
“ In the case of the big thumbed barman the only thing to do is to catch him red handed or red thumbed as the case may be”, John says. And once caught he would soon find himself in court under the Scales of Justice.
John’s job has been to examine and test new weighing and measuring machines and in those years he has seen a wide variety of changes through from metrification in measurements to electronics in machinery.
“There used to be a wide diversity of measures but with the E.E.C. there has been a greater standardization of scales”. John says.

Maguire Family Portrait

My Grandad Francis Maguire, Grandma Mary Maguire, Daddy John Maguire Snr. and Auntie Maureen.

Holiday I can't remember

Can't remember this holiday, obviously if you look at the photo. I'm in Dads arms. Brother Frank is out front. Also May Murphy left and Nora Murphy. Auntie Nuala and Mrs. Appleby. Mum is missing so she must be behind camera.

Top of the World

Others may climb the Matterhorn by ropeline, the Maguires settle to go by Train! Well the Jungfraujoch anyhow. The Jungfrau Railway goes from Interlakken to almost the very top of the Eiger Mountain in Switzerland. We started of at Interlakken Ost which is a fairly small station but for Train buffs has the added attraction of having several gauges and you can see modern trains as well as vintage electric and the occasional steam. Trains leave here for Lucerne and on eventually to Italy. Also back to Bern, Geneva and the rest of Europe. It said in all the guides to pick a really sunny day and go early in the morning. Although we had Swisspasses its actually extra to go the whole journey up through the Eiger. The railway was built as a tourist railway from the beginning and possibly operates without subsidy as its a private railway, hence it costs about 80 Euro return. Sounds expensive but it depends on what you spend your money on. Some people would spend that on booze. Anyhow as it was to be the highlight of the trip and a 'once in a lifetime trip' we decided to go. Most of the trip is steeply inclined and the railway uses cogwheel or rack assistance almost the whole way to the top. The trains themselves are quite old and for viewing purposes the windows roll down, so your view is clear and you can feel the fresh air. At Kleine Scheidegg you change in to modern trains for the final climb of the journey, much of which is underground. The train climbs very slowly and as you rise in height you can see the snow appearing sparsly at first and quickly its like Winter even in June. Finally reaching the top of the railway you arrive at a station carved into the rock and you go out onto the top of the mountain via Lifts. The are signs everywhere telling you to take care to aclimatise to the high altitude and thin air. We decided to have a bit to eat first, luckily or surprisingly the Restaurant was very cheap (especially for Switzerland) despite the fact that restaurants at tops of mountains are few and far between and they usually decide to 'screw' the customer. Going out on the top of the mountain to walk on the snow is the final few steps of the journey. We posted cards at the highest Post Office in Europe and had a look at the ice sculptures carved out of the solid ice sheet. Describing the journey doesn't really go anyway to get across the experience. You just have to be there to experience it. Some of my photos go some way but really I suppose you have to be there and be a bit of a railway 'buff'. Finally some of the other Swiss Railway Journeys were as memorable, however this is Switzerland and as previously mentioned they have without doubt the best railway system in terms ofnumbers of lines, beautiful scenery, different types of railways. Another railway trip up a nearby mountain is 'nicknamed' the 'ooh and Ahh' railway due to the fantastic views which unfold around each corner and the passengers are continually amazed that each view is better than the last. That railway is the Schynige Platte railway and we left that trip for another year and a return to Switzerland.

Holiday '78

Another holiday I well remember was to Westport in North West of Ireland. My Brother Frank decided to rent a 'Cottage' . The Advert was in the Paper and booked it over the phone. Dad had just traded in his old car for a newer one. Not new but 5 years old. Later to be termed the 'Yellow Peril' it was a bright yellow Renault 15TS, a smart looking coupe, which replace Dads 15 year old Ford Capri. Anyhow we drove up to Westport and then a few miles further to the cottage which was situated down a steep laneway. Frank had to manoever the Car for Dad as the laneway was very tight. The Cottage was a bit basic, the farmer who owned it had built a new house and rented out the old Cottage. It had a traditional fireplace, the type you could sit in and look up into the night sky. We lit a fire with the turf supplied by the farmer. I think there was electricity in the Kitchen but not in the Bedrooms. On the first night we went to bed late and I fell asleep quickly, probably snoring the cottage down! Suddenly I woke up, I could hear what sounded like machine guns or sounds from an Alien Invasion Film. it was completly dark and I had no light switch to flick. Quickly I realised it was lashing rain and the cottage had a tin roof not a traditional thatch roof. I suppose while I slept and dreamt, the sound of the rain had somehow been incorporated into the dream and when I awoke I was disorientated and well, scared. The rest of the holiday went great, we travelled in the Yellow Peril for the week and luckily the rain was replaced by sunny weather. I have photos somewhere both Frank and myself sporting 'Afro' haircuts which were the 'in thing' then. Suppose my scare lasted about 5 minutes and I remember it well and laugh about it now and its still what I remember about that holiday.

Swiss Railway Journeys

Many years ago now, well maybe 35 now, Dad's friend Dave Maher got married to a Swiss lady called Erika. Dave often spoke glowingly to Dad and myself about Switzerland, the scenery, the clear mountain air, the mountain railways and of course Switzerlands famous timekeeping and punctuality. If a Swiss person arranges to meet you at 7.30, they mean 7.30, not 7.35, or 8.00. Trains actually arrive early or at least on time, and its claimed in a British Train magazine you could almost eat your dinner on the platform. Swiss Railways are aparently that clean! Dave sadly passed away late last year, but when I think of Switzerland I always think of Dave and Erika.
In 2001 or so the Travel Channel showed a series of Travel Documentaries called Swiss Railway Journeys, and this series helped me make up my mind to plan a trip. Much planning was needed, I went to Thomas Cook for a European Train Timetable Guide, researched the Internet for Trips and Accomodation. Also watched all those documentaries for destinations, travel tips etc. Mum contacted the Swiss Embassy, who sent lots of guides, photographs. Anyone travelling abroad should contact the relevant Embassy for advice and information. I ordered Swiss Railway Passes which covered us for all Trains, Buses, Trams and Boats and City transport too. We flew to Geneva and then by train to Interlakken. Interlakken is a small town situated betwen 2 lakes, hence the name! From Interlakken there is no shortage of train journeys and different train companies, train gauges, funiculars, cable cars and Boats too. All covered by the SwissPass. Although the pass was over €215.00 it was well worth it for 7 days. Eating out in Switzerland was another matter. Rather expensive, however there was and still are a number of Supermarket Chains which often have Cafes attached. Migros is one such chain and in Interlakken they had a nice Cafe for breakfast and for buying rolls and fresh produce for the days travelling.
Other travel tips for Switzerland? Well obviously buy all your food and drinks befor arriving at the train station, prices are up to 3 times dearer at the station. Accomodation is very expensive but check out www.myswitzerland.com, I booked a nice Bed and Breakfast, using www.bnb.ch. In Interlakken we stayed in a Hostel, which was reasonable but rather basic and the rooms were tiny.
The actual train journeys I will have to leave to another blog or even several blogs. There were so many possible journeys it was difficult to decide which to choose, also had to consider timetables although unlike Ireland most towns are linked by trains which depart on the hour or half hour even.
Until the next time, got a tram to catch!

On track in Austria

Just back from Austria on another Trans Euro Express Trip. Actually We landed in Bratislava Airport and then by Coach to Vienna. Coach trip itself gave an oppurtunity to see another country and save money by using a Budget Airline. We had been told Austria was an expensive country but somehow Ireland has now caught up with most of Europe and it didn't seem that expensive to me. Switzerland still holds the most expensive tag. Vienna itself is one of those too perfect cities and full of formal buildings and vast open spaces with guilded statues everywhere. Also its a very clean city and has excellent Bus, Tram and Underground lines. Compared to Dublin, a weekly travel ticket was at 12.00 euro a bargain!
One very nice short trip was on the no 38 tram to Grimzing and then the 38a Bus to the Vienna Mountains. We went in to a very elegant Circular Café for a Melange and Cake. Mum liked the Cafe and immediately said her friend Marion would have declared 'This is a Sheila Place' Sheila was one of Mams best friends and would have loved the Café. My Daddy would have liked it too, it was elegant and a bit old fashioned, had a lovely view and was a place to while away a whole afternoon. The kind of establishment that would never be built today, it would have to be a fast food place or some really expensive pretentious restaurant for rich snobs or 'riff raff' as Basil Fawlty would say.
Another longer trip was by train to Mariazell, went by regular train to St. Polten, then a delightful narrow gauge train up the mountains to Mariazell. In total the journey was 85 Km bit it took over 2 hours and went through beautiful countryside. Arriving at our destination We really only had time for a meal and a long walk back to the station. There was supposed to be a local vintage tram trip also but of course I could not find it, and anyhow it only goes during June through August.
Anyhow another really enjoyable trip, a nice relaxing day with not too much walking and loads of photos as memories.
Finally Vienna and Austria was very nice, maybe a bit too formal and 'Germanic' especially the irritating recorded announcements on all public transport. The messages all sounded a bit too reminiscent of a era no one wants to remember.
As Basil infamously said, 'Don't mention the ...'

Mystery Train

When we were small every Summer that I can remember, CIE, the Irish Train Company ran special excursions on a Thursday and Sunday. Basically it was very cheap for families to go on a day trip on a train and not know where they were going. During the week Mum made arrangements for a trip and most weeks it was off to the Train station. Often we met our Cousins, Aunts and Uncles and Friends. The Train was full of Maguires, Applebys, Gormans, Mulhalls, O'Tooles. We used to get up real early with all our bits and pieces and when we got to town it was into the bread shop for fresh rolls. Mum had butter and meat and cheese etc. to make 'sambos' . As far as I can recollect all the journeys were from Connolly Station in Dublin. Although it was supposed to be a mystery where the train was going everybody seemed to know exactly where we were going. Years later I found out from one of my employees that she used to work on the train with her Mother selling sweets and apples. Her Mother knew the Driver and he told her the destination. She was supposed to be sworn to secrecy but somehow managed to always let the secret out. Mum used to hope for somewhere by the sea, perhaps Wexford and then on to Rosslare Beach!
Anyhow we always had a great time no matter where we were going. We always had money to buy a comic to read on the journey home or perhaps a drawing book and pencil. I still remember the train was literally packed to the rafters and kids running up and down the whole trip.
I can't remember when exactly we stopped going or when or why CIE stopped doing the Mystery Train. But I must have got my interest in Train travel thanks to CIE and whoever thought up of the concept!

Trans Europe Express

Off this morning on another little European Trip.
Bratislava, Vienna, Linz all beckon in a few hours. many trains, planes and trams to catch.
Back Wednesday 24th May. Keep you posted.

Triumph School of Motoring

Uncle Seamus

A long lost story written by Uncle Seamus.

Learn to drive at the Triumph School of Motoring
Phoenix Park
(beside Hawthorn Circuit)
A Car fore every lesson
(the same car)
Full beginners Course only £ 50.00
Payable in advance.
In case of hardship, easy terms. Deposit £46.00
And 40 p per lesson.
Special Reduction for Schoolchildren provided they don’t bring their Birth Certificates or mention their ages.

Other driving schools teach beginners things like, the U turn, the turnabout, how to start on an incline etc. We don’t bother with any of that crap. We teach you all you need to to know about driving in 10 EASY LESSONS as detailed in our brochure
Lesson 1 How to drive there
Lesson 2 How to drive back ( without using reverse)
Lesson 3 How to drive there and back
Lesson 4 How to drive to the left
Lesson 5 How to drive to the right
Lesson 6 How to drive along a straight line
Lesson 7 How to drive everybody around the bend
Lesson 8 How to drive yourself around the bend
Lesson 9 How to stop driving abruptly using the ‘Head on method’
Finally - Lesson 10 How not to drive.

Many of the drivers who competed in the Phoenix Park Motor races last weekend were taught to drive at our School, true, some of them crashed, a few of them went off the course and finished up in various parts of the city and none of them won anything, but this is not bad considering our school only opened 2 weeks ago. And most of them only taught to drive on the day before the races.
We have also enlisted the co-operation of our good friends the CAPRI SCHOOL OF MOTORING, Cherryfield Road. All our indoor lectures and demonstrations will take place there. On Wednesday nights Ms. Betty Maguire will give a talk on the ‘Rules of the Road’
On Thursday night Mr. Frank Maguire will demonstrate the dismantling and re-assembly of the Ford Capri engine. Mr. Frank Maguire has never done this before but he informs us that he can perform this task in 51 minutes. However the highlight of this lecture course is on Friday night, - ‘The history of the Motor Car’ which motor car? Johns motor car of course. This lecture will be given by Mr. John Maguire (senior) Bass-Baritone, at 9 pm sharp.

Tram Spotter

My First experience of trams was secondhand, Mam and Dad were always talking about the world famous Hill of Howth Tram. Unfortunately the tram line closed down before I was born. It was indeed the last tram in Ireland. Aparently grown men cried when it closed down. Of course it closed down due to lack of patronage and lack of investment. Anyhow the arrival of the new Luas Tram Lines in Dublin and a visit to Amsterdam gave me a new interest in trams, mainly travelling on them not just writing down the numbers. I have not become a Tramspotter as such and havn't got the Anorak yet.
What I really like is to visit European Cities to broaden my experience of the European mainland and if the city has a tram network or a tourist line, even better. One of my recent trips was with Mum and we decided to go to Lisbon, Portugal. Not having been there before it looked a nice city and it had the added bonus of several tram lines. In fact Lisbon is Tram City. There are several old fashioned tram Lines with traditional mainly wooden trams which have been lovingly restored and maintained. Lisbon also has several Funiculars and modern trams and another Tourist Line in Sintra just a few kilometres away. The Sintra Tramway has been recently extended by the local council and is quite old fashioned and the trams date back nearly 100 years. Mum said it was very like the Howth tram and memories flooded back to her particularly the shaking and rattles and the varnished wooden interior. Our tram driver for the day worked part time for the Council and he relayed stories to us as the tram travelled through the countryside. He even stopped the tram at one point so I could take photos. There was only one other passenger on the tram. It turned out the other passenger was going home for the weekend. during the week he stayed in a Hospital or possibly a Mental Institution. Every Friday he waits for the 2.00 tram and each week he tries to get away without paying his fare, The Tram driver explained they both play this game and each week they eventually come to an arrangement and the fare is agreed at about 80 cent. When I returned to Ireland I printed off some of the photos of the Sintra tram and posted some to the tram driver who wanted his passenger to have a picture of the tram and of us all in the tram. I havn't heard back from the driver, I hope the passenger got his photograph. Maybe another time I wil return to Sintra and get that 2.00 tram and I wonder will there be a certain passenger waiting?

Titanic Tale

My grandfather, Francis John Maguire was born in Birkenhead and later moved back to Ireland. My Father was born in Watergate, Kilkenny. But Granddad, being a Carpenter in a time of high unemployment after World War 1, moved around Ireland wherever work was to be found. He worked in Haulbaulin Shipyard in Cork, also for the Countess of Desert in Kilkenny. He also worked for Harland and Wolff as a Ships Carpenter on the most famous Ship of all time the Titanic! He must have been one of the few catholics working there and amongst his many stories was that he always wore some early form of safety hat just in case someone would drop a hot rivet down on him from above.
When I was very small we often drove down to collect him from Mass and back to our Auntie in SCR, Dublin 8. Every trip he always had a story to entertain us. Actually he had probably about 50 different stories but we would always love to hear him re telling some of his stories or yarns as some people call such stories.
One of his tales about the Titanic has turned out to be a bit of an ‘urban legend’ a modern term for a myth or a completely incorrect fact that supposedly spreads around and then become fact or at least some people believe it. An urban legend spread in Britain after the ‘9-11’ attack on the Twin Towers in New York. It was reported in some British newspapers that people had contact the Police claiming they had for example helped their Muslim neighbour fix his car. And in return his neighbour told him thanks and ‘Oh avoid the centre of Birmingham on the 5th! can’t say anything else’. The whole thing turned out to be complete fabrication.
Grandads story was that the Titanic being supposedly un sinkable was given the number 390904 which, when read backwards in a mirror, was claimed to spell 'no pope'. To enhance the story, Grandad used to write down the numbers on a piece of paper and then turn the paper back to front and towards the light so you could read the numbers backwards and to us as children it magically read ‘No Pope’ of course he also had a special way of writing the numbers. Anyhow we always believed him and unlike what went on in the name of Irish freedom his story was nothing to do with politics or religion, just an amusing story.
Of course having checked out the facts it turns out the ship was never given these numbers, today its very easy to check out facts by looking up Google or Ask Jeeves even.
But years ago its wasn’t so easy and people believed what they were told and anyhow it was the way Grandad told the story and almost like a magician got that piece of paper to do a magic trick that impressed me the most and by then we had arrived at Aunties and was time to get out of the car having been held captivated for the short journey. Grandad timed his stories so they always finished just as Daddy arrived at SCR and time for us all to get out and in to Auntie Maureen, who always had Dinner ready for us and she always had the latest comic for myself and big Brother Frank, as well as fresh lemonade from one of those old pressurised dispenser bottles, and finished off the treat with a bar of chocolate. For the bar of chocolate We had to go with Maureen down the lane behind her house where a Lady had a little shop in a garage selling a few bars of chocolates, sweets and newspapers. This ended the treat until the following week. And another tale!
My Dad also had his fair share of tall tales, many relating to his long, very long time in the Irish Civil Service, including his 43 years in the same chair in Dublin Castle. But that’s for another time.
Til then, John Maguire, MaguireNews, Dublin.

School Boy Memory

One of my early English School Books had many stories to show how to use correct grammer. Something I have never fully mastered! One of the stories was about an Overhead Railway in Wuppertal, Germany. This being many many years ago there were few pictures in the book and you had to use your imagination and picture the Overhead Railway in your mind. The forward thinking people of Wuppertal built a railway over and following the river which snakes through the town. The railway was built in the early 20th century and remains today modernised and still the mainstay of the local transport system. In 2005 I finally got to visit the railway and took several rides on it. The term 'ride' is most appropriate as it really feels like a fair ground ride and the carriages gently swing in the wind as they glide along suspended over the river. Thanks to the Internet its quite easy today to get information and pictures about every subject. From first reading the story about the Overhead Railway and finally getting to see it took nearly 38 years. A long journey, sometimes a long journey ends in disapointment, but in this case the journey really was the reward!

The White Boxes

Mum (Betty Maguire) recently entered a writing competition and wrote of her experience in her first job in Dublin in 1942. The story goes thus.

The White boxes

When I was fifteen years of age my Father died, and I had no option but to leave school and get a job, as there were two younger sisters, one three years of age and the other nine years old. The job I got (my first) was in the offices of a butcher’s shop in Donore Avenue keeping accounts.
Whilst I had not got a lot to do but sit in my cubby hole, I learned a lot about cuts of meat and joints etc., but not much else. I was bored!
At that time, 1942 due to the war, there was daylight saving and the clocks didn’t go back in the winter. Consequently it was dark in the mornings when I went to work at 9 a.m.
Looking out from my cubby hole I used to observe every morning groups of men walking up the other side of the street, which was unlit. There was a blackout in force also then. These men were carrying white boxes on their shoulders and would take turns carrying the boxes.
Curiosity got the better of me and I asked the butcher what were they doing with the boxes. “Do you mean to tell me you don’t know what’s in the boxes” he said incredulously. No I said. “They are dead babies and young children from the tenements in Marrowbone Lane and Meath Street and Marshals Barracks’’ The men went early while it was still dark out of shames sake. There was, no pasturised milk, they shared common facilities in the yard. Mostly the babies died from gastro enteritis, and the Mothers were ill nourished as well, Father’s unemployed.
T.B. at that time was ripe and at epidemic proportions. Whole families were wiped out by this disease.
Upon mentioning this tale to my son who was born in the 60’s, he refused point blank to believe it, brought up as he was with all mod cons in the home, car in the drive, colour T.V. etc. He just could not accept that such poverty existed, and insisted that it was all a figment of my imagination.
This was holy Ireland in 1942, whilst elsewhere in Europe, Dachau for instance, a somewhat similar fate was happening to Mothers and children.
What’s the difference you may ask? Man’s inhumanity to man in both places.

Poverty such as this hardly exists today although the Vincent de Paul Society will tell you otherwise. I find it hard to believe with all the social welfare allowances going these days, but I suppose as Jesus Christ said “The poor we will always have with us”, or can we try at least to make poverty history as Sir Bob Geldof and Bono wishes. I sincerely hope so.

First Post

Welcome to my/our Blog. The wonders of the Maguire World will be revealed. The Facinating and the Hundrum will both be featured. Some of my Grandfathers funny stories and a potted history of the Maguires of Kilkenny. Also various contributions from other family members and holiday tips for those who wish to avail of my usefull and sometimes useless advice.