Budget 2009/10

Everyone in Ireland is waiting to hear what the Government is going to announce in next weeks Budget. Not knowing is the hardest thing. The Irish Govt. has been looking for pay cuts in the public Sector and the unions don't want to give much away. I am not in the Govt. sector directly but my wages are paid for by the state. There has been a suggestion of a 4.5% pay cut to as much as 12.5%, alternatively the big Unions were offering that unpaid leave could be taken to reduce Government expenditure. Not that I want a pay cut but say a 2 weeks leave unpaid would be preferable. Even a month. I could go on a cheap holiday to Europe, bring a tent and live as cheaply as possible. See if you can still go on holidays on say 30 euro a day, have to be somewhere warm and on a campsite. Alternatively if I manage to buy that small cottage down the country, I could spend a whole month doing it up and save a small fortune on labour costs. Probably be better take unpaid leave, get some tax credits and do some manual work on a house. Probably less stressful too.
Another good outcome of the credit crunch in Ireland for me at least is the prices of most houses has collapsed, so I may have lost out on my pension savings been decimated but should at least make it back by having delayed buying a House in 2007. 2007 was the high point for property in Ireland. A cottage I am still looking at was 198,000 euro a year ago, now they are looking for 100,000 and only have an offer of 90,000. Anyone who bought at the height of the boom and borrowed the money are looking at a huge loss if they had to sell. Many did buy hoping to sell later at a profit or to fund their own pension. The Government are doing nothing to help except looking for public service pay cuts.
Hopefully for me 2010 will be House and some more Holidays, despite all the doom and gloom.

London Calling

Off on the short hop over to London in a couple of weeks, Frank is going over to work over there for a couple of weeks so a good excuse to go on a bit of a shopping trip and sightseeing trip. Also my friend Orla is studying in Cambridge and we hope to meet up for a bevvy in the local Pig and Whistle somewhere in the middle. Cant think of anywhere new to see or do but will enjoy going over without any firm plans and see what happens. Probably have to go to Greenwich on the Docklands Light Railway, some more Classic caffs and the Applestore.

Dublin Airport 1960's

Another from the Archives, an ld Postcard from Dublin Airport.

Back to the early 60's

Classic view of Dublins Main Street. Not sure of the year but possibly 1958.

2010

Nothing booked yet for 2010 holidays wise. Used to have a look at the 'special offers on ryanair.com and even Aer Lingus, but no real bargains anymore. Both airlines have jumped on the cheap initial fare then add on loads of charges. Have decided over the last year or so you have to do a weigh up on the fare v convenience and destination and weather. Also while its best to go somewhere different every time its also a bit of a relief knowing in advance the Airport, how to get to your Hotel, somewhere to eat and so on. So for 2010 have planned to do about 4 trips. First trip probably in January or February, so have to go somewhere with good weather so that really means Portugal or Spain, maybe Italy. I'd really like to return to Porto in Portugal but there are no direct flights. Ryanair did fly direct for a time but they couldnt make it profitable. So may decide to go to Lisbon and get the train to Porto. Again for me it means loads of trains and trams to travel on, though I don't bring along my Anorak and pencil. Theres also plenty of places to eat and have snacks especially the Majestic Cafe in Porto. And Pasteis de Belem in Lisbon. In Porto have found a highly recommended Hotel in the very centre of the Main Square, and although you might think I planned it there is a brand new 'Old' Tram route which does a circular route right round to the Majestic Cafe! Brilliant or what.

Later in 2010 another trip is pencilled in to Switzerland, possibly Cologne. Somewhere in France later in the year. Anywhere in France is great, possibly Montpellier or back to Collioure, Beauvais who could choose.

Photos from Porto in 2006, Trams along the Riverfront and the Interior of the Majestic Cafe.

Living the High Life

We visited Monaco while on hols in Nice. Even one of the most expensive destinations is affordable for the regular traveller, just do not expect to stay in any Hotels or bother looking for Apartments to buy. Even cheap Apartments are over one million, a studio may be affordable and the sky is the limit for anything else. We got the Tourist bus up to the top of Monaco where its at least possible for a couple of hours to pretend to be part of the Monaco Jet Set. At the Jardin du Exotique you can get a great view looking down over much of Monaco and the Cafe Brasserie is fairly reasonable for snacks and drinks. We watched the Sun set then decided it was time to go back to Monaco. We had forgotten though about the rush hour traffic. Around six o clock most of the ordinary workers leave their jobs and also Monaco. Most ordinary people cannot afford to live in the Principality and thus at that hour every bus is packed with people going home to France. In fact having an orderly queue for the bus is seemingly non existant. When the Coach arrived at the correct time, Mum was at the top of the queue but the driver decided to stop about 8 metres further along and when he opened the door a mad scramble for the door ensued. One elderly man was knocked down as people pushed and shoved. I decided to wait for the next Coach. The next Coach was almost as Bad, Mum almost got on but the driver made everyone get off as he was full. The next coach was a special one direct to Nice and the Airport and was 5 Euro so only one person got on to an otherwise empty coach. We got on to the next Coach and got home safely.
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Train de Pignes

Hoping not to bore those who don't like Trains or don't have the Anorak. But an essential part of a holiday for me is a trip up the mountains or along a coast by train to another town or City. An essential trip from Nice is up the Mountains on the narrow gauge railway to Digne. Most Sundays the local Steam Enthusiasts run special excursions along part of the route in an old steam train. Arriving at the train station you board the regular train. Unusually there were as many women and children and not just 'trainspotter men' . Arriving at Puget-Théniers our Steam Train awaited along with more people waiting to get on the train and volunteers pushing wagons and assorted people taking photographs, selling souvenirs, having picnics. The French are as enthusiastic as their British counterparts when it comes to steam travel. There were several men covered head to toe in oil and soot and I half expected to see a french version of 'Fred Dibnah' asking 'Did you like that' in french of course.

The trip itself went slowly up to Entreveux which was a beautiful town to stop for a couple of hours and we ate in a little cafe, had another stroll around the town and then another coffee/wine break at a little roadside cafe. All very french, very authentic and again very reasonable compared to rip of Ireland. If you couldn't afford the special steam train trip the regular train is much cheaper and you get off the train and get back on again and thus visit several interesting towns and walks along the route to Digne. You can even get a coach from Nice for one euro which goes up most of the way to Digne.

Nice in Nice again.

Went over to the South of France for 5 nights. Stayed in the same hotel as before, not the best hotel but was adequate and at least this time the rooms were bigger and even had a balcony and air conditioning. One the first day we went by coach to Monaco via Eze. Eze is a little town overlooking the sea and good sea views on a beautiful sunny day. We ate al fresco and got chips etc in a takeaway and Mum had a glass of wine sitting on a bench outside a bar. From there we got on a Coach to Menton a seaside town and sat out in the Sun, had a couple of drinks and ice creams and it was getting dark when we finally set off back to Nice. Amazingly the coach trip is only one euro for about 10 km. Back in Nice we went to 'Flunch' for our dinner, and we ate there nearly every night. Flunch is a big french restaurant chain. Possibly not quite up market enough for some but the food is always fully cooked and fresh and if your really hungry you can go back and eat as much as you like in the way of veg, chips, potatoes and rice, though no more meat. In fact we noticed some people didnt even bother paying. Each night we were there we noticed 2 fairly well dressed men were always there and they kept going up for more helpings of chips and pasta. I think they either brought their own plates in or something like they had some arrangement with the staff. They both sneaked in their own bottle of wine I noticed. Actually Flunch is so cheap I wonder how they do it, you can buy a small salad for 2.50 and then go up for as much vegetables and chips as you like. Even a full meal and a large glass of wine was about 7.20 if you chose the 'Plat de Jour' There are other similar chains in France, 'Casino' and 'LeClerc' who offer similar deals.
When I returned home i asked Mum had she brought much money home and she said she had. Most days we had probably managed on about 25 euro a day. We just had one expensive trip which was a steam train trip up the mountains, even that was good value at about 30 euro for a 7 hour excursion.

Another Mystery Trip

Back in the early 70's we used to go on CIEs Mystery train. In theory you didnt know where you might end up, but as soon as you got onboard the train everyone used to know. Years later a co-worker told me she used to work with her Mother on the mystery train selling bars of chocolate and apples. her Mother knew the train driver and thats how she found out. One of the times we arrived at Boyle, Roscommon. It must be nearly 40 years since I was in Boyle and now at last another mystery trip to Boyle.
This time its a trip to have a look at some 'bargain' houses and it will probably be another mystery. Firstly will the houses be actually in the Village or miles out, how come a 5 bedroom house is so cheap. And the final mystery is will the train stop in Boyle. The last time my brother went by train to Boyle, there was a special promotion at a special price for a day return. However when it was time to return to the station, he waited for the train but it never came, I cant remember how he got home, I think CIE arranged a bus or taxi to bring him to another station. Anyhow I hope that doesnt happen on my return.

GoogleHols

One of the great ways to remember a holiday or plan another one is to use Googlemaps and especially the now 'Street view' where you can view most big cities street by street. For example before booking a hotel you may be able to locate it exactly before you go and check out the local area. See how easy it is to get to, local shops. A couple of Summers ago we went to Zurich and stayed in a Bed and breakfast Apartment. Staying anywhere in switzerland is normally expensive but theres an organisation there who have a website WWW.Bnb.ch. We booked a week in Zurich and the Apartments turned out to be only about 10 minutes by tram. the Owner actually gave very good directions at the time and we had no difficulty finding the Apartment block. He told us to look out for the big concrete frog right outside and the tram stop was nearby too.
Checking back today using googlemaps you can do a search of the Apartments address and googlemaps brings you a map and the street view shows the frog and even a tram stopping right outside. You can also check to see if theres any local small shops and cafes etc.
Hopefully next year we may go back to Zurich for another holiday. Probably not the most interesting City for some people but its a good point for further travel around Switzerland, most towns and cities are no more than 2 hours by train. Switzerland has the reputation of being rather expensive but I didnt really think it made much difference to the holiday. Expensive up market hotels and restaurants are not our cup of tea anyhow. In the mornings our Apartment owner delighted in offering us various home made breads, fresh orange and coffee. Actually the bread was a bit on the tough to eat side but our host seemed very happy to offer us more bread and kept asking us if we liked the bread. We then set out for the day and got the tram to the train station and got fresh rolls and drinks in the local Co-op. If anything fresh food is cheaper in Switzerland than in Ireland. The train station had the usual collection of cafes and convenience stores as well as a Swiss food produce market in the middle of the old central hall. You could taste free samples of cheese and bread and take in the different flavours and smells. The Swiss certainly know how to run an efficient train service and also how to develop a proper train station and look after its customers. Some evenings they had wine tasting, music most nights and of course the trains run on time!

Tuscany-Florence 2009

Decided to return again to Tuscany this year. This time managed to find accommodation on the Web. Flew into Bologna and stayed 2 nights there. You have to get the Airport bus to Bologna to get to the train station. It was 5 euro one way, goes regularly so no complaints there. We stayed 2 nights in the Mercure Hotel opposite the train station. Had air conditioning and we didn’t bother with breakfast, just east al fresco. Glad we had air conditioning and immediately regretted not having done the same for Florence. I had forgotten how hot it becomes in early June in Italy. There wasn’t a lot to see in Bologna really but we did an enjoyable stroll around the centre and got a couple of buses to get a flavor of the place. The second day we went by train to Modena, a few miles from Florence. A medium sized town best known as the birthplace of Pavarotti and they have an Opera House named after him as well as a school of Opera and you could hear several aspiring new singers practicing in studios nearby. I had hoped to go to the Ferrari factory which was in Maranello but missed the local bus which only goes a couple times a day so had to do with a trip around the town in a Trolleybus and a bit of shopping and something to eat. Got some great cheap gifts in an Italian Euro shop.
The following day we went by Train to Florence. We went on the new Eurostar train as the regular train was nearly the same price and the Eurostar was more comfortable though not running anything near its possible top speed.
Had booked 2 rooms in Hotel Aline, should have realize that 30 euro was too cheap for a hotel room. The Hotel was supposed to be 15 minutes walk from the train station but we got lost and it took much longer than that. On the first night my bed collapsed as soon as I jumped into it. Looking underneath the bed was already broken and held together with broken bits of wood and ‘bluetak’. Not being able to find anyone to help I found another bed from a selection of beds located out on the fire escape. I managed to make up a bed from bits and pieces. And left the broken bed frame with the other bits on the fire escape.
Apart from the bed incident the only other complaint was getting bitten all over by bugs and the heat. Luckily being so tired every night meant I fell asleep quickly. Next time must remember to go for the dearer Hotel with proper beds and air conditioning.

We used Florence as a base and did several trips. We went by train to Pisa, Lucca and a fairly long trip to Assisi. Assisi was about 2 hours but it was a nice trip, and from Assisi station there was a bus to take you to the town. You can buy bus tickets in the train station. I found it easier to buy the train tickets at the automatic ticket machines. The queues at the ticket office were very slow. We got a coach to Siena as the train doesn’t go near the town. The coach station is a bit hard to find in Florence. If you are the Florence train station, the coach station is over beyond where they are building the new tram line terminus, and the temporary tourist office is also there. The Italian authorities seem reluctant to put up direction signs.
Within Florence we got a small bus, Bus 12 up and 13 back which brings you to Piazzale Michelangelo where there is a great view looking down on Florence. Further up the hill is San Minuito church, which has another great view and a long walk up. The bus terminus is just down from McDonalds which is opposite the trainstation.
You can get another local bus (number 7) to another hill top town called Fiesole, only takes about 15 minutes and you could go there in the evenings for a coffee or a meal in several cafes.
We didn’t go for any expensives meals, we ate mainly in the train station or grabbed slices of pizza outside, and McDonalds of course for snacks. There were 2 cafes we found quite useful. One was near the Duemo called Leonardos. It was upstairs over a shop. They had bottle openers hanging from the tables on chains. But it was honest local cooking and food was good. One of my friends was there last year and she loved the bottle openers as being the deal clincher. For a budget meal you could do no better than leonardos. Also easy to find was a corner café right opposite the Duemo. Bottegone was the name and really good value plus you can look out at the crowds admiring the Duemo.

Florence 2003

Florence trip.
Went to Florence in 2003, at the time couldn’t really find suitable accommodation and ended up staying outside in a Camp site near Figline. For some reason I don’t like to just arrive and book at the last minute. Back to the camp site, he accommodation was of the chalet type. It wasn’t ideal and it got very hot at night and opening the windows meant plenty of bugs and bites all night. Initially getting there was a long drawn out affair. We had booked to fly to Pisa airport, then a train to Florence, and another local train to Figline. Following booking instructions there was supposed to be a ‘free’ minibus up to the camp site. However there was no sign of anyone at the station. I rang the site and eventually a minibus arrived to pick us up and a Dutch couple who arrived on the same train. Arriving at the site our taxi driver demanded payment or a tip. Well he had no English but he stuck his hand out, obviously asking for payment. Two euro was given the look of disdain so I upped it to four euro, no response so I decided to offer the international sign of having no more money, which is the two hands held out apart. He then decided to release our bags and then the same tip was asked from the Dutch couple to release their bags.
We did ask when checking in at the site about the free bus service and we were told its only free as in its ‘freely’ available upon request depending if a car or minibus was available or not. The camp also had devised its own system for paying for meals and buying things in the on site shop. You were given a special credit card and you bought credit in advance. Apparently this was to avoid having to carry cash and to prevent thefts etc. We were told you couldn’t use cash on the site. Later it turned out the system was just Italian nonsense, all the shops took cash if you asked. No one wanted to turn down cash, I imagine the camp site got a cut from all the purchases on the credit cards which the shops wanted to avoid?
Most days we did manage to get a free lift down to the train station as most of the staff was much friendlier than the minibus driver and we also availed of cheap coach trips to Siena and San Gimiano. Again going for the cheap coach trip meant the coach invariably had non-working air conditioning. I guess the air conditioning hadn’t worked for years.

Nice 2009

Only went to Nice in 2008 but we have decided to return. Firstly its easy to get to from Ireland, the Airport is near the City. Also good transport links, even better food and hopefully good early Autumn weather. Last time Missed out on a trip aboard the Nice-Digne railway, we ran out of time. This is a privatly owned narrow gauge mountain railway sometimes known as the 'train des Pignes' which roughly translates to the train of of Pine Cones. Probably quite a bumpy ride and the coaches are quite old but the scenery and fresh air should be worth it. Not sure if there are any catering facilities on the train so we will stock up before we go with fresh french bread and fresh food and have a picnic. Probably Mum will bring a little bottle of white wine. We had a similar trip last time on the 'Train de Mervilles which went on a different route to Tende and the photo here is from that trip.
Going to stay in the same hotel as before. Its was in need of a bit of painting last time, but the food was a bonus and it s very near the train station and the new tram. Also right beside the main restaurant area and there is a load of small shops nearby for Mum to rummage around.

Another one of Mums stories, to get your teeth stuck into.

Dracula
From an early age I was a great reader. Nothing compared to a great book for passing the time. I read all the books in the children’s library in Thomas Street by by Charlos Kindesley, secondly “ the Turf Cutters Donkey “ by Patricia Lynch. And it wasn’t long before I had read all the books in the children’s section and was looking forward to when I could go in to the Adult section. The great day finally arrived and I feasted on Annie M.P. Smythsons, Charles Dickens, Jane Austin, and the Bronte Sisters.
On one occasion I saw the book “Dracula” by Bram Stoker and thought “this looks interesting” I brought it home and was soon immersed in it, meals went cold while I’D finish a chapter, finally my Father said “ what book is she reading?” He took the book to have a look at it “Jesus Mary and Joseph!” He exclaimed, “ I don’t believe what I’m seeing, no wonder he is walking in her sleep, bring the book back at once to the library”
I had to bring the book back to the library although I was only halfway through it, I tried to think of ways to finish it. I hid the book in the library behind some other books so no one would borrow it and planned to take it out again.
Another day I went up to the library and took the book out again and secreted it down my gymslip. Where to hide it was the problem, as my Mother had “eyes in the back of her head” We had an outside toilet with an overhead cistern. So I decided on top of that cistern would be a good hiding place. I stood on the seat of the toilet and put “Dracula” on top of the cistern. I spent a good few times out there reading it. Bit by bit. And there my memory stood still until about 40 years later on a fortnight’s holiday with Lena my sister. We talked our heads off as you can imagine being together all day and night for 2 weeks. Somebody mentioned another tour he was on to Transylvania and the castle of “Dracula”
And Lena said “ Oh Yes Betty, you must remember you got yourself constipated reading that book” What on earth are you talking about, I said to her. “Don’t you remember getting a dose of Castor Oil when you were reading Dracula?” She said.
Suddenly it dawned on me. My Mother had not been fooled by me at all. I remembered coming in out of the toilet. My Mother stood before me with a large spoonful of castor oil saying “ you are spending a lot of time in the toilet, you must be constipated. Open your mouth and swallow this”, which I duly did and promptly forgot all about it. They knew all the time about my secret reading but obviously decided to let it go.
I thought there are lessons to be learned from this.
There are times when rearing children you have to turn a blind eye to some of their escapades and pretend you don’t notice. How wise my Mother was to know that come hell or high water I was determined to finish the book and decided not to make an issue of it.
As for myself I can still get lost reading a book I remember a couple of years ago early one morning stirring the porridge with a spoon in one hand and Dr. Zhivago in the other hand.

Coming Soon

Mum is just about to release her latest short story. Ressurected from the past.

Memories

Mums story about going to the Circus is in the main true. However she forgot and still can't remember also volunteering for the bare back horse riding later in the evening. Frank my brother also seems to remember mum being attached to a rotating board and the knives being thrown as Mum slowly revolved. I can't remember exactly either, myself, Frank,Trevor and Graham were in knots of laughter and Mildred was almost having a heart attack as the knives or Tomahawks were thrown. The other thing about Duffy's Circus was that every performer had about four or five roles during the performance. I don't think the Indian was a native American, I think he came from Cork, later he became a Lion Tamer, then played in the band. I think they had about twelve or more people but it seemed like about fifty and all with glamorous names from all parts of the World. It was an unforgettable night and it was over 40 years ago now. Duffy's Circus is still on the go and currently are on tour again in Dublin.

Ten Drum Rolls

Mums Story about trip to the Circus
Its not everyone can say they got a drum roll, when they appeared at Duffy’s Circus. In fact it’s not everyone who had an opportunity to appear in the Circus. Well it happened to me once.
My two sons Frank and John saw a bill poster advertising ‘Duffy’s Circus and they persecuted me to bring them to the Circu. So I agreed to take them, and we were joined by our next door neighbour Mildred and here two boys Graham and Trevor.
Husbands were recruited to take us to Terenure and to call back later to bring us home.
And so we set off, boys with their bags of swag and mothers with a packet of Aspirin.
The Band played the march of the Gladiators and out came a procession of the circus performers. The excitement was ninety and there were Clown, Dancing Girls, Bareback Rider, Jugglers, Ponies and a Lion Tamer.
After a little the Ringmaster announced that ‘Thunder Cloud’ an Indian Chief was going to give an Exhibition of Tomahawk throwing and asked for a volunteer from the Audience “ any brave lady like to appear with Apache chief Thunder Cloud”
Mildred turned to (Frank my eldest) and said “ I am sure your Mum would like to volunteer”. Well some little Devil must have whispered in my ear, and never being one to turn down a dare, up I got and went down into the Ring amid great applause.
The Ringmaster nearly had a heart attack as it appears that usually a Circus member pretends to be a member of the audience, but because I hopped up first he had no alternative but to let me take part. He kept on repeating to me “ Don’t move Mrs. whatever you do. I had no intention of moving as much as an eyelid and was already regretting my action.
Out came The Chief with his ten Tomahawks and he got me to stand with my back to a wooden door. Well I can tell you that every time he threw a Tomahawk I got a Drum Roll followed by a thump as the Tomahawk became embedded in the door. I can still remember the thud today.
Mean while up in the audience Mildred was also having palpitations and already trying to think of how to break it to John (My husband) that I had been killed by Indian Chief Thunder Cloud. She regretted daring me to go on. He would ask her “ why didn’t you stop her”
However it finished at last and I returned to my seat, the four boys were thrilled by it all.
It often comes up in conversation that night. My Son Frank now nearly 53 years of age says “ I can still remember the look on Mildreds face when you went into the Circus Ring.

Howth

Another day trip the Maguires always went on was a quick trip out to Howth. Its a short train journey or by car and even occasionally I cycled out with a few friends. Its a little fishing village and very popular on Sundays. It has the usual selection of Pubs, Cafes and Restaurants. On weekdays you can buy fresh fish from numerous fish shops. Until the late 50's you could go for a trip around Howth on the Hill of Howth tram. Unfortunately lack of investment and indeed passengers meant it closed down before I was born. Frank my brother was lucky enough to take a trip. All I ever saw was the remains of the tramway in Sutton and you can still see the odd pole. Here are 2 more photos. You see Mum in the second picture walking towards the 2 trams.

http://www.europafilmtreasures.eu/PY/261/fiche_technique.htm?ID=261

Nelson Pillar

Until 1966 The Nelson Pillar stood looking down over O'Connell Street in Dublin. It was blown up by Republicans in 1966. I think I went up the Pillar once, my Brother Frank definately went up a few times. Dad must had taken up his 'Brownie' camera so here we have 2 photos looking down towards O'Connell Street Bridge. On the right is the G.P.O. The General Post Office, scene of the 1916 Easter rising. Further on is the long missed Metropole Restaurant and Cinema. The photos must have been taken about 1953. You can still see the tram rails, though the tram system had closed down in 1949 and it would be another 55 years before Trams again crossed O'Connell Street. The other photo shows the left side of the street and that side of the street is remarkably unchanged today. 'Clerys' still is a large Department Store and the big clock you can see in the very centre of the picture is still there today and remains a meeting point for Dubliners today.

50 years later I

This is our garden today. Undergoing a bit more work at the moment and hopefully finished by September. You can still see the Sundial. I did a bit of mosaic on it to brighten it up. The decking is nearly complete as is the extra crazy paving. Most of the big trees have died and in future just going to plant small hedging such as 'Box'.
Think we have some more photos of the garden over the years. Must have a look.

Back Garden

Once Mum and Dad moved into their new Home in Cherryfield, Dublin, Dad and Mum decided to set out the back garden with a rockery and various other design features. I dont think there was much of a garden in Mums old home just a back yard. There was a garden in Watergate in Kilkenny where dad was raised and I think he fancied having a rockery in his new garden. Anyhow Dad decided the layout of the back garden and even when he had no car he made up a wooden box for the back of his bike and he used to bring home rocks and stones from the Featherbeds. The Featherbed Mountains were about 10 miles from Dublin and quite a cycle uphill. Quite how he and Mum got all the stones home I don't know, Mum only had a basket on the front of her bike. I suppose it was mainly downhill back to Dublin. Eventually Dad bought his first car, a Morris Minor and they could bring home bigger rocks. Apparently Dad supervised and Mum lugged the rocks around the garden under Dads grand design. The basic layout from the late 1950's is still there today. The rockery grew over the years in height and it has been altered a little here and there. About ten years ago I had to dig up part of the rockery to build a Conservatory and removing some of the rocks was very difficult some were much bigger under the ground rather like Icebergs.
Dad also built a Sundial which is still there today. Also Dad planted many trees and shrubs which over the years got rather out of hand and at one stage there was over one hundred trees and shrubs, many which had to be removed and I can remember digging many of them out a few years ago and the task was back breaking. Dad was also found of 'crazy paving' and more recently I have been extending the footpaths and some of the old rocks have a new use as part of the crazy paving. I also copied Dad by setting of to collect more stones from 'here and there'. Cant say where I got the new stones of course!
Photo of the garden circa 1956-59

Zooming in

Zooming in on the photograph in the last post, I can identify my Aunt Maureen, Dad, his Mother and Aunt and I think one of his cousins, possibly Dan Costigan. I assume Grandad Maguire must have taken the picture. There is another photo of them at the Bridge and I think their is a much later photo of my Mum at one of the model Houses, taken many years later. The pictures are very small but scanning them in at a high resolution you can see more details. Although most people prefer black and white photography from the past I would love to have some colour pictures as well from the period. Some photographs we have were printed from very poor quality cameras. Some time in the 70's the main camera we had was of the 'Disc' type and the resolution was poor. Some of the colour photographs we have are no match for the quality of the much older 'Brownie' camera. The negative size the brownie made was much bigger than the later colour disc camera. Only now looking back I realise buying cheap cameras were a mistake but again Neither myself or Frank had much money. I think the first camera Frank bought was bought in 'Hector Greys' a famous shop for selling cheap goods. That camera actually produced very good quality black and white photographs. Later colour cameras were not as good. I have many photographs from the 60's and early 70's taken with the cheap black and white special and the quality is superb. that will be for another post.

Talbots Inch, Kilkenny

Grandad Maguire, was born in Birkenhead. He came from irish parents who moved to Birkenhead. Still havn't found much information about that time but apparently Grandad came back to Ireland to work in a newly established Furniture Factory near Kilkenny. Talbots Inch is about 2.5km from Kilkenny and it became a kind of 'Model' Village. The Countess of Desert (Dysart) was a wealthy English woman who spent her money freely improving the town. She also built and established a Woolen Mills, built houses for the workers and also built a very early Suspension bridge for people to reach the Mill. Grandad worked in the factory for a number of year. Dad told me however at some time the Countess either ran out of money or perhaps after Ireland gaining Independance, the factory came in to the hand of the workers as a kind of Co-Operative. Cant be really certain but according to my Dad and I seem to remember Grandad saying, the workers ran the factory into the ground. It was commonplace for many workers to walk out with goods without paying and eventually the factory must have closed down. Possibly it actually burnt down, I cant remember and there is no other record.
Here is a very old photograph of the Suspension Bridge. Again it is long gone. Following a flood in the late 1930's the whole bridge was swept away. No one had bothered maintaining the bridge and it was never replaced. Possibly because the Countess was of English descent , and there was a very Anti british feeling following Independance. Apart from the Factory, the Countesses House was also damaged in a fire. Some of the Houses she built are still there and one recently sold on 'daft.ie' for nearly 500,000 euro.
I have just found out that my Dad did have a camera at the time. Mum says at the time if you collected cigarette cards, given with packets of cigarettes you could send away for a 'brownie' camera. Dad didnt smoke but as he lived over a shop and sometimes worked in the shop many customers used to give Dad their unwanted cards and he must have got enough to send off for a camera.

Watergate, Kilkenny II

2 photos, First is of Mrs. Maguire, (My GrandMother) tending to the back garden behind the shop. Quite a lot of plants and a little rockery which my Father continued in Cherryfield and Mum still has loads of pots all over the back garden, so must be some kind of tradition now. Second is one Mrs. and Mrs. Maguire. Not sure if my father had a camera as a young boy or did some photographer come to take some photos. Cameras were fairly scarce then and the photographs themselves are very small, just about the size of passport photos.

Old Photos

Scanned in some photos, which also helped remind me of some of the stories behind the photos. First up is of our Grandad at work in Dublin. As previously told he returned to Dublin late in the 1950's and got a job working as a Carpenter in a shop fitters. In fact it was one of his better jobs even though by now nearing retiring age. Grandad often told us his stories as we collected him from Mass on Sunday. For some reason he went to a Church near Mount Street and we waited for him in Dads car after we had gone to Mass in Johns Lane. On the way home he usually told us another of his stories. When he worked for the Dublin Shopfitters he mainly made up interiors for Pubs, Shops and Banks. The majority of the work being done in the factory and they then often had to go to a shop or bar after closing time and install the new interior and have it ready for the shop to reopen. Sometimes he used to get Dad to drive us to one of the shops he had help refit. In his garage in Kilmainham he always had loads of scraps of wood, odd smelling bottles of oil and french polish, old bent nails and so on. At home he used to make up small bits of furniture from scraps of wood, packing cases. He used to straighten old nails and screws, anything to save on materials. When times were hard he got into the habit of 'making do' and mending.

Grandad and a house in the 50's

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!

Watergate, Kilkenny

Dad was born in Watergate, Kilkenny. Really in the centre of Kilkenny City near the Smithwicks Brewery. The Maguires lived over a shop and Dads Aunt ran a Newsagent. Dad often told me about some of the odd things that happened in the 1920s. The shop being a newsagent meant Dad could read all the papers and magazines without having to buy them and thus spent hours under the gaslight reading them. Kilkenny was one of the first cities to have an early form of electricity. The local Brewery was built near a good supply of water (naturally) and the 'Smithwicks' brewery had its own mill race and water mill wheel which was used to provide motive power for the brewery. In the evenings when the brewery didnt need all the power of the Mill Wheel and according to Dad they used the spare power to generate electricity. So a few of the more wealthy inhabitants of Kilkenny could pay to have a basic power supply in the evenings. Later on the 1930s Ireland embarked on a 'Rural Electrification Scheme and the shop in Kilkenny finally got rid of gas lighting. In fact the old gas pipes were kept and the electricians use the old pipework to thread the new electric wiring around the house. One of the down sides of having a house beside a brewery built beside a river was that the river used to flood in Winter. According to Dad again, occasionally they were trapped upstairs as the floodwater rose to cover the downstairs entirely. I think it was true as eventually the house was knocked by the local council and they never built on the site, it is still a car park. The Brewery is still there although for how much longer is anyones guess. Dad himself was fond of the odd 'Smithwicks Barley Wine' but very few drink that nowadays and Smithwicks Ale has lost out to more modern european drinks and brands.
I am not sure when the shop closed down but as the Maguires never owned the shop, they had to move out when the shop went out of business. Dads Father worked all around Ireland and rarely found work in Kilkenny, Dad moved to Dublin to work in the Civil Service and the rest of the Maguires eventually moved to Dublin.
Mrs Maguire ( my Grandmother ) came up to Dublin with her Sister and my Aunt Maureen. My Grandad remained working in Galway. Some time after my Mum and Dad were married in the 1950's, Dad told Mum he had written to his Father simply saying he was coming down to Galway to meet him at the train station and if (Grandad) wanted to come back with them to Dublin he would be most welcome. Dad said to Mum he did not think Grandad would come back to Dublin or Home as it now was. Grandad lived in 'Digs' for years which were cheap guest houses where you got a bed to sleep and meals provided by the usual tyrannical landlady. Dad had bought a secondhand Morris Minor and he drove down hoping that Grandad would be at the trainstation. He didnt know if there would be anyone there, that was the time of few telephones and communications were not like today. Finally arriving at the train station in Galway my Grandad was there waiting with all his belongings and old suitcases. At last in the 1950s the Maguires had their own house to live in, and I suppose their finally was somewhere called Home for Grandad to come home to. Normally a Father tells the Son what to do but I suppose in this case, My Father had come to Dublin, had a good job. The Maguires got an Inheritance from a fairly rich Uncle and my Dad had pursuaded everyone to buy a house in Kilmainham. Getting Grandad to come 'home' was the final piece of the jigsaw. Dad was never one to share his feelings but he must have ben very fond of his Father and he was prepared to drive hundreds of miles to Galway with only a hope of someone being there in Galway to collect.
On the journey home to Dublin, Mum tells me they had to stop numerous times as the little Morris Minor only had very basic windscreen wipers and it rained the whole way home to Dublin. I have never heard what happened when they all were united in Dublin, but if it were a film the narrator would have said the rain was all the tears of joy of a husband and wife finally re united after years of being apart and only occasionally together as a family.

Wish List

Just before booking the last or next holiday really, I decided to do up another list of possible destinations. Decided to write down 15 places I would like to visit and then did the old David Bowie trick of cutting up the list into 15 bits of paper, put them into a bag and made a list on what came out first. I have decided I dont have to stick rigidly with the list. Have to take into consider where Mum would like, the time of year and what special deals might be on offer. The list is as follows:
Sorrrento (Including Naples, Capri, Amalfi Coast)
Cologne (Bonn, Wupperthal, Konigswinther )
Beauvais (Giverney, Rouen, Amiens)
Barcelona
Budapest
Southern Belgium ( Thuin, Charleroi, + Lille in France)
Prague
Zurich ( St. Gallen, Appenzell, various Swiss Railway Journeys)
Berlin
Majorca
Collioure ( Southern France )
Porto
Austria.

There are still many places to visit and revisit. Also if it wasnt such a rip off a trip on the Orient Express train. However at nearly 2,000 euro for 1 day and night it can wait a few more years or just remain on the wishful thinking list. Also must go and see the Monaco Grand Prix, also very expensive.
The next trip is off to Florence with side trips to Assisi, Pisa, Siena also planned. Also hope to go to Maranello to see the Ferrari and Maserati museums and catch a glimpse of a red Ferrari being tested around the streets of the town. Will have to make do with a scale model Ferrari instead of a full sized one for now.
Maybe one day will be able to go on the Orient Express to Venice, then on the Maranello to pick up my new full sized car, could of course get the Chaffeur to deliver it to the railway station in Venice then race back to Monaco just in time to view the Monaco Grand Prix from a private Yacht. Wishful thinking!

June 2009

Florence is the next holiday destination. Flying in to Bologna and staying there for a couple of days. Possibly get a chance to go to the Ferrari Museum at Modena, another long time dream to be fulfilled.
Then on to Florence. Managed to get a City centre Hotel near the Railway Station and Duomo. Last time we visited Florence we stayed outside in a holiday camp and it simply took too much time travelling and also couldnt stay late in the City due to train timetables. Also the 'free' campsite Bus only went to the train station if you bribed the driver several euro, and he did this for all the passengers.
Also hope to go by train to Assisi, Pisa, also must go to Siena and hopefully San Gimiano. Lots to see, taste feel and drink.

Have to scan in the photos from the last visit as I had a regular i.e. non digital camera.

Vienna 2009 pt II

Great thing about going to a City for a second visit is you should waste less time going the wrong direction, making stupid mistakes! Well supposedly. Didnt make many but there were a few mistakes or more correctly wrong turns due to Austrian errors and even the odd google error. Firstly the Airport posed no problems and we even had someone to bring Mum on a swift wheelchair jaunt right out to the new Train Station. However arriving at Vienna, the station doesnt connect with the Underground yet. there is a load of building work and upon exiting the train station you must do a 270 degree waltz around a block. One day the whole thing will be complete. Then the directions given by the Hotel suggested getting 2 trams to the Hotel and no indication where to find the tram. Getting the Underground would have been only one shorter journey but for some reason the Hotel or Google want you to take the much longer journey.
Another Austrian 'cock up' has been to change the numbers of some of the Tram routes or rather change the routes of the existing numbers? tram 1 and 2 used to do a complete circular route right round the inner city. Now an 'improvement' changes this and both routes divert of the 'ring' and out into the Suburbs, so one night we found ourselves lost in outer Vienna. Amazingly we bumped into some people from Longford who put us back on our way. Vienna now have a Vintage tram service which does the traditional 'ring' service but its a special half hourly service and one of the few things that I was dissapointed with, its not a real old tram just a 1960s tram painted bright yellow and filled with Computer monitors and sounds.
One of the days we went to Baden by tram which was a pleasant trip, certainly a very pretty town full of floral displays, beautiful shops and picture perfect buildings almost too perfect like a Disney World street scene. On the Friday we took a combined train and boat trip to Melk and Krems, it took up most of the day. Most evenings we went to the world famous Central Cafe, Mum wanted to hear the piano man playing and it was a very nice way to end an evening eating fabulous cakes an Austrian beer or Melange and not that expensive and cheaper in fact than in a Dublin Cafe or Pub, which surprises me. I think if the owners knew how expensive Dublin is they would be surprised.
It has always been a slight ambition of mine to have a snack and drink up on one of those revolving Restaurants atop of one of those communication tower things. Theres one in London but alas it isnt open to the Public so I was delighted to find they had two in Vienna. So we went to the Donauturn Tower and although some would be bored, I was facinated to feel the Restaurant turn slowly and watch the City scape changing. From the Tower we then went up the Vienna Woods to another Cafe, again with great views looking down on Vienna. Since the last visit they had built a new additional Hotel and several Cafes up in the Vienna Woods, and someone had even left out traditional deck chairs so you could rest your weary feet and grab a few rays of sun while have another melange or ice cream.

Tour Plan

Have decide on a rough tour plan for Vienna. Going to waltz out to Baden one day. Baden is a 'Spa' town and from the Centre of Vienna there is an Interurban tram which goes all they way to Baden through the streets of Vienna and countryside, its the type of short trip I love. You get a chance to see where the Vienese live and see some of the countryside and if you wish can get off mid journey if you se an interesting place or wish to take a photograph. I am sure there will be lots to see in Baden, cafes and restaurants to while away an afternoon. There are still hot baths/springs available as well.
Another day there is a trip to 2 Old Towns. Take the train to Melk and then a boat trip along the Danube (I think) to Krems and later home by train.
Another day its of up the hills above Vienna by tram 38 to Grinzing, where there are many restaurants and cafes and shops. A further bus up the hills bring you to a viewing position where you can get a great view of the city below. Last time we found an old fashioned little restaurant with marvellous views of Vienna. Mum really liked it and me also. I mentioned it before but Mums old friend Sheila would have love it and I think our Dad would have gone there every day if he ever had visited. Probably a bit old fashioned and not to everyones taste but the food was good, not that expensive considering the view and the fact that Vienna isnt a cheap city. I think it was only about ten or fifteen Euro for something to eat and a glass of vino. Back in Ireland if theres a nice view and they build a Cafe you will definately find a huge premium is put on the fact that you have a view while you dine.

Probably try a visit to see some music and also a visit to some of Viennas famous Cafes.
Photo of the Restaurant with a view. The cafe is called Cafe Cobenzl. Reading their website the whole area was built up as long ago as 1800, there has been several rebuildings after various wars and the present cafe dates back only to 1980 and was built deliberately old fashioned. http://www.cobenzl.com/

Vienna 2009

Spent most of Christmas looking around at possible holidays. Usually go to the 'List' of places still to visit or go back to. Anyhow eventually a combination of easy flights at the right price and decent weather in April lead to a return to Vienna. Previously we flew to Bratislava or Vienna as RyanAir seem to think it is. And then an enjoyable bus to the outskirts of Vienna. This year getting a direct flight to the real Vienna Airport. Found great rooms in the Mozart Hotel near the very centre of Vienna. For once the Hotel is in some of the Travel Guides as being a good 3 star Hotel. Dont imagine Mozart ever visited but according to one guide the American Army stayed there during the WW2 bash.
Random photograph from the last trip to Vienna.