Wk 2 in the Broagh

 

Tuesday 5th July - went for a planned evening tea and some conversation with John McKenna and his wife Maureen. She informed me that her brother was at the Rainey school around the time I was there.

 

Wednesday 6th -  Had been to see Eamon Regan last week at his house in Castledawson road and as he had organised this meeting in the Parish Centre I was invited with my brother Sean to come along.

 The lunch provided was excellent ( the Parish Priest Father Gates got involved in the kitchen and service). Met several old friends and acquaintances - Billy Cushley ( an accomplished musician who had played in several bands and a friend from Anahorish almost 70 years ago ) Colm Barton ( found out we share a dislike for cheese ) we attended New Row school together in the 50's and various others whose names I remembered but not much else.

Thursday 7th -  Day trip to Donegal with sister Mary & husband Mick - first time in Donegal since train journey in the 50's to Bundoran from Carrickmore. Went through Derry by road to Moville & Buncrana and returned by the ferry - weather was dull and occasionally damp.

 

 

 This is what was happening on this beach when we went.

 Worth a mention

 

If yous are going to Ireland

especially the bit at the top,

then a brolly and wellies are grand

for yous will encounter a drop

of the stuff that lurks in the sky,

just waiting for yous to go out

if yous are there in June or July,

when the sun is rarely about.

 

 

 1960 Leavers

 Wk 1 in the Broagh summer '22

 The  main event planned for this week was on Friday 1st July.

Organised by Heather Weisener (standing at the back) and others.

Although I knew most of the names I had big problems recognising people ( apart from Heather).

The event took place in Sizzlers and spread across 2/3 hours and this meant our planned tour of the Rainey did not happen.

However the occasion was a great success and I know that others were not able to be there for various reasons but the dozen who were there should congratulate themselves just for being there.

Earlier in the week I visited my cousin Mary Mulholland in Lagans road, went to Ardboe with my sister Mary & husband Mick and paid a visit to Carrickmore to see my uncles wife Teresa.

As well as this visited several relatives in the Broagh road - a hectic week.

 

 

 

NOT THE " O" IN THE BROAGH

This is not even a letter - its a number -part of the 80 milestone which I reached this year.

We had arranged for a short break in the Broagh at the end of June so granddaughter Gemma booked her car on the Birkenhead to Belfast ferry on 24th June. Myself daughters Pauline and Siobhan with driver Gemma set off on the trip. My son John flew over later.

On the Sunday (26th) I had just settled down to watch some football match on TV when someone told me that Adele & Clodagh were singing in the "The Thatch". Off we go.

Although I had been to Anahorish many times in my teens I had never been inside "The Thatch". This first occasion was a complete surprise. 

A birthday surprise party had been organised with the music, balloons,cake and a room full of mostly familiar faces.

The music and conversations went on for a few hours.

A night to remember - to name the persons responsible for this event would be difficult so I'll just thank all concerned (they know who they are)

The Return

 

 Having spent nearly 6 weeks back in The Broagh outside Castledawson I had booked a return journey to Coventry with National Express. In hindsight I would not do this trip again.

A coach trip to Ayr and Glasgow followed by a 3 hour wait before boarding the Birmingham coach it was starting to feel like a marathon on wheels. Changed at B'ham for the Coventry coach and arrived at 7.30 am on Tuesday 2nd August.

 Had left Belfast at 3.30 on 1st August for the journey to Cairnryan.

Sixteen hours on the move.

However there was one bright section on the trip. I had managed to get the front seat on the coach to Ayr and was joined by a young woman  from Killyleagh in Co.Down. Lots of conversation (both of us were Irish) and the time went faster. She was traveling to meet a friend in Ayr and before getting of the coach she produced a handful of Fox's Glacier Mints from deep within her handbag - "have these" she said I was at a loss for words - the polar bear had been on those mints for 100 years and I was 20 years younger.

Food for thought.