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When I was
about eight years old my aunt Margaret, home on holiday from England decided
to take me on an outing to Omeath. It
was an exciting adventure for the trains still ran to Carlingford.
We also had
a jaunting car ride out to Calvary, the shrine
out at St Michael’s College. We walked
back and the sea air gave us an appetite. My aunt decided to treat us to High Tea in the Railway Hotel. This was a very imposing and posh place with
Silver Service and waitresses dressed in black and white outfits.
I even
remember the fare. We had salmon salad
with fancy breads and pastries on a tiered cake stand. When the bill came, my aunt nearly went into
shock! At a time when dinner could be
had for three shillings, High Tea cost her twelve shillings and sixpence. It was 7/6 for hers and 5/- for me.
Aunt
Margaret asked if I had enjoyed the Tea and when I reassured her I had, she
responded
‘’Well I
hope so! For it’ll be a long time before
you get another! At these prices!’
Thirty
years later she and I returned to visit Omeath. Sadly the Hotel, like the whole town, had fallen into decline.
Editor’s
note: Though the village of Omeath
still reflects that aura of ‘time and the Celtic Tiger having passed it by’,
there is much development of recent years. It’s well worth another visit! |
Reminiscence 
