Ambulance heroes

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Even today of course the Daisy Hill Ambulance Crews cover all of South Armagh as well as of South Down.

Blown Gasket

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Idle pipe dreams ! As per usual!

Dear Agnes,

I trust you will treat my problem sensitively – the reason why I write.

For some time I have strongly suspected my wife of having an affair.

Albigensians

St Catherines Newry

Sometimes humour gets the point over most effectively – though one needs to take care not to convey the wrong message.

Ambulance Crew forgotten victims

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The recent High Court action brought by the Police Federation on behalf of thousands of RUC officers against their Chief Constable – alleging failure of a duty of care by not providing adequate counselling to traumatised police during the recent Troubles – spurred the following offering from the wife of a recently-retired Ambulance Worker from Newry.

 

Returned Emigrant

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Paler and thinner the morning moon grew

Colder and sterner the rising wind blew;

The pole-star had ser in a forest of cloud,

And the icicles crackled on spar and on shroud,

Yesterday’s memories

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It doesn’t seem that long ago that as a child living in Newry and the long summer days that seemed to be endless and the fun we had as well as the mischief.  It makes me think back to what only could be described as the best of days. 


Cashing in our Chips

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Satellite winter of ’64:

“Baby Please Don’t Go”,

Jukebox choice with our fish and chips,

“You know I love you so.”

Bake your own bread

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I learned from my mother in The Meadow, how to bake homemade bread. It was of necessity. My father, the only wage-earner was recently deceased. There were fifteen mouths to feed.

Man of the North Countrie

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Thomas D’Arcy McGee is the most famous former citizen of Carlingford. He is renowned as an outstanding Canadian politician. He was also a poet of some acclaim. The following is his ‘Man of the North Countrie‘.

ACE workers …. more …

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We were listing past employees of The Action for Community Employment (A.C.E.) Scheme in Newry. I’m sure you know several of these here (F-H) and indeed, the first-named is today a Councillor! 

Reverie

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‘Twas midnight when I chanced to stray

Along the silent Merchants’ Quay,

Bygone Customs

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In the days of our grandparents, the woman stayed at home while the man went out to work – if he was lucky enough to be in work.  Even if he had his own farm, he would seek seasonal work to supplement his income. This might entail flax-pulling or potato picking on another man’s farm. 

Kitty Kelly

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My grandmother, Kitty Kelly, (nee Mulligan) was born in Carey’s Row, Dundalk in 1882.   At around the age of fourteen she was parcelled off to Chicago.