Category Archives: Story

By Michéal De Paor Words of Wisdom (Part One)I was born two doors away in the County Hospital in Portlaoise and lived on what was called the corner of the Block. This prestigious location meant that the Jail was on the far side of the road, while St Fintan’s Mental Hospital and the Morgue wereContinue reading “Words of Wisdom”

A letter in the Irish Times by General Gordon described the prevailing condition of the Irish peasantry in terms uncannily reminiscent of other witnessed over two centuries. He found them “patient beyond belief….loyal, but at the same time broken spirited and desperate, living on the verge of starvation in places where we would not keepContinue reading “Ballinrobe 1880”

You remember when there were no mobile phones, and our phones were black heavy objects with a front circular dial, which were situated on a small table in the hallway. Then in the 90s our children, nieces and nephews started arriving in with this new device called a “Mobile Phone”. Overnight our means of communicationContinue reading “My Transistor Radio”

I was so excited, I would be able to visit my son, daughter-in-law and 3 littlegrandchildren all under 8. They live in Claremorris, and I had last seen them onthe 2nd March, had chatted on Face time, but it’s not the same. Up early, made a batch of queen cakes with butter icing, as allContinue reading “29th June 2020-Phase 3 of “Lockdown””

By Michéal De Paor My excited thoughts as I woke centered on going to my first Football International match, Ireland V Spain in the European Nations Cup. Although, I had been to the Leinster Football Final in 1963 and almost cried all the way home as Dublin beat Laois, today was different as I wouldContinue reading “Ireland V Spain 8th April 1964”

By Loretta Kenny I was born in 1957 in a small rural village in Co. Wexford. My parents ran a fairly large business which consisted of a Grocery Shop, a Mill and a Public House. I lived over this business until I was nearly twelve years of age and I would like to share withContinue reading “The Pub”

By Colette Moore The sadness overwhelms me, even though I’d always been told I’d had the “gift of the gab” on this occasion I’m lost for words, not so much lost, but trying to find the right words. I’m sad because such a huge part of my childhood is lost to memory, I’m trying toContinue reading “My May Altar”

By Marie Conlon This special Mass occurred long ago, when a house in the Parish was chosen by the Priest to say Mass in. This was a practice that had continued from the Penal times when the celebration of Mass was forbidden. For the family, it was an honour to be chosen but did involveContinue reading “The Mission Mass”

By Marie Conlon The Wake was a custom where mourners gathered in the persons own hometo keep vigil over their dead until they were buried. It was an important part ofthe grieving process and was seen as a chance to celebrate the dead person’slife and to offer condolences and support to the family. There wereContinue reading “The Wake “Sorry for Your Trouble””

– By Colette Moore – Old Mrs. Quinn stood in the kitchen. Strands of her dull white hair falling from the bun she neatly placed in it earlier this morning. Her shawl loosely draped from her shoulders. In her hand she held an old envelope, from that envelope she took a note and laid itContinue reading “Looking Forward to Knock”