The Connaught side

Jean's Journal with Jean Farrell

Twenty of us had a very pleasant time on Culture Day recently. Instead of holding poetry readings in big venues, it was decided to hold them in people’s own homes. What a wonderful idea!

Marie and Pauline Grenham were brave enough to take up the challenge. We were all invited to attend a poetry reading, in their home, in Connaught Street, on the morning of September 19 last. Information about this was on the programme of events, for Culture Day, in our town. Louise Heavin also issued an invitation to come and listen to poetry being read in her home in Beechpark.

When I walked across the bridge, to Grenhams, on the morning of September 19, I had no idea how many would be there. Marie and Pauline had no idea either! As it turned out, twenty folk arrived and this was the perfect number.

We were all invited to come upstairs, to the living quarters, over their shop. I know that many of you have been in their shop downstairs. This was a travel agency for generations. It is on the corner of Connaught Street and Pearse Street. There was a bar there, too, when I was young.

I’m sure Marie and Pauline won’t mind me commenting on their lovely home, as I only have lovely things to say!

If ‘Home of the Year’ judges, Hugh Wallace, Amanda Bone and Siobhan Lam were invited to view it, I can just imagine their response. Looking for ‘functionality, clever design, and individuality,’ I think that they would each give this beautiful home ten out of ten!

People are being encouraged to set up house over shops, in our deserted town centres. Well, Grenham’s living quarters would definitely encourage anyone to do so! Marie and Pauline have a beautiful comfortable home, second to none, over their former business premises on Connaught Street.

Poets Keith Payne and Jackie Gorman read some of their work for us. I enjoyed listening to their lovely poems very much. This was mainly because the poets explained what each one was about and then read them so well.

The whole occasion was extremely sociable. As we drank tea from china cups and ate delicious fresh scones and buns, we all chatted to each other. Doctor Rose Kirby O’Hanlon was sitting beside me. She is enjoying her retirement and is in good form. We talked about her brother, Bishop John Kirby, now aged 88. He was Bishop of Clonfert from 1988 until 2019. John is now retired and living in the west of Ireland.

Rose and I talked about how busy the Connaught side of town was, when we were young. Rose’s grandparents and my grandparents had thriving businesses here, in the past. Some of you will remember Kirby’s bar and grocery shop, at the top of Connaught Street. My ancestors, for many generations, had a butcher shop in O’Connell Street, later in Pearse Street.

I want to compliment those involved in the new ‘Connaught Street and Environs Community Group’. They have been doing great work to bring life back to this part of town. I have attended many interesting varied events organised by them. I particularly enjoyed the outdoor theatrical shows, which were marvellous and great fun. At these, I meet old friends and neighbours, which is always lovely.

O’Connell Street is where I spent my youth. I wonder does the street remember us, do the ghosts of my ancestors linger there still?

I enjoyed Gearoid O’Brien’s account of the history of No 7 O’Connell Street, in this paper recently. When we were young, Mrs Sammon had a thriving hairdressing business in this building. I remember lots of bicycles outside. This was because many country women cycled into town to have their hair done by Mrs Sammon. I also remember a line of hair-driers inside, with women sitting under them. We don’t see these anymore.

Every child who grew up in a housing estate or on a street will remember the fun they shared together, at Halloween.

Nowadays, many children don’t live beside other children. Halloween can be a bit of an anti-climax for them. I have the solution!

Halloween will be celebrated at a market, over in Connaught Gardens. Their advertisement says “Step into the magic this Halloween at our Spooktacular Market!” This market is organised by Connaught Street and Environs Community Group.

I was at one of these markets in Connaught Gardens recently. There was a great atmosphere at it, with a wide variety of stalls. These sold antiques, vintage clothing, jewellery, local crafts, doggie shop, personalised gifts, home baking, wood turning, soaps, cheese, chutneys and all sorts of goodies. Hot food and drinks were also available. I remember music too.

At the Halloween event, in Connaught Gardens, all these stalls will be there, as well as pumpkins, hay bales and spooky photo scenes for the perfect photograph. There will also a fun treasure hunt, Halloween games Spooky Corner for witches and wizards. A fancy dress competition will take place, as well as free face painting.

The last day that I was there, the children all loved the Alpacas. These gentle animals will be at their Spooktacular Market too.

I’m looking forward to attending this event on Sunday, October 26. It will be on from 12pm to 4 pm.

Do come over to support the Connaught Street and Environs Community Group. Come, even if you have no children! And if you do have little ones, I know that they will enjoy all the activity very much, as will you.

And you wouldn’t know who you might meet!