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Vincent Casey
My husband is John Pullen, son of Tom Pullen and I believe that Larry is the son of Butch (Robert) Pullen, as mentioned in the article, is in fact a relative of my husband. I am trying to trace some sort of family tree for him and whilst his mother Joyce is still alive, her memory is fading and with all of the brothers and sister of Tom deceased now, this is proving difficult. I wonder if Larry is still working with you and if you would kindly pass on my email address so that I can talk to him. It’s such a shame as we were over in Dublin just before Christmas for Ray Pullen’s funeral. We in fact met up with Robert Pullen Jnr and Kit at this time. I also would ask if you could possibly send via email the two photographs in the body of the article, unfortunately they will not load and I can only see the picture of the school. We think this is Butch and would like to confirm. By the way a great website and a joy to read. Keep up the good work, it is great. Yours hopefully and sincerely Dear Madam Editor It was interesting to read many of the individual portions of each book. A grandfather called Jim Lambe was able to show his family and granddaughters where he was born– see the drawing on page 130 of the Roads book– he was born in Turner’s Cottages in the facing house in the corner. Again many thanks on behalf of all my Ringsend members. I hope if there is a further book, it might mention Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne, both of which were founded in the area. Again many thanks Dear Madam Editor As an old Raytowner born in Stella 72 years ago (left there in 1958) I have fond memories of going to the dumps after school every day to pick coke. I also got the odd sauce bottle or jam jar and took them to Haltons to get money so I could go to the Regal cinema. Last time I was in Ringsend in 1999 my son and I went into the barbers for a hair cut. It was a great surprise to have Jim Driver cut my hair, the last time we had met was sitting together in Mr McCarthy’s class Star Of The Sea 1944. It was the longest cut ever. I was sorry to hear he had died last year R.I.P. If any of your lovely readers remember me it would be nice to hear from you. It’s amazing any of us is still alive for Ringsend then was all smells and dust. My first job was the statue factory next to Coadys. After more than 50 years away I still miss it and call it home. Yours Sincerely Ed. We will put you on our mailing list, Tony, and if anyone wants to get in touch with you they can get your address from the office Dear Madam Editor My grandfather, James Maguire, along with William (Archie) Murphy and others, opened the cinema in Fitzwilliam Street in the 1920’s. At that time Grandfather lived at 26 Irishtown Road (Next to Byrne’s Dairy) and his mother, Catherine Maguire nee Byrne, owned Maguire’s shop across the road from the cinema. As both my grandfather and Archie Murphy had young adult children at home looking for employment, Michael Maguire and Elizabeth (Lily) Murphy, were put on the staff of the new venture. My uncle Mick as Projectionist and Lily Murphy was in the Box Office looking after the money. Now, was that not a clever move. However, family rumour is that the uncle and Lily started to ‘do a line’ and smitten as Mick was with Lily it was not unusual for them to be chatting in the foyer instead of him being upstairs getting the picture started. The romance blossomed leading to Michael Maguire and Lily Murphy getting married at St Patrick’s Ringsend on Wednesday 23rd July 1933. Looking back, thanks to NewsFour, I can honestly say that my uncle Mick and Aunt Lily, my godparents, were the most devoted couple that I have ever come across. To this day, my children, when I am talking about my family in Dublin, (daily) they will say “Your aunt Lily, was she the one who always had lovely ham sandwiches.” I met my wife and eventually settled in England thanks to two Ringsenders, Tommy Kiernan and Pat Lambert from Stella Gardens, who had come across to work in Cheshire in the early 1950’s. At that time I was an engineer in the MN and had a Christmas ashore to meet up with my long time friends. The meeting lead to Norah and I starting a courtship in 1953. On the nostalgia trip, another very very dear friend of mine, George McLoughlin, ex 61 Derrynane Gardens, now of Philadelphia, regularly talks about the old days and one of our topics is who lived where in Derrynane Gardens in our days. The agreed start is always Nolan’s at No.1 followed by Delaney’s at No. 2, McKenna’s at No. 3 and Larrigan’s at No. 4 ending up with Mooney’s at No. 77 whilst lower down from Londonbridge we had Smith’s at No. 72. Murray’s at No. 73 and the Barr family at No. 74. When trying to express my thanks and gratitude to Ann Ingle and her staff words fail me, a first say my daughters adding “Is it possible that NewsFour will shut him up about Dublin and the old times.” They are joking of course ???, of course they are, I hope. Donal McKenna Ed. Can Tony Kiernan be related to the Tommy Kiernan Donal writes about I wonder? Dear Madam Editor I have to say your paper is far superior to those I come across here in England. The letters column is interesting and the poetry section is great too. I liked the poem ‘Ode to Bang Bang’. I used to refer to him as Bang Bang Charlie.
Geoffrey P. B. Lyon Ed. If anyone wants to become Geoffrey’s ‘regular friend’ we can pass on his address. See letter from Mandi Pullen. Above is a picture of pupils from the old Boys’ National School, Thorncastle Street, about 1944–47. Robert (Butch) Pullen is pictured in the front row, fourth from left. Pictured are Geoffrey and Annie Lyon. |
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Dear Madam Editor
I shall be seeking a regular friend in Dublin 4. One of my hobbies in life is communication. I have friends across Europe but I need a fresh link and where better than Dublin. OK so people are lazy generally when it comes to corresponding for many reasons. I would just like to link up with a local author, or any kind of writer or poet because I do that kind of thing myself.