Dear
Madam Editor
I have just read ‘News Four’ August and loved every page.
It is sent to me by my nephew Raymond Hamilton who lived in 79 Coastguard
Station Pigeon House Road where I was born and lived for 21 years until
coming to Australia in 1951.
What a lovely surprise to see the photo of Ringsend Mission Hall, 1955.
Three of them, Randal, Jean, Hazel Elliott were my next door neighbours.
When I was leaving for Australia in 1951, Hazel wrote a beautiful poem
put it in a little frame she made. I still have it after 53 years so you
can see how lovely it was for me to see her photo in your paper. Thank
you so much for such a wonderful memory. Hazel’s wonderful poem
has been seen by my 10 children. Hazel would remember me as Josie Campbell
in No. 79.
Also lovely to see Jim Driver in his dad’s shop where my Daddy and
brother Michael always went for a hair cut. Ringsend Bridge and Chapel,
what lovely memories of riding over it four times a day coming to and
from work in Arnotts home to lunch then back again past wolf whistles
from bottle house lads sitting on the footpath having lunch– good
auld days.
I would like to ask you about a photo on page 13 of 4 tennis players,
one name was Tadgh Kennelly. We have an Irish lad here playing Australian
rules football, same name. I wonder if that’s his Dad in your picture.
Our Tadgh is pretty famous. I knew a Jimmy Ingle in my day, do you know
of him? Also went to school with a Mary McGuinness, sister Eileen.
Thank you for all wonderful memories - they mean a lot to us Emigrants.
Regards Josie Lynch,
Melbourne, Australia.
Dear Madam
Editor
I would like through NewsFour to send this reminder to all theParents,
Past Pupils and Friends of Marian College
As you may know, we have booked the National Concert Hall for a 50th Anniversary
celebration on Tuesday 12th October. Some of you may remember our 40th
Anniversary concert in the N.C.H., which was a huge success, and played
to a packed house. This one promises to be even bigger and better, a night
of celebration and nostalgia, with a party atmosphere.
There will be music and dance by pupils, past-pupils and special guests,
with excerpts from shows and music from the popular, jazz, classical and
traditional repertoires. We also plan to have a 150 strong choir made
up of pupils, past-pupils, teachers and guests.
Booking can be done in either of two ways: 1. Directly with the N.C.H.
(there is no charge for credit card bookings). 2. By filling in the booking
form available from Marian College or ‘NewsFour’ and returning
it to the college as soon as possible. Remember, the earlier you book,
the better seats you’ll get– so send in your booking form
(with payment please). Tickets cost €15 or €10.
Yours sincerely,
Ray Ryan,
Musical Director.
Dear Madam
Editor
I would like first to compliment your people on a very interesting new
paper. A friend of mine Christy Kelly visited Dublin this spring and mailed
the newspaper to me from Los Angeles where he and his family live now.
We keep in touch us old-timers as we seem to be the only two left.
I am from Pearse House flats. Your newspaper brought back some great memories
for me which bring tears to my eyes now. My tears of reminiscence are
now mixed with tears of bereavement. I am very alone in this big house
on my island as I lost my wife of 40 years two years ago. It still feels
like yesterday, we never had any children. My heart is in Dublin, Ireland
I keep hoping and praying to get the courage to travel there, but I think
it’s too late. Your paper brought back memories as my mother was
born right there at number 18 Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend to my grandmother
Sarah Kelly nee Mrs. Gaffney, a common name around Ringsend.
My best childhood friend Eddie Gannon was a famous soccer star for the
Shelbourne team. He married a Ringsend girl and lived in the flats beside
the church. We all had girls from Ringsend and our favorite movie house
the Regal Cinema was a hangout 2 or 3 times a week, mostly during World
War 2.
Then after the War other interests took over like Ballroom Dancing in
which I became quite accomplished especially at the Olympic Ballroom,
the Crystal, and the Balalaika of Dorset Street. Charlie Ingle from South
Lotts Road was a great ballroom dancer and his brothers John and Jimmy
were famous boxers. My last contact with Charlie Ingle was in Toronto,
Canada back in 1953/54. I often wonder if Charlie went back to Ireland.
My other great memories are of our family friend Bill Smith who married
Liz Goff of Ringsend– they had their apartment just behind the Regal
Cinema. Bill was lost at sea during the war on one of our Irish ships,
the ‘City of Ghent’ I believe. He was my father figure as
my real father was never home.
I have other great memories of my friend Noel Purcell the famous Irish
Comedian from the theatre Royal and some movies, he liked to have a drink
now and then in Irishtown on the pub at the hill, I think it was Doyles.
Also some other sea fairing people from around Irishtown– Tommy
Brice, Phil Cleary and his brother from Stella Gardens. My old and close
buddies from Pearse House are mostly all gone. I think there’s one
left who I am trying to locate, Matthew Kearns an old school chum.
I will close now. Thank you for your paper it is a great read.
Very Sincerely Yours,
John Francis Quinlan,
New York, USA.
PS. I hope your arm has healed
up by now. Please God it will.
Ed. We are so glad
you like the paper. We have an article by Noel Purcell’s son in
this issue which I hope you will enjoy. Charlie Ingle is still living
in Toronto, by the way. I have put you on our mailing list so that you
will be able to read ‘NewsFour’ on a regular basis.
Dear Madam
Editor
Thank you very much for sending the €20 Book Token which I was delighted
to receive. I look forward to choosing a good book.
With Best Wishes,
Yours Sincerely,
Betty Marsden.
Dear Parishioners
Centenary Dinner for Ringsend parishioners
As the parish is celebrating its centenary in 2005, we thought it would
be nice to celebrate with a dinner dance. We would like to know how our
parishioners feel about this. We would appreciate it if parishioners could
leave their comments about this in the box provided at the back of the
church, or talk to the priests and let them know how you feel.
It is proposed to hold the dinner dance in Jury’s Hotel in Ballsbridge
in October 2005.
Fr Michael Coady,
Parish Priest. |