Search Results for 'Strokestown Co'

Because most people in Brigid Kavanagh’s farming community near Strokestown, Co Roscommon, did not have a radio in September 1939, no one knew that war was declared between Britain and Germany until some time later.

“Boats from the Long Walk as well as the Boraholla boats were plying, and the shouting of the boatmen 'Who’s for Menlo, twopence a head, children free' rent the air …. It is a slow voyage but no-one minds. Joe Banks, piper to the King plays ‘The Rakes of Mallow'. Joe Kelly is piping in another boat, which is occupied by the Mayor of Galway …… Sweet vendors were working night and day preparing sugar-sticks and kiss-pipes which were sold in colours of red and white at a half-penny each ….. the cries of different vendors of eatables and drinks rent the air: ‘Cider a penny a glass …. The real juice of the American apple; Guinness threepence per pint and minerals twopence per bottle’ is the shout …… Puritans and temperance fanatics were unknown …. The ladies in the enclosure, which was at this side of the castle, with their sunshades and costumes of mid-Victorian days, looked beautiful. The villagers and colleens with their shoulder-shawls and neat pinafores were a picture of neatness and comeliness. They were all dressed — not undressed as they are today. Lady Blake hands the prizes and cups to the successful crews. The Miss Blakes are chatting in good old Irish to Maureen, Shawneen and Paudeen.”

The lot of a country girl growing up in rural Ireland in the 1930s and 40s was a lottery. If her family had a decent farm, and were relatively well off, she could go to university or train as a nurse, and could marry a prosperous farmer.

Leading Galway property expert DNG Maxwell Heaslip & Leonard has once again recorded huge turnouts at its latest open viewings ahead of its upcoming auction on Friday November 27. The company is bringing almost 40 properties to the auction floor in the Radisson Blu Hotel in what is sure to be a must-attend day for those in the market who are looking for value.

With the arrival of winter, the auction team in DNG Maxwell Heaslip & Leonard are busy putting together the finishing touches to the last of their 2015 autumn auction series. The November 27 auction will see almost 40 lots come to the market with the usual eclectic mix of properties, with something to suit all types of buyer. The Galway city based auction expert is going from strength to strength and looking to continue with its 92 per cent success rate at auction.