Childhood Memories
“Childhood Memories”
As a child, I could not wait for the summer and my trips to Grandma and Grandads at Rushill, Prizon.
There were always lots of Aunts, Uncles, and cousins there. We would have great fun bringing in the hay, collecting the eggs, and fetching the water from the well. Grandma had a butter churn and we would all fight to have a go on it. There would always be visitors popping in, we would have tea, sandwiches and cakes, and in the evenings, there would be a drop of something stronger and very often singing and dancing. My Grandfather and uncle Jerry, who played the accordion, which they were so good at, and all my Aunts would sing and dance, afterwards someone would tell us a story. They were wonderful times and I feel so lucky and privileged to have shared them.
One of my earliest memories is when I was about five, my Grandmother took back the fields to milk a cow. As she sat pulling on the cow’s teats, I saw the frothy milk going into the bucket. ls that where you get your milk from? I asked, yes, she said laughing, Why? Where do you get your milk from? I simply replied - the Milkman, I couldn't possibly drink your milk. Laughing, she tapped me on the head and said, "well we best order the milk man to bring you some milk while you are here." Every holiday for many years, I would collect my special bottle of milk from the doorstep. My great uncle Doyle, Pat Morrison, Mrs. Delaney and many other neighbours would always say they knew when I was home because of the noisy milkman coming so early in the morning. It was a good four to five years before I cottoned onto the big joke.
Churn at Clonbur.
Location: Clonbur; Cloonbur, Co. Galway
Photographer Caoimhín Ó Danachair
On one holiday, I spent a short time at Prizon School, taking my special bottle of milk and some sandwiches with me. However, I was always too shy to eat them there and would stop at the 'WELL on the way home and have a little picnic. Everyone was so nice to me at school, I have nothing but happy memories.
This is very special time for everyone to reflect on our past and to look towards the future, to meet old friends and make new ones. I am looking forward to spending time with my lovely aunts, uncles and cousins, and with special friends, especially the Morrison’s who are such wonderful families, and all our great neighbours.
I would also like to take this opportunity to say how lucky I have been to have the greatest Mum and Dad in the world! They have always worked so hard all their lives to give my brothers, myself and my daughters so much, and given us such a happy life, knowing things have not always been easy for them.
God Bless to everyone.
Have a great reunion.
Love - Denise Lohan (daughter of Kitty Kennedy)