DCU Blog Class Image Uploads

Moon over Leenaune

Canal Walk

Matterhorn holiday

Connemara

Leenaune

Dublin then and now

Dublin in the rare 'Auld Times.'



My city of birth has changed a lot since I was a chap in the '40s. Back then we had Nelson Pillar, which was blown to bits sometime in the sixties. There were trams running along the middle of O'Connell St as far as the Pillar.Now we have the Luas tram running across O'Connell St. Bewleys Cafe in Westmoreland St was the spot for a 'cuppa'.The aroma from those coffee beans was a joy to behold. The Metropole, where we danced the night away to the music of Phil Murtagh's band, sadly gone. My first memories go back to when Caffolla's Ice Cream Parlour sat right beside Lemons' Pure Sweets shop. My uncle would take us to town from Drimnagh by bus on a Saturday afternoon and it was pure magic. Happy times then. Today, Dublin is a lot different. High rise glass buildings all along the quays. Maybe it's because of my age, but Dublin is just not the same. It has lost much of it's character. Progress yes but at what cost.

connemara pic

My thoughts on the Recession

Recently while attending the ILP class at DCU, a question was put to us older learners as to what the last two recessions were like as far as we could remember.

Assuming that mid 1950 into 1960’s was the first one and then the second one in 1980, I can really say that I don’t remember too much of either.

I left school in 1955 and started work as a junior accounts clerk in a temporary capacity. I was very lucky to get employment then as many of my classmates had to take the boat to England and some, further afield to the US or Canada.

Filing cards in a stuffy office for the first few months was my lot and how I loathed it, but needs must. There were six siblings and ‘the ma’ decided how much ‘dosh’ I could keep out of my wage packet. The rest went into family coffers to support the others. I had no say in the matter.

Life was simple back then. I’m sure my parents would have found it a struggle to feed,clothe and educate us but we managed to get by. All of our neighbours would have been in the same boat so we did’nt stand out as being different.

In the early 1980’s I was the sole wage earner rearing a young family. When we got married it was the custom for the female to quit work. It was however possible to supplement income with regular overtime. This lessened the pinch of the recession.

This latest recession has been visited upon us in retirement. While we have a roof over our head and not lumbered with a mortgage we are grateful for small mercies. Some of our offspring suffer the plight of negative equity so we understand at first hand what it is like to eeek out an existence.

As a retired couple we are lucky in that we have reasonable health. The medical card is a boon although the 50 cent prescription charge is a downer. There are demands on the meagre pension which must be met. The big ones are health insurance, ESB, Gas,NTL,phone/broadband. Thank goodness for Lidl food wise.

It’s sad after working for 46 years as a PAYE earner and PRSI payer that we reach this sorry pass. While retired for the past 10 years I dread the thought of the next ten if I live that long. God only knows what this Government has in mind for ‘the little people’.

My only weapon is my vote and I intend using it wisely. Change is needed now and may the opportunity come soon.

Tommy's first test post

Hi All,
This is my first test post for my blog. The old brain is sleepy at the moment but I'm sure I'll get there eventually, so here goes. Keep tuned in.