Brian Nolan's Blog Posts Tagged 'Loughrea' (8)

Unpacking 'The Wreck of the Hesperus'

'You look like the wreck of the Hesperus' was a much-used phrase in our house in Loughrea, 20 miles from the sea at Galway Bay. Boys, well you know boys, they never comb their hair, never wash their hands, wear the same clothes forever. . . . You know the type, and obstinately oblivious of their appearance. In Ireland,…

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Added by Brian Nolan on January 7, 2017 at 8:30am — 6 Comments

Recalling Fair Days in Ireland

O! farmer, strong farmer!

You can spend at the fair

But your face you must turn

To your crops and your care.

And the crowds at the fair,

The herds loosened and blind,

Loud words and dark…

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Added by Brian Nolan on October 18, 2015 at 6:30pm — 7 Comments

The Knife Sharpener

Every couple of years this man would come to Loughrea, County Galway and set up shop on the footpath outside Molloy's Harp Bar on Main Street. He was an itinerant blade grinder, or knife sharpener.

Folks would get wind he was in town and quickly a queue would…

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Added by Brian Nolan on June 2, 2015 at 6:30am — 6 Comments

Irish Famine-Era 'Farthing' Sells for $102.50

This farthing coin was recently sold on eBay for $102.50. When it was minted in 1842, as a trading token by James O'Flynn it was worth only a quarter of one penny. James O'Flyn(n) was listed under 'Linen and Woollen Drapers…

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Added by Brian Nolan on January 27, 2015 at 9:30am — 1 Comment

Gold in Them There Hills - Tynagh, County Galway, Ireland

On a sunny afternoon in the early 1960s, a Canadian sea-plane touched down on the silvery-grey waters of Loughrea lake, taxied to a jetty and tied off. The children swimming at Long Point were distracted for a while but quickly returned to doggy-paddle and soccer on that…

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Added by Brian Nolan on September 25, 2014 at 8:00am — 1 Comment

Easter Eggs -- A County Galway Tale

With nine million chocolate Easter eggs being eaten in Ireland over Easter, I wondered if our children have any idea what life was like for our parents and grand-parents.

My grandfather, Michael Brody, operated a general store, grocery, hardware,…

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Added by Brian Nolan on April 22, 2014 at 5:30am — 1 Comment

Yule and Mairgead Mór

Over most of Western Europe, particularly in those areas connected with the ancient Celts, December 21, the shortest day of the year fell during the Druidic festival of 'Yule'. Today it is better known as the festival of the ‘Winter Solstice’.

‘Thoul’, an ancient word for…

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Added by Brian Nolan on December 18, 2013 at 11:30am — 2 Comments

Snuff at a Wake and Other Pipe Dreams

While yet a teenager, I collected most of these clay pipes around Loughrea, in county Galway, some from the lake shore, some from under the water using a snorkel and mask, the smallest ones from the bottom of a hole I was digging in Elephant and Castle, while working as a student in…

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Added by Brian Nolan on December 16, 2013 at 6:00pm — 3 Comments

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