By Pauline O’Flynn
Where do I begin? My wonderful Creative Writing course in UCC taught us first thing to remember is to go from the known to the unknown, so here goes.
Easter Sunday 1916 – an important time in Ireland’s history – half way through WWI a good time to revolt said our wonderful patriots – England with Irish soldiers fighting with the common enemy, Germany – It’s time to rise, said Connolly, Pearse and our own hero and patriot who, in Castlelyons and Fermoy, is on the top list of those who gave their ‘Blood upon the Rose’- Thomas Kent (too young to die), but died bravely for Ireland.
Moving on to Easter Sunday 1966 – mammy and I were standing outside Cleary’s with the crowd – not a bother on me, baby kicking me, ‘due any day’, the doctor said. Parade over, Nicky met us outside the Pro Cathedral. “Had a nice lunch” said he. “Yes” said we, lying through our teeth. Moving on, mammy went home Tuesday a.m. and Eileen arrived early on Wednesday a.m. “She could have been born on O’Connell St.”, said the new granddad to mammy. “No” said I, “then she would have to be called Aprile or Constance”.
Next memory 2006 – now with four children, all brilliant thank God. Eileen born in 1966, Michael born in 1967, Nicholas born in 1968 and Ciaran born in 1969. Their dad died in 1997 unfortunately. After working so hard to pay school fees and college fees – one time he had taken on an evening job. God grant him eternal rest, he has earned it. He died too young, but he knew all four were on the right path. Anyway, tearfully after this lonely month of November, I am moving on.
On Easter Sunday morning at 7 o’clock – now living on my own. I headed off to walk to O’Connell St (no buses until 10am). I passed Mount Argus where the boys/men – Patrick Pearse, Joseph Mary Plunkett, Capt Con Colbert etc., had called in for confession the Easter day before going to the GPO. I prayed for them.
When I arrived at the G.P.O. there were a handful there, the men and women wearing medals from many wars. I knew some had been to the Somme and World War II. We talked and prayed making a promise to meet in 2016. Sadly, I knew many would have died. No sign of them in 2016. Sorry wherever you all are today, I’m lucky I’m in my home in Fermoy.
MAY 2016
The second month of Summer. Made up in my mind! – Having dusted off the photos framed in the hall of my four children in their caps and gowns – I said to myself there is room for me there! I rang Regina Sexton in UCC – to begin ‘history of art’ in September. I love it, every Wednesday with Matthew Whyte (young enough to be my grandson, Adam) who started this year to teach in Blackrock College, Dublin. 6th generation in the family of teachers, not forgetting ‘a hedge master’ before that!
Wow, I say to myself. My course is 1 year for the cap and gown – But I love it so much I want to go on for the Doctorate (I am so young?). So a little more respect then for Dr Pauline Cuddihy (if I live that long). People say to me “you are great for your age’! What way am I supposed to be? ‘Age is in the mind, not on the calendar’ – also you’re as young as you feel!
JUNE 2016
A weekend in Budapest, never there before. I love opera, ‘Rigoletto’ I had never seen performed before. Formal dressing, right up my street. Excellent guide – thank you Travel Department – my birthday treat to me. 77 years old – age in the mind only. I am only 77 after all!
JULY 2016
Highlight for me were the ceremonies at the National War Memorial Gardens in Dublin on Saturday 9th. Eileen, my daughter, is headmistress in Mount Sackville Convent School in the Phoenix Park and neighbours of President Michael and Sabina Higgins. Therefore, the President invited Eileen’s choir to sing.
She got two invitations to all the ceremony, meeting and greeting people afterwards. Her husband could not make it, so I went along, dressed for the occasion. The stories told and the hymns sung. I loved ‘We are standing on the shoulders of these who have gone before’ What truer words! I firmly believe we are.
AUGUST
A nice summer spent visiting family and friends all over Ireland and England and they came to see and stay in my home, to visit The Grand Hotel – where else to view the Blackwater and bridge from this wonderful heritage building (and of course wine and dine me there). I showed them where the choral/musical society perform in Kieran’s Palace (well named). This year’s ‘Hot Mikado’ was the best ever! Loudly plauded. The society is now 92 years old and the family joke “mother was a family member”. Ha ha!
SEPTEMBER
Grandchildren returning to school, Nicholas and Eileen returning to their respective schools, Mount Sackville and Mount St Mary’s Jesuit School (boarding) with Ciarán, who works in mental health, getting ready for new day at hospital’s first private day unit for dementia patients – anyone like a brilliant job? – Michelle recuperating Keats??
OCTOBER
The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. Beautiful weather, like September, we all said – Holy Land with Mary ‘my forever friend’. 3rd-10th walking in God’s footsteps with JWT, a brilliant trip. Home Oct 10th to learn I had a break-in – did not worry me. My daughter Michelle after major surgery before I left – recovering very well thank you God. My much loved home replaceable, my daughter not!!
NOVEMBER
Holy Souls – sad memories of my grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, my brother Brendan, my niece Maria, my nephew Kevin, school friends Joan Lysaght/Neligan, Mary Hilliard, Rosaleen’s husband Liam etc., the list goes on forever. John’s beautiful wife Barbara, Anne’s mam and dad, Lorraine’s family, Grace’s granny, Noel Higgins’s brother, Jadak Pusgcgewizg – I think I am going to cry – goodbye November.
DECEMBER
Today 1st Neil’s birthday – 24 days to Santa. Happy Christmas to all in The Grand Hotel, Lombard’s and Monday Club. Thanks to Bridget, Liam and all in The Avondhu; and to Brian Mahon who is painting my home for Christmas – sorry to be in the way as I write!
