In Reply to: Re: Castlebar in 1953 posted by Douglas. South Africa on July 04, 2011 at 13:24:07:

forsa cosanta atuil....and 1953...... ...a cara....hello mudda...hello fada....here i am at camp grenada....camp is very entertaining.....and they say we'll have some fun ...if it stops raining.....finner camp in the early fifties....was shangrila.....when we arrived and were processed.....we scattered to our designated huts.....the huts built on sand dunes....and the donegal shifting sands shelf.....getting to the hut first was a must ...because the early bird cathches the worm....well first in got to choose where his bed would be.....three boards...and tresles....beds had to be made in a certain way.....and watch out if you came in late ....you mind find yourself tangling in a "french bed"...a prank that caused many a laugh.....reveille ...sounded early morning ...and it was off to the mess hal.....plenty of pan loaf....rashers ...sausages and bacon.....and plenty mugs of tea.....it was the breakfast of champions.....the pre camp med. exam was hillarious.....we marched into the medical hut.....'ttent...ion....stand at ease........open your tunics and shirts .....drop your pants....cough... and if they dont bounce....you're a glugger.....the daily drills were tedious but interesting......a day at the range.....and marksmanship.....i got my marksman flash.....but after a day of this ....sgt bilko......an evening in bundoran.....was an evening in paradise.....my self and sean nolan....walked into town....and had a delightful burger in raffertys....mrs jimmy garvey ...treated us like kings....this was my first bite on a burger.....and it only meant one thing i needed another.....then we walked down to the arcade.....i went into the bargain king....and chatted with my old friend cyril chapman...and his son joe.......then we walked down towards the midway rides.....the dive bomber...the swing boats and the bumpers.....bundoran beach looked like coney island.......big surf....srong winds.....and beautiful sand......the great northern hotel....looked splendid....as it stood on a crest ....with its golf course foreground......and the girls ....they were as gorgeous as the ...the beauties of rio.....and they knew it.....the astoria ballroom was like a magical neon magnet.....and so sean and i spent a half crown .....and went into listen the best sounds this side of heaven....the local band ....played all the top songs of the day...and as the giant ball strobed the hall....the lights dimmed.....and the vocalist began to swoon and croon.....you belong to me.....and im walking behind you.....thats amore....and others.....as the night drifted into an evening romance ...and seduction....i looked over and ....here was brendan sammon....geirge conway...patsy mcloughlin....and fooie byrne...each complete in their brown crepe soled shoes ...by relyt....tylers spelt backwards.....there were girls from everywhere....fermanagh...omagh....belfast...sligo...and the scotland.....after the dance we headed back to the camp....and as we entered ....who goes there....barked from the guard room.....and so the two weeks continued......our ...refreshments were supplied at bradys bar.....where the craic was mighty...we drank ...we sang....we flirted....and were often under the watchful eye....of liuetenant joe ryan......we explored ballyshannon.....enniskillen....at the end of the camp....we paraded to the paymaster and picked up our special bonus...i think it was about 75punt......and oh too soon .....my days at finner ...came to a close.....we left for home filled with a treasure house of memories.....and a star.....the bus rolled out of bundoran....and as i sat planning my next fca camp....the shadow of ben bulben cast its spell on the countryside of sligo....drumcliiffe was near.....this was truly ...the isle of innishfree......and the gutteral sounds of barry fitzgerald rang through my ears....as he muttered ....when i drink whiskey...i drink whiskey...and when i drink water...i drink water.....lovely lough gill....bathed the area...in its swan filled ...crystal water basin....the mountains of colooney were now close at hand as we inched closer to the....the moy ....ballina ....and mayo....and as we moved closer to our destination

....castlebar.....the round tower in turlough....stood tall...and reminded me that soon too soon...i was home......the bus pulled in at tanseys....we climbed off the bus....i marched home ...to mchale road like an army vet on v day.....proud of my experiences....some miitary...and proud of our country....no sooner was i home and back in civvies....i heard that there was a weekend camp coming up at renmore.....more adventure....more fun in galway...salthill....the seapoint...and boharmore....and tofts amusements...in eyre square.....these were magical days.....when .....radio eireann still broadcast but limited time ....joe linnane was a house hold name as was ...bart bastable.....roy croft...and dinjoe....donnellys introduced skinless sausages.....paddy kelly still sold hospital sweepstakes tickets....and pat lavelle....raised prize greyhounds....and as i ramble on of 1953....i see the sun setting behind the reek.....so i will drift away to the sounds of ...les paul....and mary forde.....singing voya con dios.....another great hit of that year....

we can ask and ask....but we cant have again what once seemed forever.....the way things once looked.....that church alone on a hill....a bed on a belfry floor....a loved face....they're gone.....and you can only ask and wait.......for the pain to pass...

....canada day has just passed...will and kate are having a great canadian time.....the gay pride parade packed toronto yesterday.....the 4 day walks festival packed castlebar......but ....the magic of yesteryears ......is a conjourers dream.....its in the hat....

....the fca were a wonderful experience.....and magic never ends....

....tog go bog e.....