a cara....the mountains and countryside of mayo are gripped in chill...and pinnacles...decked in white.....the reek....the partry mountain range are mantled are mantled ....and the white mountains of the windy gap and nephin stand out in peaks of white...like giant ...meingue pies......the trees are griped in ice and icile...as if nature in covering them in festive decor.....it seems to magnify the need to sit by hearth and fire and embrace family and kin...in shorusses of noel.....on this side of the pond...toronto is basking in abnormal highs and wet....and thus the deason has been thrown of kilt....and for many canadians...the only white christmas theyll experience....is bing crosby....dreaming of a white christmas...yes the christmas season has once again arrived....its almost incredible...but the calendar marks our minds....it appers in this fast moving ....ever indulgent life...the world of consumerism....and commercialism....seasons parde in an endless chain ....nothing changes but the seasonal trim.....when we say ...thank god christmas is over....the bank reminds us although your stomach is full....your debts need attention....only to see valentines is already ...triggering more spend....christmas invokes for many joy...and the need to embrace warmth and goodwill....and we become intoxicated by that call.....here in toronto...as no doubt ccrfm....radios and tv pump out non stop christmassy music....tv presenters promote the need to give generously to food ...and mountain of toy drives...and thankfully most answer the call.....because christmas is more about giving than receiving....stores are cluttered ...and aisles are barely walkable....almost sickingly artificial....every coceivable space is stacked with christmas trees and trim.....the other evening i was driving home from my loblaws superstore and was taken by gene autry singing ...about rudolph...and his red nose.....i hels the thought ...until i got home...and then as i relaxed i began to think back of when i first heard that jingle....it was 1949....playing with my friends pat ludden...and paddy moylette on mchale road....we were about to climb into the back of my fathers truck to go to a bog in derrywash for a load of turf.....we tried to memorize the lyric ....and we even argued about certain lines....radio eireann in those days was on in limited airtime....but unlike the bbc....programmes were sponsored ...by the like of galtee ....golden vale....three counties ...and whitethorn cheese....birds...the makers of birds jelly de luxe...and birds custard.....imco ...dyers and cleaners...a dying for you.....and bart bastables...irish hospital sweepstakes....so we were influenced somewhat with pop music....we didnt have much those days ...but the light from the range...gave warmth.....and was all embracing......mchale road was consumed in an intoxicating aroma of homemade cakes and puddings....may i say made from scratch in turf fired ranges.....the puddings hung in their crock bowls...from ceilings...wafting deliciously tempting smells....every house on the road ...no matter what circumstance was decorated in ...concetinaed streamers ...garlands of clour ...and tufts of crepe added to the decoration....walls were ....brought alive in clumps of holly....alive...vivid green holly...with bursting red berries....around 1949 christmas trees became popular...and were a must for every home....and we lads on the road made this ...need an annual chore.....i would go with my friend poll o donnell from blackfort to rehins...to gather our holly and tree....cycling out the newport road past tully farm...we would often wonder if we would be stopped at the gate house....but never...so we continued up near the monument....and gathered our spoils...the holly....and then cut down a tree.....tied to the bikes handle bars we would set off for home cycling back into town...howards tailor shop...seemed to be the towns port on that route...and it always twinkled in christmas light.....devers on ellison street was magnificent as its widow was always tinseled and adorned....and stocks of mouth watering dried fruit....sultannas..currants...raisins...and peel....and all brought to life with displays of red and green maraschino cherries....how my mouth yearned to taste this display of yummies....even frank becketts next door...echoed in christmas light.....christy hobans was another grocer that really ....set up his window....the various pubs mirrored cheer ...as they seemed to invite all and sundry in for cheer...the various toy shops had spaecial appeal...and phil hobans certainly...had a vast supply....hanleys in rock square too ....had its toy display...christmas stockings...and spinning tops seemed to always be in favour....but main street had the main attraction....wynnes....messrs...r.j. ....and gussie across the street....these two stores seemed to invite us young in...to experience and touch the toys....they were friendly environments....and r.j seemed to always have a train display...of hornby electric.....always running....they were magical....watching the train shunt off ...like the real deal.....to those far away place.....these shops also always had a great collection of...beano....dandy....and our boys annuals....it was here too i saw my first meccano set....cap guns were always available...even those with fancy butts...and holsters....the town resonated in spirit....the bacon factory was a hub of activity...as joe mitchell had the fowl dept ...fairly plucking....he had not yet opened up his own fowl operation in spencer street....the girls in the plucking dept...were always cheerful....as they seemed to be covered in walls of down....jim barretts ....dance emporium...the famous bullring...or plaza....was getting geared up for the new years all night dance....the spiralling smoke from chimneys on mchale road ....seemed to colour the often sullen skies....the waites had began their nightly ritual of bidding.....tom dunne had nailed the last piece of cork to the crib....and the herald....gloria in excelsis deo bannered peace from its top.....the manger scene ...looked real...and inspiring......and the choir was already chanting...adeste fidelis...and silent night...back on mchale road ....everyhouse welcomed ...fear an phuist....as he delivered christmas cards ....letters...and that much needed commodity...money from abroad....people jumped with glee at the arrival of a parcel....neighbours were friends...and this spirit echoed from one end of the road to the other....doors were always open and welcoming...and it seemed christmas spirit...oozed from the kitchens to the street.....as kids we got excited in anticipation of the big day....we never knew what we might get ....but the sock on the line above the range...always had an orange...a spinning topy ...and some sweets....ah yes....as scrooge..experienced ...his own heart laughed ....and that was quite enough for him.....

that was how we were ..i times of yore....we laughed...and could wait for all the extra matinees at the county cinema....and waited for botta roche and batty...george mcdermot to keep us in line....many seasons...many moons have passed from those days of ...once upon a good time....but despite ...all....warmth ...and goodwill are always foremost in my heart....joy to the world....and a happy christmas to all from toronto ....to castlebar....

.....make it a safe christmas...dont drink and drive.....

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