Posted by JDP on January 18, 2001 at 19:44:21:
In Reply to: Re: La cois farraige/A day at the sea./Au bord de la mer. posted by True Castlebar on January 17, 2001 at 14:05:19:
True Castlebar, you must have more pseudonyms than Seán, D, Christian Democrat, Dublin Bay , Rockall Loftus. ( another Mayoman). Ye`re all very quiet today so here is a litany of some seaside recollections.
Early 60s day excursions to Bundoran,Enniscrone or Salthill on those pea green CIE buses. "I can see the sea" Wind and drizzle, old ladies in transparent plastic coats. Tin sandcastle buckets, sticks of pink rock -a present from Galway.
Family holidays to Enniscrone. Meeting the Hobans from Newtown, Maura and Breen and the McGowans from Davitt`s Tce., Mary Rose and Ann. My brother and Breen Hoban calling for help after locking themselves in the ladies under the pongo hall, having entered this forbidden place to see what it was like! The paradise of the sand dunes and the Valley of Diamonds.
The cockle strand at Bertrá ( heat in warm milk and pepper, swallow whole with remaining sand). Old head, my favourite sheltered spot. Carrowniskey strand and that magnificent beach at the end of the road beyond Louisburgh.
Late 60s early 70s, Achill and raging hormones, sand sea and raging hormones, pints of stout, six packs of Smithwicks and Phoenix, greasy chips, flapping tents on the sandybanks. Being chased by Dublin Jackeens near the Achill Head after my pal had insulted them, heart pounding, a six pack under each arm, bottles popping out of the cartons and exploding on the ground as I went like the clappers. "Jesus theres only four left" Well whose fault is that. Back at the site the big tent was full - a collapsed scrum of lifeless bodies ,plastered, snoring and farting. Those who were unfortunate enough to remove their shoes would awaken sometime that afternoon to find them filled with broken cream crackers mixed with the best Barcastle sausagemeat, moistened with the dregs of stout and beer. Jesus we better be out of here before these guys waken tomorrow.
The door lacing was tied in knots just in case. What if one of them wants to get out for a leak.
They were all from Caslebar. Was`nt the craic only mighty.
Thumbing home from Achill- cold, wet, hungry and penniless.