Posted by JDP on October 18, 2000 at 18:39:24:
In Reply to: sounds of yesteryear posted by Butch on October 17, 2000 at 20:49:55:
Mention of Birdy brings back memories. I have wondered on occasions how he came up with such a method of snapping his fingers. We had him in first class in the barracks and he used the snapping system described by Butch to collect copies military style. He would stand at the top of the class of about 50 ( note pupil teacher ratio),left arm outstretched he would bring the fingers of the right arm over the left fist. One snap to stop writing and close the copy,two snaps the copy of the boy on the right was placed on top of the other boys copy,three snaps all the copies in the row were passed to the front desk, four snaps and all the copies were brought by a boy from each front desk to make a big pile on Birdy`s desk.
This was, no doubt, great training for boys who would later join the 5th motor squadron.
The barracks had it`s unique smells- turf mould, turf fires, cailc agus glantoirs.
Mrs. Hanley taught babyroom in the room on the right inside the front door ( she still lives at Rathbawn ). Bro. Augustus taught 6th. in the room opposite ( they were big fellows) Gussie issued copies, nibs, blotting paper etc. from the co(fada)fra in this room. On one of my timid trips to this room Gussie lifted me over his head - I can see Benny McHale, John Flannery, Sean Cunningham, John McGowan.....