Posted by JDP on November 21, 2000 at 09:18:02:
In Reply to: Re: The Hogees posted by Miss Americanpie on November 19, 2000 at 23:51:59:
The Hogan Jumps bring back many memories. The origin of the name remains a mystery to me. Maybe some of the fifty somethings could throw some light on it.
It proved to be an enlightened decision for the council to channel this stream ( which connects Rathbawn Lake with the Town River)in concrete, as it proved a real play haven for so many kids from the town.
Your prowess at the Hogees depended on how many stones you could skip. You started your diagonal run down the sloping concrete on the low side, one step on the stone in the centre and then into your big effort as you commenced your sweeping arc on the opposite slope, skipping as many stones as possible before crossing back via the farthest stone ( or ending up on your backside in the shallow water)
Great Hogie Jumpers were Christy Tynan and Jack Heraghty.
For smaller kids unable to do the Hogies yet, the stream was still a haven. Constantly in trouble for wearing out the backsides of short pants from arsing my way down the concrete slope. I can picture my mother standing at the railings glaring down " did`nt I tell you to stay out of that *river*. Those pants were only bought last week. Wait till your father gets home" as I froze mortified and my *pals* sniggering at my misfortune. On one occasion we gave a job to Carmel Hegarty as a lookout for approaching mothers, but who could you trust. " If you`re looking for Davy he`s under the bridge"
When the stream was in flood we hurriedly fashioned small boats from bits of scrap wood and raced them from the Pound Rd. bridge to the Town River. In summer we drank the water, caught sprats, fresh water crabs and thankfully never managed to catch Weils Disease ( all the rats lived downstream on the Newport Rd.)
They were uncomplicated halcyon days of fun and enjoyment - hopscotch, donkey, burn the biscuit, queeneio, four cornered fool, blind man`s bluff, crocks, going out to The rocks, robbing orchards, conkers,mitching, flying kites on Baynes`s Hill, gangs, catapults, bows and arrows, cowboys and indans, flaming bullrushes and the Hat Factory hooter telling you it was dinnertime or teatime.