Life during war years in Northern Ireland

During the late 1930 and 40's life in 'the North' was hard with food, fuel and practically everything scarce. The goverment implemented a strict rationing system which
allowed most people to have adequate provisions . A very healthy barter system evolved
with people swopping unwanted items of food or clothing for something else.

As a young child and being totally unaware of the seriousness of the situation my friends
and I had a marvellous time following army parades and getting much appreciated sweets
from the American troops who were billited in our town. We had a great life with our very
innocent fun of playing rounders, hide and seek and the usual children's games.

I remember many children coming to stay in our town as Belfast had been bombed and
many people were left homeless the local residents of the town would take these people
in to their homes sometimes for a long time. A great feeling of comraderie existed during
those years as everyone shared and the religious divide which has plagued that part of
Ireland for generations seemed to disappear as the people united to defeat the common
enemy which of course was Germany and Japan.

Unfortunately that togetherness did not last and as everyone knows the old divisions
reappeared, but that is another story.

My Sister Maisie(1950)

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My Sister Maise & myself (1940's)

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My Father Robert (1890s)

This is a photograph of my father he was about sixteen at the
time. He was born in Donacloney Co. Armagh in the 1890's
his father and mother died at a very early age leaving him an
orphan, he had two sisters Martha and Annie. They had an
uncle and aunt who had no children so they took the three
children and reared them. At fifteen he joined the army,
which he hated but stayed the term,(three years) and married
at twenty had a son called Bobby unfortunately his young wife
died at the birth. He subsequently almost ten years later
married my mother Elizabeth two girls were born from this
marriage Maisie and Meta

active retirement

Active retirement is one of the few organisations catering for the retired and arranges many
activities which is of interest to this group. Many previously housebound people find it
worth making the effort to come out and join in different activities, also it is a stimulus
to getting up dressing and arranging to meet someone for a chat a cup of tea and listen to
probably a speaker about health or ways to keep in touch with ones friends.

Many tours both at home and abroad have been organised and thoroughly enjoyed by all
and many more due for this year, these tours are usually much cheaper than would
normally be if booked through a travel agency and as a lot of elderly like to have company
on these things it is something really looked forward to by all.

active retirement