CHARLEY McKIBBEN FOUND £50 AND LOST IT.
Some years ago a Pound Loney man by the name of Charlie McKibben was walking down College Street with his hands dug deep in his pockets, this was the 1950’s and like most men Charlie had been out of work for a long time,and had gone for a “wee Dander” to pass the day.He kicked the folded big white enevelope that lay on the pavement in front of him and was curious as to the weight of it, glancing round to see that no one was watching he bent and picked it up,he opened it and couldn’t believe his luck. .inside was 5 crisp $10 notes. he slipped it into his pocket and turned to make his way back to the Pound Loney. What a God send,he thought,I’ll have a few “Yard and a Halves” in McCorry’s and a bet at “Blink” McCloskeys”, his fist tightened round the roll of money in his pocket as he thanked God for his windfall. He walked up Albert Street by Quadrant Street and Brook Street and as he got to McAleese Pawnshop a group of women whom he recognised as neighbours were comforting this woman who lived only a few doors from him,”Oh Mary”, he heard one woman say to her,”That terrible. .where did you lose it”?..Charley froze on the spot...”What did you lose,Mary?” he asked,Mary was crying so uncontrolably one of the other women answered for her, ”Ah,Charley,poor Mary poor Mary was going into the town to pay for her Daughter's wedding dress with money she had just borrowed from the moneylender and she lost it”. Charley’s eyebrows knitted...”Was it five crisp £10 Notes?’,Mary quietly said,”It was son. .it was!”, Charley licked his lips and gulped,he crossed his fingers while they were still in his pockets and asked, “Was it in a Big White envelope?”, Mary lifted her tear stained face and whimpered,”It was Son, I dropped it some where in Castle Street or maybe even College Street..why do you ask,Son?”. Taking the envelope from his pocket he handed it to Mary,saying,”Because I found a big white envelope with five crisp £10 notes in College Street. .and it’s got to be yours”,with that Charley turned on his heels to finish of his “Wee Dander” to kill time.. .for you see,Pound Loney people were like that.
Great wee story Joe ,I love hearing stories about the POUND LONEY ,as I lived there ,and not far from MC CURRYS pub corner of Baker st and Blinks bookies corner of Cullingtree rd and Albert st .
yes I agreeg the pawn shop on monday was the norm, i also worked at greaves mill in my first year after leaving school ( milford st)1958. but it seem that we who left old belfast seem to relise what we had in the GOOD OLD DAYS, they were great days for me,
john you must have lived in ballymurphy road on whiteclif cres, that was all was there in 1956, my uncle tommy kearney moved in to no 12 whiteclif cres around that time.
Roberta, I remember when Rosie's son called in to our house in 39 Varna to say that Rosie had passed away. I was only 11 or so but I mourned her very much. I loved going into her house and listen to my mother and her talk. And I can remember when she died, her coffin in the living room. It was hard to comprehend. Oh Roberta, I can remember now. You were only a child yourself weren't you. I have a lovely photo of her and my mother outside their houses which I will endeavour to send to Rushlight. Regards, Ann Delaney
yes me Uncle Johnny'S Son and Ella moved in2 me Grans they were a lovely couple Johns DAD AND ME GRAN Where Brother n Sister they lived ajacant 2 us in Abyssinia x
hi margaret i grew in the lower falls.our family up stairs and anotner down stairs 8 of us in 1 bed and the water tap behind the hall door.my granny worked in greeves mill iremember going to get pay 7/6 every week god knows how hours she had work that.my mother got a new house in ballymurphy i think it was in 1956 it was great 3 bedrooms and abathroom we didnt know we were liveing. we loved ballymurphy and had great times there.my mates and i would get up every morning at 6 and go to barney hughes bakery with our pillow case and for 6d u got it filled with buns and small bread.some times hafe the buns were eat before we got to ballymurphy.we also went to work at the spud fields them days u would for few bob and it was only a few we got 8bob a day.aaaaoooooooo my back still hurts.margaret they where the innocent years.good night and bless.
Hi john i remember your wee st very well in lived in peel st good times and hard times for all familys back when we were ween's. like margaret says kids to day do have to much... great posts on here by you all all the best x
ANNE WHEN KAY DIED HAD A DOUBLE WHAMMY THATS ALL I CAN SAY ITS GOOD 2 SEE YOU OK LONG TIME LOL 4 GIVE ME GOING IN2 TXT MODE.. ME IN ME 2ND CHILDHOOD HA X ME WELL AND HAPPY SO R THE KIDS N GRANDKIDS ONCE THEY GET RID OF ME THAT IS LOL MUCH LOVE FROM ME XXX
Roberta, how are you now. I remember you as a child {we both were then}. I never heard about Kay or any of the Fitzpatrick's futures. But I will always remember Rosie, a good friend of my, very young at the time, mother. Rosie died before we went to Australia but she knew my parents were planning to go. I'm glad we didn't have to go through the sad farewells. I hope you and your family are well and happy. I remember a saying my aunt Mary used to quote, 'ach, don't worry; you're a long time lookin at the lid'!
Hi Roberta, I don't know if you remember me. I'm Terry Fitzpatricks daughter Briege (your cousin).
I've been trying to find you for a while ,Maybe you would like to have a chat sometime.
If you want to get in touch I'll send you my email address.
Briege
Hello Joe hope all well with you and anne
ive been ask if you have a photo of sarah colon nee Maguire R.I.P. her daughter ann is looking for it it was taken back 1950'' York st it is of sarah and a girl called rosie