Memories Of Christmas Past
A Memory of Portavogie.
I left Ireland with my Family in 1953 and left part of my heart there. My Grandparents lived in Portavogie right by the seaside, they had a farm and a General store. Granny always had a pot of soup on her stove in the winter, and many people would have a bowl of soup to warm them. She always said, "always put an extra potato in the pot for the man from over the hill" I always wondered who the man from over the hill was. Just anyone who came along!
My home was in Belfast, but I always went on the bus for weekends, and my 6 week summer holiday. Portavogie was home to me. One day just before Christmas when I was about 10 years old. I asked my Grandfather if I could decorate the shop window, he quickly told me "yes" and I started with cotton wool and glue, I had seen a window in Belfast and wanted to really do this up. I broke off little pieces of cotton wool and glued them across the window, writing MERRY CHRISTMAS. When Grandfather and I went outside to look, I was so upset as it was backwards and read SAMTSIRHC YRREM. My Grandfather just looked and said "we will leave it, God knows what was in your heart and He understands it". Merry Christmas. What special Grandparents I had.
My mum was Jeannie Mc Clements and her dad was drowned at sea. Granny remarried, George Gowan, and the shop was on Springfield Rd. down a laneway right by the sea. I would walk to the harbour and meet the boats coming in and always come back with a string of fish.
I don't think children today have the imagination we had in making fun with very little. Playing on the Beach, catching smicks and crabs, gathering winkles and limpits. There was always something to do and we were never bored - if we were, Granny would find something for us to do.
Beautiful memories of Ireland, I love going back!.
Rita (Watt) Gillard
Add your comment
You must be signed-in to your Frith account to post a comment.
Add to Album
You must be signed in to save to an album
Sign inSparked a Memory for you?
If this has sparked a memory, why not share it here?
Comments & Feedback
Was production controller when I left in 1966 For Canada
Great memories
Eric basnett Eric Oliver cyril wellings
Stephen fox
Les sculthrope
Bert wise
And lots of true scouser characters
A wonderful long gone time
Others. Don Hobson
Brian Hennessy
Bill Squires
Chris ackerley
Etc etc
Love to here from anyone who remembers me
Thank you for your comment. I now live in Beamsville, On. Plan on another trip to Belfast and Portavogie next May. All being well!
Rita Watt Gillard