Oct 01 2010
I recenly met up with Liam O’Kelly who is home on holiday from Australia. Liam’s family originally lived on Bannow Road and then moved to Lower Killala Road. We spent two wonderful days together travelling down memory lane with all its twists, turns and colourful characters. Liam looks the picture of good health and is looking forward to his up and coming 70th birthday. On day one we drove all around Cabra West visiting all of his old haunts and neighbours. We even managed to call into Prenderville’s shop where Liam was employed as a young lad working behind the vegetable counter. We met Mark Prenderville, a son of Tony Prenderville and grandson of the original Mr Prenderville. What great memories flooded the shop floor as Liam recalled his time working there. Liam had a story for each and every road which we drove along and if he didn’t have one he’d make one up. We drove pass Dickie Rock’s old house on Dingle Road with Liam singing ‘Every step of the Way’, we flashed past the old Cabra Grand Picture House, the Dispensery on Quarry Road, up past the old Playground and gave a salute to Matt Whelans pub on the hill, up by Batchelors factory and over Broombridge. Liam said that he could see kids playing with hoops, skipping ropes, marbles, piggy beds and kick the can. We eventually ended up having a cuppa in Clarke’s cake shop on the Cabra Road. We strolled around the Annamoe area before heading home for the day. On day two I took Liam for a drive through the Dublin Mountains and into Johnnie Foxes for lunch. While we were having a drink a man came up to us and told us that he he had served his time as a butcher and had to herd cattle from the market in Prussia Street toa slaughter house in Clanbrasil Street. Now isn’t that typical Dublin for you…a complete stranger comes up and tells you their whole life story and walks away. After our drive through the mountains we headed to Glasnevin Cemetery to visit some of Liam’s family graves and especially that of his father. We then ended up by O’Rielly’s Bridge at the Royal Canal where we took lots of photos for Liam. Well now he’s back in Birmingham, England and will soon head off to his wife and family in Australia. Liam…thanks for the memories…MC…PS I’ll put up a selection of Liam’s photos on my Windows site for those who may like to view them