Category: Uncategorized

When We Were Kings and Queens of the Road: Catherine Agada Joseph

As a young girl in secondary school, I used to walk for 30 minutes every morning at 7am to school, and another 30 minute walk back home at 4pm. It never felt like a 30 minute walk because many other children in my neighbourhood also attended the same school. We would all wait for each… Continue reading When We Were Kings and Queens of the Road: Catherine Agada Joseph

When We Were Kings and Queens of the Road: Tom Doorley

My earliest memory of my journey to school involved catching the bus – usually an 11 or a 16 – on Drumcondra Road to get to the Dominican Convent in Eccles Street, now long demolished and replaced with much of the Mater Hospital. In those days there was a stable yard close to the back… Continue reading When We Were Kings and Queens of the Road: Tom Doorley

When We Were Kings and Queens of the Road: Karl Doyle

I got a lift to and from school everyday with my mam.On the way to school we would chat and listen to 98fm (I loved Dermot & Dave). On the way home my friend Tadhg would come with us because his house was on the way. Tadhg and I used to ramble on about whatever… Continue reading When We Were Kings and Queens of the Road: Karl Doyle

When We Were Kings and Queens of the Road: Mairéad Ní Nuadháin

Going to School in Ballaghaderreen the ‘Back Way.’ I don’t remember my first day at school but photographic evidence exists. Pat O’Connor, the local pharmacist, who was also a photographer took a picture of myself and Edward Hiney. I don’t know who owned the schoolbag but we seem to have had just one, that we… Continue reading When We Were Kings and Queens of the Road: Mairéad Ní Nuadháin

When We Were Kings and Queens of the Road: Adriaan Palm

Cycling, I can do it as long as I can remember. First a small bike, with two support wheels to help me balance. I can’t remember how long it took me to learn how to cycle, but in real terms it can’t have been very long. Maybe a few weeks. Then came primary school, Bloemcampschool… Continue reading When We Were Kings and Queens of the Road: Adriaan Palm

When We Were Kings and Queens of the Road: Cónal Creedon

Downtown Cork city is like being centre stage in a West End musical. It’s an animated warren of shops and arcades, inhabited by every class of shopkeeper, hawker and market trader you could imagine. It’s a city of characters and chancers, and a wander through the streets is an education in itself. It’s true to… Continue reading When We Were Kings and Queens of the Road: Cónal Creedon

When We Were Kings and Queens of the Road: Nora Corcoran

Nora Corcoran. Image copyright of Joe O’Shaughnessy, Conacht Tribune.

My earliest memories as a child going to junior school was that we lived in the town, and my father used to drop us down in the morning. We had a Ford Escort van.   I come from a Mincéir / Irish Traveller Family, and my father was a Tinsmith who made and mended pots and… Continue reading When We Were Kings and Queens of the Road: Nora Corcoran

When We Were Kings and Queens of the Road: Sheena Wilkinson

1974. I’m six and I walk to school alone, like all the other kids in the estate. P1s are allowed to be walked there by their mummies, but they’re only babies. P2s and over would die of shame. There’s a boy in P4 and he lets his mummy walk with him and hold his hand.… Continue reading When We Were Kings and Queens of the Road: Sheena Wilkinson