For most of my early childhood my family of 6 lived in a one-bedroom flat on the 9th floor of a tower block in Inchicore. When I was 9 we moved to a new 3 bedroom house in Ballyfermot.
Our new home was one of 5 new builds at the end of Rossmore Road. There was also a whole street of new houses around the corner in Rossmore Drive. Our house seemed huge after our one bedroom flat and we ran from room to room trying to work out what would go where. Everyone was excited for a new beginning.
I joined the local Majorettes, who didn’t do baton twirling or have pompoms to wave. We simply learnt to march up and down a hall in preparation for the St Patrick’s Day parade. We had a uniform of white pleated skirt, green polo neck and an orange headband.
We were all told to bring our uniform to a training session so we could get a photograph for our parents. I didn’t have the regulation polo neck, but we managed to make it work (I’m second from the left in this picture). One of the other girls didn’t have a hairband. and to ensure we all got a photo in full costume, the girl on the left was allowed to borrow a hairband from another girl. Clearly neither she, nor our trainer had any idea how to put a hairband on and the finished result is unlikely to take pride of place on anyone’s mantlepiece.
On the day of the parade, we were given huge flags to carry. The usual crowds turned out to see the parade and everyone waved and cheered. It was exhilarating being part of it all, despite the flags being so heavy and unwieldy.
The thing I value most about my time in Ballyfermot is the friendships I made. I lived there for 3 years, but many friendships have endured despite a 45 year gap. It is wonderful to have people in your life who have a shared history and who validate your memories of times and places gone by.
On behalf of the Museum of Childhood Ireland, we would like to say a huge thank you to Joanna Hill for sending in her memories of childhood St. Patrick’s Days, and her time in the Marjorettes. Have you got a story to share with us? Reach out to us on our socials, or at cbrowne@museumofchildhood.ie – we’d love to hear from you!