The people and friends I remember in Virginia
Even at the good age I am now, I can still recall vivid memories of the first few years of my life living in the Town of Virginia, Co Cavan, as I have mentioned previously we lived in a modest house on Rahardrum Lane, just outside the town. In close proximity to us on the Lane was a number of other houses which meant we were not isolated we were part of a small close knit community consisting of about a dozen other families. The people and friends I remember are: starting with our next door neighbor Mrs Sweeny. I remember her with affection in particular because of her kind and cheerful nature. She got on very well with Mam. Besides the many times she invited Mam in for a chat and a cup of tea there were many other times when she would, without being asked, place a pot of tea on top of the dividing wall at the back of the house.
At the top of end of the Lane there were two other Neighbors that were friendly towards us and with who we enjoyed good relations, they were Mr and Mrs Sheridan and their children. Next them, was Molly and David Preston and their sons T.P., Aiden, and Bobby. They also had two daughters Meani and Elsie who we played games with on the Lane.
Across the way from us was the Dunne’s. Paddy, who was one their children informed me at the recent Old School reunion that he had been playmate of mine all those years ago. Further down the Lane lived the Quinn’s. We played and went to school with their son Andrew who tragically died at the very young age of fifteen as the result of a swimming accident in the Lake.
At the top of end of the Lane there were two other Neighbors that were friendly towards us and with who we enjoyed good relations, they were Mr and Mrs Sheridan and their children. Next them, was Molly and David Preston and their sons T.P., Aiden, and Bobby. They also had two daughters Meani and Elsie who we played games with on the Lane.
Across the way from us was the Dunne’s. Paddy, who was one their children informed me at the recent Old School reunion that he had been playmate of mine all those years ago. Further down the Lane lived the Quinn’s. We played and went to school with their son Andrew who tragically died at the very young age of fifteen as the result of a swimming accident in the Lake.
Living a short walk away from us on the Dublin Road was my dear Aunt Maggie who I also remember with affection and her Husband Tommy Howe. They had two sons Tom and Terence and a daughter called Breda. They were very good friends of ours and one of the earliest memories I have of living in Virginia as a child is of Terence kindly taking me across the fields opposite his house down to Lough Ramor to fish for perch with home made fishing rods. I can clearly remember that day as though it happened only yesterday. As we approached the waters edge you would get that peculiar fresh water smell and I could hear the lake water lapping with low sounds against the black granite stones in the Lough. It was a beautiful early evening with the sun slowly sinking in the distance it cast a kaleidoscope of vivid colours across the sky, and I remember taking in deep breaths and gazing out over the Lough, fixing my eyes on the hills of Munter Connaught. I remember feeling a great sense of awe at the shear beauty of it and the surrounding countryside and to top it all we did catch a number of good sized perch, which we brought back to the house, where we got a great amount of praise and thanks for providing Aunt Maggie and Tommy with some fresh, free food, from the Lough.
Another good friend of our family was May Clarke. We were instructed many times by Mam to go and visit her. May, lived on her own in an old stone cottage in the plantation. I remember the entrance to the plantation and the path which led up to her house was opposite the garage on the corner of the Dublin Road and the Bailieborrow Road. May, had an exuberant personality and we would always get a warm enthusiastic welcome with tea and home made scones provided. Despite looking many times I have never been able to find any trace of the cottage.