1

Table of Contents

Dr. Mary Surlis, N.U.I. Galway, Foreword .................................... 5

Loretta Needham, St. Vincent de Paul, Croi na Gaillimhe ............. 6

Maria Moore, About Galway Community College ........................ 7

Hedy Gibbons, About Creative Writing ......................................... 8

Anna Cleary, Alphabet Reflections ................................................. 9

Leny Mannens, Alpha Poem .......................................................... 10

Davis Bergholcs, Alpha Poem ....................................................... 11

Nora Barrett, Alpha Poem .............................................................. 13

Emmie Lloyd, Alpha Poem ............................................................ 14

Nora Lally, Alpha Poem................................................................. 16

Igor Kucharski, Alpha Poem .......................................................... 17

Racquel Myers, Alphabet Reflections ........................................... 18

Dmitrys Uselonoks, Favourite Things ........................................... 19

Emmie Lloyd, Georgia Possum ..................................................... 20

Bridge Quinn, The Blue Stone ....................................................... 21

Nora Lally, Mary Joyce‟s Hat ........................................................ 22

Nora Barrett, Love .......................................................................... 23

Emmie Lloyd, St. Brigid‟s Cross ................................................... 24

Dmitrys Uselonoks, Inside ............................................................. 25

Leny Mannens, Gabriela ................................................................ 26

Davis Bergholcs, Hippo on the Sand ............................................. 27

2

Josephine Kelly, Koks = Trees ..................................................... 28

Bridge Quinn, Bridge‟s Treasure ................................................... 29

Nora Lally, Winter ......................................................................... 30

Leny Mannens, The Princess of Spain ........................................... 31

Rebecca Donovan, I Am ................................................................ 32

Anna Cleary, Treasures .................................................................. 33

Igor Kucharski, Too Heavy ............................................................ 34

Maureen Kelly, Under Cover ......................................................... 35

Nora Lally, The Japanese Girl ....................................................... 36

Bridge Quinn, Haiku ...................................................................... 37

Patricia McLaughlin, The Gospel According to ............................ 38

Davis Bergholcs, Great Memories ................................................. 39

Racquel Myers, New Flowers ........................................................ 40

Bridge Quinn, A Fish Out of Water ............................................... 41

Dmitrys Uselonoks, Tom The Man ................................................ 42

Josephine Kelly, Things I Like ...................................................... 43

Nora Lally, Trees In Winter ........................................................... 44

Maureen Kelly, The Mannequin .................................................... 45

Davis Bergholcs, Two Haiku ......................................................... 46

Igor Kucharski, Favourite Things .................................................. 47

Patricia McLaughlin, Who Am I? .................................................. 48

Leny Mannen, Seasons ................................................................... 49

Davis Bergholcs, The Man - A Character ...................................... 50

Luke Egan, Looking Forward ........................................................ 51

3

Leny Mannen, In The Beginning ................................................... 52

Anna Cleary, A Lady‟s Hat ............................................................ 53

Igor Kucharski, Igor‟s Treasures.................................................... 54

Denis O‟Brien, Haiku ..................................................................... 55

Patricia McLaughlin, A Beautiful Man.......................................... 56

Nora Barrett, Treasure .................................................................... 57

Igor Kucharski, Laughing Man ...................................................... 58

Racquel Myers, A Diamond Ring .................................................. 59

Denis O‟Brien, A January Boy ...................................................... 60

Leny Mannens, Something Special ................................................ 61

Rebecca Donovan, Traveller .......................................................... 62

Anna Cleary, Summer Mornings ................................................... 63

Denis O‟Brien, Seanfhocail ........................................................... 64

Nora Lally, From Self-Reliance to Dependence ............................ 65

Dmitrys, Change ............................................................................. 67

Denis O‟Brien, The Last Word ...................................................... 68

Hedy Gibbons, Introduction to the Play ........................................ 69

The Miller‟s House , Cast of Characters ........................................ 72

Old Fire, New Fire / The Miller‟s House ....................................... 73

4

Acknowledgements:

Much thanks to all those who provided or facilitated the gathering of

information during the research project:

Staff of Special Collections, N.U.I. Galway;

Martin Keating, Galway City Librarian, for an interesting and

informative tour of the Library and its research facilities;

Paul Duffy, recently retired City Engineer, for sharing his fund of

knowledge relating to Galway city, and especially the Mills area;

Frank Heneghan, Bridge Mills for his information on the workings

water-powered mills; the participants in Living Scenes for the oral

histories and folklore they gathered; Loretta Needham, Manager of

Croí na Gaillimhe; and information provided on their website by the

Society for the Traditional & Ancient Mills of Ireland.

Special thanks also to Volunteer workers Elaina and Philip for their

dedicated and careful work in typing the initial drafts of this book.

5

Foreword: M. Surlis

A Programme of Intergenerational Learning in NUI Galway

Living Scenes is collaborative educational initiative, involving

schools, teenagers and older adults, working together within a

community learning environment. It encourages, supports and

accommodates active experiential learning among participants of the

programme. It has specific learning outcomes from the curricular

based objectives of the programme and is designed, implemented and

funded by NUI Galway as part of the University‟s Adult and

Continuing Education outreach initiatives.

As a programme of intergenerational learning Living Scenes seeks to

promote and cultivate the enriching relationship that has been

established in the course of the programme‟s ten year history. This

concept of learning is very new in Irish education. It has been

received enthusiastically by school management and staff, local

Active Retirement groups, community groups and individuals

as being something very worthwhile and of great educational

importance. The objectives are to discover common links between

“perceived” diverse generations, to foster and promote mutual

respect, and to empower both groups through consultation to actively

participate in the development of the curriculum, and thus develop a

sense of “ownership” of a non-hierarchical nature within the

programme.

The current year has seen a new venture for the Programme by

bringing it and the Transition Year students out of the school and into

a community, and setting (Living Scenes, Croí na Gaillimhe). It has

been a tremendous success. Core to that success has been the

involvement of an enthusiastic participant group, a wonderful centre

manager, Loretta Needham, an actively supportive and encouraging

school presence in Galway Community College, under the weekly

supervision of Maria Moore, and finally, an exciting and highly

developed Writing and Drama module facilitated by Hedy Gibbons,

which has brought the programme to a new level, a new model of

intergenerational learning. Well done to all!

Míle buíochas,

Mary Surlis.

6

Foreword: Loretta Needham The Croí na Gaillimhe Resource Centre opened in April 2009 and

was officially opened in January 2011 by President of Ireland Mary

McAleese.

The mission is to promote positive change in favour of those

who would benefit most in the community, promote inclusion and

equality in the community, and resource the local community. We

provide an intergenerational and intercultural place of welcome,

offering a range of holistic educational and social supports

complementing current provision in Galway City.

Tradition suggests (though research indicates otherwise) that

this house was built at the turn of the 19th century by a Mr. Ruxton,

who also gave his name to the nearby „little bridge‟ on Mill Street.

The building is unique in the Galway City context, because it is the

only known example with a watercourse constructed to run directly

underneath it.

A feasibility study commissioned in 2007 (which involved

consultations with wide range of local stakeholders) concluded that

there was a need for a city-centre based resource centre. Armed with

findings emerging from this feasibility study a proposal was

developed and submitted to the Maureen O‟Connell Trust for support

to re-develop the Mill Street building as a Resource Centre. The

application was successful and the building was redeveloped and

refurbished, with a full-time Centre Manager appointed in March

2009. A three year plan was subsequently devised. In January 2010, a

full time Receptionist and part-time Social Club Co-ordinator were

appointed. We worked in 2009-2011 with a range of service users to

provide a dinner and social club, high quality training programmes

and the “Living Scenes Intergenerational programme”.

I would like to acknowledge the contribution of St James

Conference and all our volunteers who have contributed to the centre.

Finally it was a privilege to work with Dr. Mary Surlis, NUI

Galway and the Living Scenes team (Maria Moore, Galway

Community College and Hedy Gibbons, Creative Writing

Facilitator).

Loretta Needham, Manager, Croí na Gaillimhe, Resource Centre

7

Introduction

Living Scenes in Galway Community College

The programme running with G.C.C. is different from those running

elsewhere in that, instead of the school classroom, participants meet

in Croí na Gaillimhe. This beautiful venue has inspired a lot of the

work we have made there - a programme providing a mix of Music,

Art, Drama and Creative Writing.

We have a very talented group of people from all over Ireland,

joined by participants from Latvia, Poland, and Holland. They speak

a variety of first languages, Irish, English, German, Dutch, Russian,

Latvian and Polish, as well as Cant (the language of Irish Travellers).

This makes for a great linguistic melting pot -and at times some

confusion.

Several of the Transition Year learners arrived in Ireland with

little or no English and we should pay tribute to them on the

remarkable progress they have made during the year. Thanks to all

those who encouraged, explained and at times translated for them.

Initially class-work was designed to help participants get to

know one another. Early work in art and crafts explored the theme of

Leadership. Participants made masks, banners and small clay models.

The beautiful masks explored the notion that we hide behind facades.

It was wonderful to witness the bonds of trust and friendship which

developed between the group members; to see the care, and hear the

laughter, (especially the laughter).

Banner and model making developed skills forgotten in some

and undiscovered in others. Halloween involved traditional games as

well as pumpkin decoration. Who would have realised how

competitive the men became over carving designs! We also had some

very talented young musicians visit us which brought out hitherto

unknown dancing skills in several of the gentlemen. What a busy

year!

We have been privileged to work with Hedy Gibbons, award

winning writer, in our Creative Writing module. To all those

involved in Living Scenes a huge thank you.

Maria Moore, Art Teacher

8

About Creative Writers:

In January, 2011, joining the Living Scenes programme as Creative

Writing facilitator, I wasn‟t sure what to expect. On that first day the

prospect of facilitating a creative writing experience with individuals

from a variety of countries, who have as many different native

languages, presented quite a challenge!

On that journey, I have observed a warmth and caring, a

genuine desire to communicate, an enthusiasm to learn and grow,

that has carried all of us. I watched people listen to each other, laugh

together, help each other, as they moved through words - exchanging

memories, treasures, dreams and life stories. From there they began

to create „scenes of life‟, putting some of those life-experiences on

paper, telling some of their stories, imagining others through the

poems, short prose, memoir, characters and scenes they created.

Finally, as we became increasingly aware of the historical

significance of this old Miller‟s House, we researched its history,

wrote a short play about it, and performed that play in public.

Thank you all for your willingness to take pen to paper: to „give

it a go‟; to „push the boat out‟ into your imaginations; to take

whatever writing tasks were presented to you „on board‟.

Very special thanks to Maria Moore, a wonderfully creative Art

teacher and colleague who offered calm, costumes, and creative

solutions in marrying art, craft and writing.

Many thanks also, to Loretta Needham, her staff, and

Volunteers, who supported and helped us always, on this unique

„voyage of discovery‟.

And finally, to Dr. Mary Surlis – for having the vision to see on

the horizon this glorious new territory of learning before we‟d even

set sail!

Hedy Gibbons

Creative Writing Facilitator

9

Anna‟s Alphabet Reflections:

At Living Scenes today we did creative writing.

But halfway through we did a story and told everyone.

Continued after the break.

Did the alphabet a-z, said a line about each letter.

Everyone really enjoyed themselves.

First we started with a postcard.

Great stories were given to share.

Hopefully next week will be as good.

I enjoyed Living Scenes today

Just after the break we said out the stories

Keep up the good work should be said to everyone.

Let your mind flow said the woman

Means a lot to everyone at Living scenes

Nobody was sad

Overall I enjoyed myself

People should do writing at home

Queen-I felt like one.

Raquel had a good story

So shared it with Living Scenes

Teacher was happy and helpful.

Underneath the story I wrote I add more

We enjoyed everything

X-rays we should learn about.

You have a good time.

Zoom into the future.

Anna

10

Alphabet Poem

A Arms are to bring things home.

B Bears are living in woods.

C Catherine is a lovely girl.

D Dennis likes writing.

E Eggs are nice fried.

F Fun and sadness go together.

G Great pleasure is good for the heart.

H Honey is made by the bees.

I I don't like milk.

J Jeremiah was a prophet.

K Kay is the daughter of my friend.

L Leny is my name.

M Mannens is my surname.

N Never say never.

O Old and young go well together.

P Polish people are good at speaking English.

Q Quarrel not too much!

R 'Round and round‟ goes the carousel.

S Sometimes life is not easy.

T Two people know more than a single one.

U U tube is a site that I know nothing about.

V Victory in Peru for the Spanish was very sad for the Incas.

W What are you doing now?

X Xanthan gum is a thickener.

Y You are wearing a beautiful blouse.

Z Zenith is another word for top.

Leny

11

Alphabet Poem 2

A Apples are healthy.

B Brothers are annoying.

C Car I do not own.

D Dogs I like.

E Exams are coming up.

F Friends are there for you.

G Gardens are nice and green.

H Holes are in my shoes.

I Internet everyone uses.

J Joking is fun.

K Krooked words

L Life is too short.

M Music can change your mood.

N Neon lights hurt my brain.

O Outdoors is exciting.

P Playing can be fun.

Q Questions and answers.

R Rivers never stop.

S Students go to school.

T Trees are fun to climb.

U Universities are after school.

V Views of the world.

W World keeps spinning.

X X-ray the broken bones.

Y You are pretty.

Z Zebras run in the wild.

Dāvis

12

Patricia

13

Alphabet Poem 3

A I eat an apple every day.

B I play football in school.

C I have a cat.

D I have a dog.

E I love elephants.

F I love my friends.

G I go to school.

H I live at home.

I I love being on Facebook.

J My brother's name is Joshua.

K All my friends are kind.

L I love life.

M My mom is amazing.

N My name is Nora.

O I never saw an octopus.

P I love walking in the park.

Q I love the queen.

R I really hate when people talk about yo???.

S I love school.

T I think you're a nice person.

U I love you.

V I have a van.

W I broke window in my house over a playing...

X I have excellent attendance at school.

Y My favourite colour is yellow.

Z I would love to have a zebra.

Nora B.

14

Alphabet Poem 4

A A is for apple I eat every day.

B B is for ball to play.

C C is for car. Everyone has one.

D D is for daffodil, a beautiful flower.

E E is for earth on which we live.

F F is for fire – very hot.

G G is for garden full of flowers.

H H is for house where we all live in.

I I is for ice-cream – very tasty.

J J is for jam – lovely on bread.

K K is for kite – fly high in the sky.

L L is for love to be shared around.

M M is for milk good for you.

N N is for night, we go to bed.

O O is for orange full of goodness.

P P is for park, children can play.

Q Q is for queen, very important.

R R is for rain we have plenty of in the West.

S S is for sun, lovely and warm.

T T is for train, gets you from place to place.

U U is for umbrella – handy in the rain.

V V is for victory when you have won.

W W for windows to look out of.

X X is for xylophone, an instrument to play.

Y Y is for yellow, a bright colour.

Z Z is for zebra, an animal in the zoo.

Emmie

15

Emmie

16

Alphabet Poem 5

A April airs are around now.

B Butterflies are unique in their life span.

C Cats are friends but not loyal.

D Dogs are man's best friend.

E Eagles are rare birds and beautiful.

F Funny stories are cheering.

G Green has forty shades.

H Honey is healing – and also delicious

I Ideas come from imagination.

J Jokes are good in dull company.

K Kittens are cute and cuddly.

L Laughter is the music of the soul.

M Mother is the source of memories

N Nora is my name meaning „dawn‟

O Others are always important to me

P Prayer is an important part of my life

R Rest is essential to create energy and give zest to life

S Sisters are good friends, always supportive

T Trees are a great love in my life

U Under the earth, spring flowers are growing

V Veneration is sometimes lacking in to-day‟s culture

Y Your life is lived forward but understood backwards

X X-rays are a great aid to diagnosis

Z Zips are a great replacement for buttons

Nora L.

17

Alphabet Poem 6

A Apple – I eat every day.

B Birds – can fly.

C Clowns – I like clowns.

D Doors – can be open.

E Exam – I can pass it.

F Film – I like watching it.

G Garden – I have a garden in Poland.

H Hammers – I like hammers.

I Igor – my name is Igor.

J Jesus – made a world.

K Key – I can open something that is closed.

L Life – is brutal.

M Mother – everyone loves her.

N Never – never say never.

O Open – I can open doors.

P People – I know a lot of people.

R Race – I won today's race.

S Sport – I love sport.

T Titanic – I saw the film Titanic.

U Unfortunately – I broke my leg unfortunately.

V Victory – I love victory.

W Wars - I don't like wars.

X Xzibit – character from MTV programme “Pimp my Ride”.

Y Yoti – mystic character.

Z Zombie – I play zombie games.

Igor

18

Racquel‟s Alphabet Reflections

At Living Scenes today we had fun

Because everyone contributed their thoughts and

Didn‟t refuse to do so

Everyone brought something special

Friends and family were involved in the story

Good stories and sad stories we shared

Hopefully we will do it again

I really enjoyed it

Just after the break we all shared a story

Kindness is what we all shared

Laughing, I did lots of it

Memories we shared

Nobody was left out

Opinions we gave

People were happy and emotional

Questions were asked

Racing Raquel is the nick name they gave me

Surprising

Together we told stories

Unconditional

Victorious

We were telling stories

X-ray

You will really enjoy it

Zee you!

Racquel

19

Dmitrys‟s “Favourite Things”:

My favourite food is pizza.

My favourite clothes are shoes. They can be lots of colour. The best

thing is when I feel nice in my shoes.

My favourite time of year is summer with green colour. Summer

smells of flowers.

Dmitrys

20

Sun-Dried Georgia Possum

Well I never heard of that before! It showed on the tin a small animal

so now I know what a possum is. The poor possum. It was flattened

by a truck, so it says on the tin, and then sun-dried for one day! Who

would think of doing such a thing, the poor possum. Somebody

decided to put it in a tin and make a joke of it, well I never. Some

people must have nothing to do. I don‟t think it‟s a joke.

I think of how the possum felt and must feel now, locked up in a tin

for all eternity.

Emmie

21

The Blue Stone

I like the look, colour and shape of this pyramid shaped stone in front

of me. I pick it up and it fits comfortably into the palm of my hand. It

feels smooth and easy to be with. Its colour is dark blue and

mysterious, my favourite colour.

I am beginning to form a bond with this old, old, old, stone. I

have not asked it many questions as yet, just letting it sit there, in the

palm of my hand and allowing it to speak to me. But in nature it is

silent, all the while it is creating an energetic reaction in me. I ponder

how and why all this is happening. I have no answers but I am happy

just to let it be, as it is early days yet.

Bridge

22

Mary Joyce‟s Hat

I am Mary Joyce – at the Galway Races 1928. Hats were in fashion,

for young women who had not yet dressed in a shawl. Women in

Galway, especially in the Claddagh, looked colourful. The more

colourful and maybe raffish were the most rakish. Generally women

walked to the races and it was a good few miles from the Claddagh.

In those olden days the summers were great, long summer days in

July and August. A woman had a two purposes for wearing a hat, one

to shade from the sun, the other more important to look great and

stand out in a crowd. As they say in a fashion store, “that hat could

get you anywhere”.

Nora L.

23

LOVE

Nora B.

Poem 1

Love is a symbol of trust

loyalty, respect, honesty.

And if you have no symbols

like these,

Then that means that you have

no love.

Respect is the most important

symbol.

You have to have respect

For yourself and also for your

partner

Poem 2

Hand in hand

Love is sent,

You'll be my

Best friend

Until the end.

So thick and thin,

Through good times and sad times,

Me plus you, now and

Forever. So don't look back

On bad times, because

You and I, now me and you,

For all the times.

24

My Treasure - Saint Brigid's Cross

Made of rushes, I made this cross many years ago while out walking

in the country.

It is a symbol of protection and safety and most Irish houses have

one of these hanging in their kitchen to keep the family safe.

It is said that St. Brigid made one of these crosses first.

Emmie

25

Haiku - Inside

Inside the big house

Is a very fun party

In a dark night.

Dmitrys

Dmitrys

26

Gabriela -

The girl has a happy face.

Sitting at the table in her aunt‟s house.

White teeth with a split in the middle,

long blond hair, grey blue eyes,

she has a little white spot on her nose.

Wearing a white t-shirt and a mauve top,

and an apron with blue-white stripes,

she has a knife in her hand and

a big pancake in front of her.

She has several things in her pocket –

a tissue, a mobile phone among others.

Also the one thing she has carefully wrapped.

She knows her granddad will come in a while and

this is a present for him that he will like.

She is probably looking forward to eating the pancake.

Leny

27

Hippo on the Sand

Wouldn't it be nice to be a hippo on the sand,

Sit all day, and feeling so grand.

Not having a worry at all in the world,

Eating grass and not feeling the cold.

Wouldn't it be great to be a hippo in the sand,

Sitting all day, and feeling so grand.

Not having to do chores today,

He's just so lucky, what can I say?

Wouldn‟t it be good to be a hippo on the sand,

Sit all day, and feeing so grand.

Not having one worry at all in the world,

And not doing what you've been told.

But he's just a hippo, and you are you,

So stop the dreaming and go back to school.

Davis

28

Haiku:

Koks tall and green

Birds chirp noisily

Bark is very brown.

Josephine

29

Bridge‟s Treasure

My Jerusalem Cross is a dear reminder of my first visit to Israel (the

Holy Land) 10 years ago. My daughters gave me £50 to spend on

myself and I was able to secure the gold cross for the £50. It brings

back the wonderful memories and failings of that special trip. I really

cherish it very much.

Bridge

30

Haiku - Winter

Winter woodland walk at dusk,

leaves fall silently as death.

Old age letting go time.

Nora L.

31

The Princess of Spain:

In this hat I am the princess of Spain, married to the prince who is

going to be King in the future. I am just an ordinary girl, don't really

like all the celebrations I am supposed to go to. The only thing I do

enjoy about it is choosing a nice hat that makes me feel comfortable

and not so exposed when people along the streets are looking at me.

Leny

32

I am -

I‟m a gypsy

And I‟ve got style

So mess with me

And you‟ll run a mile

And for all you u

Haters… who think

You‟re cool,

Just remember

Pavees rule

School is not the

Place for me…

Home is where

I want to b…

No job…no career

Just traveling here &

There… with

Family & friends

Who will stand by

Me til the very end

Although years may pass

Our pride will last.

Rebecca

33

Treasures:

My nephews, whose names are John and Packie. Last Christmas their

mother brought them into Mothercare to get their photos done. The

woman asked her could she enter them into a competition. So a few

days after something came out in the post. It was to say that they

were through and that they won.

So for a year my sister-in-law got all the stuff like bottles, free

photos, from Mothercare. And in August they to go to Dublin for

more photos.

Anna

34

Haiku – Too Heavy

Sitting at the table

I break the table because

I am too heavy for piseog

Igor

35

Under Cover

I am working as a store detective and, although I hate this hat, it is a

good disguise. I have to act like a very interested shopper, examining

items and even placing some in my basket which is a must to look

the part. The hat helps to make me resemble a trendy housewife so

the unsuspecting shoplifter can act now. I will have one capture at

last.

Maureen

36

A Girl:

I am looking at a teenage Japanese girl.

She is a beautiful girl in a Japanese way.

She has long dark hair and a dark large

head-dress or hat.

Her face is made up and eyes are

wide open under the most

perfect eyelashes.

She has a long gracious neck.

Her arms are long

but her hands are

not showing.

The girl is wearing a white top.

On the front are prints of trees,

green and brown and zig-zag design,

to represent the earth,

birds above the trees.

I think my Japanese girl is called Zoe.

She would not have a

screwdriver in her pocket.

Somehow it would be out of keeping with

her beauty and graciousness.

Nonetheless just maybe a small screw-driver

would come in handy at times.

She could open a lock on her bike should

she forget the key.

Or prise open a coke bottle

or can in an emergency.

Nora L.

37

Haiku – Star Gazing

Up on the night sky

I see Jupiter gleaming

As the sun has set.

Bridge

38

The Gospel According To

First, the beauty to the eye now and always,

The feel to a heart and hand

The power held within me always,

To go deep into the earth to find me,

My power is in all we can behold.

This for your joy and pleasure,

Health, goodness, power and grace,

May you always hold the earth dear,

My wish is your life path to bloom

So that full life will be yours.

Search for me, respect me always,

To find me is your inner gift,

Be it your life now, endless peace,

Feel my strength within yourself,

Deep within the richer part of you.

To all is gift, only you can take it,

Again the freedom is yours enjoy,

Never lose any of my power, its yours,

To feel one with the beauty of our Earth,

Our creator and creation.

This is my gift to your today –

And always.

Patricia

39

Davis‟s Treasure

I have a video on my mobile phone of my little cousin dancing, back

when she was just one year old. And that video brings me great

memories because it was during a summer where I broke my leg and

she would always come into the room and cheer me up because I

couldn‟t go anywhere.

Davis

40

Racquel‟s Haiku

When winter is over

New flowers will start to fás

Early in Spring.

Racquel

41

A Fish Out of Water

I live in London. My mother was born in Galway in the Claddagh to

be precise. I am invited to my cousin's wedding in the Claddagh with

my sister. I have not met my cousins or been to Galway before, so I

am worried as to what impression I am going to make – will I look

like a fish out of water, or are hats a feature or in fashion? I decide

black with a little lace would make a comfortable cover.

Bridge

42

Tom The Man

Tom sits on motorbike. It‟s very expensive bike and powerful. I

think he just drives around the city on weekend. I think he works in

some company. Maybe he doesn‟t have wife and children.

Dmitrys

43

I Like -

Chicken,

cream or white

triangle or round.

Not very nice raw,

very nice cooked,

eat it for dinner

with roast potatoes.

Summer:

bright

yellow

round.

Flowers

smell sticky.

Josephine

44

Trees in Winter

For years and years bare trees intrigued me,

beckoning me to see through and beyond,

transparency of sacred beauty.

Arms outstretched, uplifted, silently extended,

so many fingers whispering hosanna!

by gentle breeze or gushing wind.

Mystery of transformation,

not trees or wood or timber,

wonder deep and tender:

Unknowing yet believing,

bare trees icons of winter beauty.

Nora L.

45

The Mannequin.

He is elegant, majestic and beautiful. He takes a lot of grooming and

his white coat is always in peak condition. He is very temperamental

and can be quite vicious being deceptive as he looks so meek and

mild. Being so well-kept he is nearly always being entered in shows

and usually is awarded many prizes.

“Bailey” the poodle has a very posh opinionated owner named

Ronald who struts around with Bailey on leash waiting for everyone

to admire him and if possible himself as well. He is a bank manager

and lets it be known. He walks Bailey along the prom and the dog‟s

hair blowing in the breeze – with a definite air of affluence that belies

the fact that our country is in deep recession. He then hops into his

Saab and goes on his merry way to Barna.

Maureen

46

Haiku 1

Here in our classroom

Everyone is fáilte

On every Tuesday.

Haiku 2

At the local park

The wind blows hard on the trees

During the big storm.

Dāvis

47

Favourite Things

Salathe Greclia - mix colours, I eat it with lunch, I eat it when I'm

home. The best thing about this is that it is from Greece. I love food

from Greece and Turkey. The smell sometimes is like white cheese.

Summer/winter (Christmas)

My favourite time of the year – Christmas – because I love spending

time with all my family. I think colours about Christmas are red and

white. And I like snow.

Igor

48

Whose Hat?

Who am I in this hat?

My Kangol design set me up for

the Kerry races.

Not interested in hats or races, but

sure the act of being someone else

is fun.

Under this hat I can fool others

and myself even for a day.

My thoughts on the type of person

who would wear such a design of

hat, is a lady who spends big on

hats for every dress and occasion.

Money is free-flowing, so no

worries to her no matter how often

she goes shopping for another hat.

Good luck to her and I am glad it's

not me!

Patricia

49

Seasons

Under the birch tree

White little snowdrops come out

In the early Spring

Rain in the distance.

In the breaking of the light

a bow of colours.

Leny

50

The Man – A Character

The man in the picture looks like he‟s in his late 50‟s, his face

expression looks like he is surprised. He has got a bald spot on his

head and it looks like he recently had an ear infection. His head is

turned in the left direction. From the quality of the picture it looks

like it‟s an old picture. He‟s wearing old fashioned clothes.

John has lived on the farm for all his life now. He is 59 now

and his brother‟s teenage son from the city centre has come to visit

him. John recently had an accident with a tractor and damaged his

ear. He had to go to the city and get an operation. Now with his bad

ear he can‟t do the farm jobs he is supposed to do. Now he is trying

to get his brother‟s son Mike to work but Mike is ignoring him.

Davis

51

Haiku

In the upper field

The horses will foal again

As the spring comes around

Luke

52

In The Beginning…

In the beginning

God created the Earth

Nature was perfect

Man created in God's image

But Man liked to be God himself.

As a result, much got destroyed,

Forest, flowers, eagles,

Even man got attacked

They feel helpless like

An eagle that can't spread his wings.

Leny

53

A Lady‟s Hat

I have a lady's hat on. It is like what you wear on Lady's Day.

I am like Jessica Fletcher.

She is in Murder She Wrote, but I think I am like a film star.

I really like this hat. It is lovely.

Lovely

Awesome

Be myself

Young

Surprise

Hat of the day

Addictive

Tall

54

Igor‟s Treasure:

I bring two pictures of me and my sister and mother in garden.

This garden is very old, I think 150 years or more. But we have to

renew this, and home as well. I very much like this garden.

Igor

55

Haiku

Over the rainbows

Colours come and go like snow

Nature is in bloom.

Denis

56

A Beautiful Man

Beautiful relaxed man

The smile shares joy and peace,

health and strength, alive

eyes, brown and olive.

Making full use of nice

leather armchair he is

casually dressed for comfort,

as is his nice brown hair.

He likes small watches and cars.

Then I got a shock to find he

also enjoys knitting in bed.

Patricia

57

Nora B‟s Treasure:

Today I bring a bracelet my mom gave to me for my 16th

birthday.

She got it off her mom when she was way younger and she passed it

on to me. It is about 20 years old. So when I get older and have kids

I‟ll give it to one of my daughters.

Nora B

58

Laughing Man

When I go to cinema with friends we meet beside front doors.

Laughing man he call us to come there, and he shows us a lot of

magic tricks, we are in shock because he brings muffins and

sandwiches to do magic tricks that was amazing where he can eat this

and he take out again that food from the product and give this to

people who need this, I don't know how he do this...he give more,

more and more and we can't see end of this. This man is very lovely

he use his magic skills to help each other peoples who‟s hungry and

can't buy anything. I think he can do everything what he want but he

just want to help people to have better life. He is happy if he can't

help if everybody can't be like him, we can change the world to move

better.

Igor

59

A Diamond ring

My grandmother from my father‟s side got this diamond ring years

ago when she was young and had only one child. She promised

herself she would give to her first grand-daughter when she was old

enough, and she did give to me one year ago, and told me that story,

and for me never to part with it. So I will keep it forever.

Racquel

60

A „January‟ Boy

I remember the first time my older sister received her gift of a

jewellery box. What a delightful box: so delicate, so precise, so

colourful. My sister had one ring to place in her jewellery box which

she had collected from our Halloween barm brack the previous week.

This jewellery box had sparked a whole level of enthusiasm

with her for all and sundry of the accessory items that appeared in the

few glossy magazine she studied on her first visit to the dentist.

And this is a paper-weight which I received on January 16th

1963

when Potez Industries of Ireland Ltd was officially opened by An

Taoiseach Sean Lemass TD. Potez was a French company that

manufactured free- standing oil heaters and central heating systems

for the home and export markets.

Denis

61

Something Special

Crystals are special to me

and this one is very precious

because I got it from a friend

more than 20 years ago.

This crystal is shaped in a

very geometrical form, all

like triangles.

The nicest thing about it

is the breaking of the light

when the sun is shining

on it, the white light

is broken into all the different

colours of the rainbow,

which you can see when it is

projected on a white surface.

Leny

62

Traveller

My traveller pride

I will not hide,

My gypsy race

I will not disgrace,

My traveller blood

Flows hot and true,

My pavee folk

I will stand by you.

Through thick and thin

'Till the day we die,

Our traveller flag

Always stands high.

I yell this poem

Louder than all the rest,

'Cause everyone knows

Pavees are the best.

Traveller pride in my mind

Gypsy blood in my kind.

So step aside and let us through,

And embrace the gypsy inside of you.

Rebecca

63

Summer Mornings

Trees, calm as a breeze

just a picture

that was freeze.

Colourful kite

in the bright

blue sky.

Light brown river

month is June.

June, July, swim till you die.

Anna

64

Seanfhocail:

“Go neirí an bóthar leat as seo amach”

“Do réir a céile tógtair na caisléan”

“Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh siad”

“Is ar scát a céile a mhaireann na daoine”

Denis

65

From Self-Reliance to Dependence

Growing up as a teenager in the 1940‟s, it was towards the end of the

Second World War when life was difficult for many due to shortages

of food. We had ration books for clothing. To my memory, it was a

great time. Living with my parents and three brothers in Gibbstown,

Co. Meath, life could not have been better. Belonging to a farming

community we had full and plenty of everything. Ours was a mixed

farm of tillage - which was compulsory - and animal husbandry.

There was a good variety of animals and poultry. From the land we

enjoyed abundance of potatoes and vegetables – the staple diet of the

ordinary people of Ireland. Wheat, when harvested, was brought to

the local mill and ground to brown flour. From this healthy flour we

had our daily supply of freshly baked soda bread. For cakes and

pastry we sieved the flour through a very fine sieve. taking away

most, it not all, the brown bran. Oats, when harvested, was also

brought to the same mill where it was crushed to provide pin-head

oatmeal. Every morning we had the oatmeal as porridge, well cooked

and delicious with milk or cream. The small dairy farm supplied

ample milk, cream and butter. Unfortunately, we never got to cheese-

making.

Eggs were abundant from the poultry. All enjoyed an egg for

breakfast. The men had two eggs. Each year, generally before

Christmas, we killed a pig. It was then salted and cured for a few

weeks, hung from the kitchen ceiling. The bacon we enjoyed each

day, boiled with vegetables from the garden – cabbage, turnips,

carrots and parsnips. We grew plenty onions, they kept throughout

the winter, hanging in bunches from a bar in the shed.

On Sundays, feast-days, or when we had visitors my mother

would always find a good big chicken to boil, giving delicious meat

and soup. Each week we sold whatever eggs and butter were surplus

to the family‟s needs, providing cash for groceries and other family

necessities. Life was simple.

66

My father loved his sheep and lambs; he was a shepherd at heart.

Wool fetched a good price during the war. He knew how to select the

best lambs‟ wool, sometimes black, but mostly white. The wool my

mother would prepare for spinning, first carding it into little soft

rolls, then on her spinning wheel into large balls of yarn. From the

wool yarn she knitted our stockings, jumpers, gloves and caps,

keeping us all cosy and warm during the winter months.

During the summer we had plenty of fruit in the garden,

rhubarb, gooseberries, blackcurrants and apples, providing lots of

desserts and jam. There was a Government grant of sugar for jam-

making, which was stocked up for the winter months.

That was a time of healthy diet and great self-reliance, all

friendly to nature, different from to-day. Now we depend so much on

fast foods, the mobile, computer, and so many disposables – not all

healthy or good for the environment.

Nora L.

67

Change

68

The Last Word:

“Empowerment” = Leadership which excites, motivates and

liberates others.

Denis

69

The Miller‟s House – Introduction

Built between 1780-1820 as house for the miller, it stood beside a

water-powered flour mill which stood where the Madeira House

apartments are. A Mrs. Mitchell ran the mill with her five sons, built

the house beside it, then built a house on Prospect hill. Between

herself and her sons they finally owned corn, flour, linen and bleach

mills.

There were several flour mills, six oat-mills, two malt-mills, three

fulling-mills, a bleach-mill, and two distilleries in the small area

comprising Mill Street, Presentation Road, Nuns‟ Island and the

West Bridge. In reality, early versions of „factories‟, they were

called mills because they were operated by water-powered mill

wheels.

On Mill Street alone there were three mills, a brewery, foundry (the

Garda Barracks), a brush factory, and a sawmill (at Parkavera).

Imagining the number of people it took to run these mills, and the

number of families supported by them, between it and the Claddagh

the area must have been densely populated.

The site of the pink-painted building which stands today near the Car

Park was previously occupied by a Charitable Lying-In Hospital built

in 1820. A Grand Jury of the County sent women to the Rotunda

Hospital in Dublin to learn midwifery.

The connection with the name Ruxton comes from a gentleman of

that name who lived in Dublin, but was witness to memorials

transferring property in the area. So the little bridge to the left of Croí

na Gaillimhe as you leave was called after him.

According to Hardiman‟s History of Galway, in the early 1800‟s the

export trade was declining. It had one time included large quantities

of kelp and fine marble (there was a quarry of beautiful black marble

at Merlin Park), as well as superior quality wheat. Hardiman

wondered with all the sheep in the surrounding areas why nobody

thought of exporting woollen goods.

70

Salmon, herring, sun-fish, cod, turbot, oysters and lobster were in

great supply. They were eaten locally, or sent to the Dublin Market.

Oysters were exported to England and France even then. According

to Hardiman the fishing industry was not well managed, and could

have been more productive.

A Nail-maker did business in the tiny triangular shop around the

corner in Dominic Street until the 1970‟s.

Mrs. Mannion, a niece of Mr. Hill, the last person to own this

miller‟s house and mill, still lives in Galway.

This play came about from our weekly Living Scenes classes in Art

and Creative Writing in Croí na Gaillimhe. As we painted and wrote

and created masks and banners we began to wonder about the history

of the house we work in, and started to research it.

Having uncovered some of its story, we began to imagine the

characters who one time lived in the Miller‟s House.

Written and acted by the Living Scenes participants from Galway

Community College and St. Vincent de Paul Resource Centre at Croí

na Gaillimhe, this play is the result.

Hedy Gibbons: May, 2011.

71

Croí na Gaillimhe; The Miller's House

72

Old Fire, New Fire, or The Miller's House

Cast of Characters

Mrs. Mitchell Nora Lally

Howard Mitchell Denis O‟Brien

Thomas Michell Dmitrys Usolonoks

David Mitchell Davis Bergholcs

Edward Mitchell Karol Kyriacou

Patrick Mitchell Igor Kucharski

Peggy Josephine Kelly

Emily Anna Cleary

Aunt Beatrice (Mrs. Mitchell‟s sister) Maria Moore

Her Friend, Martha Maureen Kelly

Mrs. Ruxton Leny Mannens

Bean Uí Máirtín Patricia McLaughlin

Delia Óg Nora Barrett

„Mrs.‟ O‟Connell, the midwife Bridge Quinn

73

Old Fire, New Fire or

The Miller's House

The year is 1802. We are in The Miller‟s House, Mill Street,

Galway where the Mitchell Family, who own the mill, are having

breakfast:

Sitting around the table are the five Mitchell sons Howard,

Thomas, David, Edward, and Patrick.

Enter Mrs Mitchell, their mother, and Head of the Family..

She rings for the maid, sits down at the table, and looks around at

her family.

Mrs. Mitchell: (she glances round the table).

Good morning boys. I'm glad to see you 're all here.

But where is Emily, Edward? Is she well this

morning?

Enter Emily, who takes her place in the last seat at the table.

Mrs. Mitchell: Oh Emily, here you are. And looking well.

I was just about to tell the family...

Peggy, the maid, enters and goes to Mrs Mitchell.

Peggy: Sorry M'am. No fresh herrin's this morning. At least

not for us.. Bean Ui Mairtin said to tell you.

(she backs away from the table, and hurries out the door.)

Mrs.Mitchell: I'll deal with those Claddagh women later. Now,

as I was saying. I am expecting very important

visitors from Dublin later to-day- Mr and Mrs

Ruxton.(she looks at Emily, the new daughter-in-

law)

74

Edward may not have told you, Emily dear, but Mr.

Ruxton is our family lawyer. His wife has great

influence around this city. I am expecting her for tea

this afternoon. Please be here. I'd like you to meet

her.

Emily: Yes, ma‟m

Mrs. Mitchell: Now, we have some very important decisions to

finalise to day. (looks around at all her sons, who

respond in their own ways).

Edward: (standing up quickly) May I be excused Ma? I want

to get to the stables to check on the stallion before

they…

Mrs. Mitchell: Sit down Edward! I said important business.

As you all know the mills are doing well. It‟s time

to re-invest some of our profits. I have decided to

buy a house on Prospect Hill. It would be a very

good investment. A great location. And would

make a very suitable home for Edward and Emily.

(she smiles at the young couple).

Emily: (looking excited and happy). Oh thank you Mam! It

would be lovely to have our own home ((she looks

at Edward) And so nice to be close to the city,

especially for this baby coming along...

Edward: (Getting up from the table to pace up and down) But

I don't want a house on Prospect Hill. Or any other

hill for that matter. Claregalway would be much

better. Good flat land, plenty of it, good grazing,

handy for the Galway Blazers.

75

Patrick: (looks and sounds pleased) Prospect Hill? There

should be plenty of space in Prospect Hill for

playing football. I could bring my friends ...

Thomas: (not pleased) House? Mother, now is the time to buy

another mill! There‟s one for sale further up Mill

Street. I' m sure we could get it at a good price...

A house for those two can wait! (He glares at

Edward)

Emily: I'd love a house in the city. It‟s free. I‟ll take it!

Mrs. Mitchell: (turning to Howard): Well Howard?

Howard: Another mill! How can I think about another mill?

I'm due in court later..a matter of a small gambling

debt. Don't worry Ma, Mr. Ruxton is making a good

case for me. I'm sure he‟ll see me right, but I need to

show up in Court.

(he stands up) I must be off. The judge likes to see

some respect...(heads for the door)

Enter Peggy, who goes to the table to stand beside Mrs. Mitchell..

Peggy: Will I clear away M'am? Them Claddagh women,

they said they‟d be back to-day….

Mrs. Mitchell: Yes, please clear the table Peggy. I‟ll deal with

those Claddagh women later.

Howard: (turns back at the door to say):

"I won't be here for lunch.

After Court I have a meeting with Mrs O‟Connell,

the midwife at the Lying-In Hospital. To do with

sending a woman to Dublin to train as a midwife...

76

Peggy: (about to carry things from the table) If you believe

that M'am, you‟ll believe anything!

Mrs. Mitchell: That‟s enough Peggy. And remember, Mrs. Ruxton

will be here at three. Have the front parlour fire

lighting and a tea-tray set.

Peggy: But Ma‟m, I saw Howard and Mrs. O‟Connell, the

midwife…

Mrs. Mitchell: I said that‟s enough, Peggy! Please leave us!

David: (standing up) I agree with Thomas. We should buy

another mill. We need to expand now, while we can.

There are five of us to think about! Six, and more, if

you count Emily.(he smiles at her).

Patrick: (looks at his mother) You promised Ma. You said

the next place would have enough space for me to

play football!

Mrs.Mitchell: Patrick. You‟re a bright boy. I have great hopes for

you. I wish you to study law. With Mrs. Ruxton‟s

help in Dublin I hope to get you into Trinity

College. There you can play all the football you like.

Just have some patience.

Edward: (looking at his mother)Ma, you‟d better have a word

with Mr. Ruxton this evening. I got in a bit of a fight

last night. Nothing serious. But I owe one of the

Blakes a hundred guineas - a little matter of a filly...

Emily: (gasps) Oh Edward!...

Edward: (smiling at Emily) The four legged kind of course,

my dear.

77

Mrs. Mitchell: That‟s enough! All of you! I expect you to be on

your best behaviour today.

Thomas, you'll be here when Mrs. Ruxton comes for

tea. She likes to be greeted properly.

You too, Emily.

Patrick, I don‟t think we need you for tea. Or the

rest of you. But you must all be here for dinner.

Eight o‟clock sharp.

And Emily, would you see to it that Peggy sets

enough places for dinner. Eleven. Mr. and Mrs.

Ruxton may have someone with them. And Aunt

Beatrice will be with us – I think.

***********

Scene II: Later that afternoon, we join Mrs. Mitchell,

Emily and Thomas in the Front Parlour. They

are waiting for Mrs. Ruxton to arrive.

Emily: Oh, Mam, the house in the city would be lovely.

Mrs. Mitchell: And you will have it my dear.

That Edward is a handful, but between us we‟ll

manage him. (She looks closely at Emily)You are

feeling quite well?

Emily: Oh yes. But it would be wonderful to have fresh air

and space for this baby. And maybe others...With

the mill here, there‟s so much dust in the air…

Peggy: (rushing in). Excuse me Ma‟m, Miss Beatrice to see

you...I told her you were expecting an important

person. ...but

Mrs. Mitchell: Oh. That sister of mine. Yes, Bea, what is it?

Enter Auntie Beatrice, somewhat puffed, fanning herself.

78

Aunt Beatrice: It‟s hot in here. I can see this isn‟t a good time. I'm

not staying. I know you‟re expecting very important

visitors. I just wanted a word with Emily.(she turns

to Emily)

Emily dear, Mrs. O‟Connell, the Midwife, would

like to come and see you. To check on this baby, as

much as you.

I just met herself and Howard outside the door.

They‟re doing great work setting up this midwife

training.

Mrs. O‟Connell knows such a lot about babies.

Emily: (turning to the audience) Ah, she would, wouldn‟t

she... Howard better watch out...

Beatrice and Emily move to one side of stage and talk quietly

between themselves..

Peggie: (Entering again) : Mrs. Ruxton is here, M'am.

All turn to look as Mrs. Ruxton enters, and greets everyone. They all

bow in return.

Mrs. Mitchell: You‟re very welcome, Mrs. Ruxton. (She gets to

her feet, but waits for Mrs. R. to come to her.)

Please excuse my slowness. The rheumatics are very

bad these days. (She takes Mrs. R’s arm and turns

towards Emily).

I‟d like you to meet my new daughter-in-law

Emily. She and Edward married last autumn. (Emily

and Mrs. Ruxton smile at each other).

And you have met my son Thomas before, of

course.

(Thomas bows, and moves to hold a chair for Mrs.

Ruxton)

79

Mrs. Ruxton: Thank you Thomas. (She sits down, settles

herself)

Emily: I hope you had a good trip, Mrs. Ruxton. I‟ve

heard the road from Loughrea is much

improved.

Lady Ruxton: Well, it is still an uncomfortable journey.

However, we are here two days. So I am well

rested.

Emily: (Moving to the tea tray) May I pour you some

tea, Mrs. Ruxton?

Mrs. Ruxton: Yes, tea would be lovely. (She smiles at Emily,

who goes to pour tea).

Peggy (running in again). More visitors M'am. The

Claddagh women. I told them you didn't want

to be disturbed, but...

Two women storm in. Walk straight over to Mrs Mitchell.

Bean Ui Mairtin: We won't wait any longer.

You owe us five pounds for the herrings, ten

for the salmon and prawns...

Mrs Mitchell: I‟ve told you ladies before, you will be paid

when I get paid for my flour. Not before.

Bean Ui Mairtin: Fine for you, but I have ten mouths to feed…

Delia: It‟s the likes of you that has us how we are,

living hand to mouth. (looking at Emily) This

one isn‟t the only one carrying a child. And I

won‟t be able to go to the Lying-In, will I?

Who would put in a good word for me?

80

(The door opens, and in come Howard and Mrs. O’Connell)

Howard: Good afternoon everyone. Mrs. Ruxton. (he bows to

her). I have brought someone for you all to meet.

Mrs. O‟Connell, the city‟s first official mid-wife.

(He takes Mrs. O’Connell’s hand and draws her

forward).

And soon to be my wife. (H. smiles at Mrs. O’C and

puts his arm around her. Gasps from everyone.

Mrs. Mitchell collapses in her chair. Auntie Bea and

Emily grin at each other.The Claddagh women

stand looking on, and whispering to

themselves.Martha, Auntie Bea’s friend is agog at

the goings-on. Mrs. Ruxton gets up and gathers

herself to leave.)

Mrs. Ruxton: I will see you later this evening Mrs. Mitchell.

(moves towards the door)

You people! (She looks around from one to the

other) This would never happen in Dublin.

Emily: Ah, now. This is Galway! It‟s the city of the Tribes!

The End