Also here we learnt that 'in 1837 the code laid down that only single men were eligible to enlist in the police'. 'Marriage was not permitted until the policeman had served at least 7 years, by which time he should be able to support a wife'.
'In order to marry, a policeman had to obtain permission from his superiors, but this could be refused if his intended wife was thought to be unsuitable after she and her family were vetted'.
Some policemen chose to resign in order to marry. From 1943 women were allowed to join the police but had to resign if they wished to marry, this bar was only lifted in 1968.
In Belfast, the Parliament building, Stormount, is built of a beautiful white stone. In WW2 they had to coat it with manure and black tar to hide it from the air (Belfast was a prime target being a main port). They are still trying to remove the last remnants. It has 5 columns, for the provinces, 7 floors for each day of the week and is 365 feet long, days of the year.
Finding a parking space or a public toilet is a problem in Ireland - and if you can find either you'll be paying for the use of it!!
But having said all that - we loved Ireland!! And our wee VW Golf went like a dream - our new favourite car!
People were all so lovely and interesting and friendly. The hostess (elderly) in the pub in Cork (Reidy's Vault Bar) where I had lasagne which cost me £11!!! (about $20), had the habit of staying the same word of phrase over and over eg 'I know, I know, I know....' 'yes, yes, yes.....' 'no, no, no....' When we got back to Rosslare we found our young host Jonathon doing the same thing - hadn't noticed it that much elsewhere.
More in Northern Ireland than elsewhere, we found people saying 'wee' a lot - 'take a wee seat and I'll bring you a wee cup of tea in a wee minute'.
So many interesting and beautiful things and people........
I have an ancestor from Cahir, Tipperary, called Mary Condon. Imagine my surprise when I came upon a sign outside a pub saying that Mary Condon was the publican (and the funeral director!) We went in and met her - and lovely, she was! Going to do a bit more research when we get home about all that family.
This is the family motto and history that
Mary had in a frame in her pub.
At the cliffs of Moher. Yes, it looks a brilliant sunny day - but as you can tell by the fact that we are so well rugged up, it was bitterly cold!!
One of the things I really wanted to do in Ireland was to witness a music 'session' - and here it is, and a good one it was. In Doolin at O'Connor's pub - they do good food too!
The De Lorean car used in 'Back To The Future' films
No comments:
Post a Comment