Memories
BOAT
CLUB MEMORIES
Calling all guys and dolls who ‘graduated’ from Cork
Boat Club, Blackrock in the ‘60’s.
Sunday nights when we jived and fox-trotted to bands like the late Johnny Byrne
with Brendan O’Brien in his ranks. The marvellous Dukes featuring Ted O’Mahony,
Arthur Butler and the wonderful voice of the late Paddy Walsh. Music makers with
Con McGowen, Jimmy Mintern plus many more talented entertainers.
Close your eyes and recall Barmy Summer Nights and Ladies Bash (invitation), Jim
Reeves’ “He’ll Have to Go”, Danny Williams’ “Moon River”, “Visions of Love,” by
Cliff Richard. Couples in close embrace ‘hands all round’ and things were
serious.
Us guys “Cock of the wall” in snazzy suits and pointed shoes. Every girl a
‘lasher’ in dresses with umpteen underskirts. Not a jumper or jeans in sight.
The world our oyster. Carefree wonderful days.
I’m sure if a supper dance, or better still, a dinner dance was organised for
the ‘classes of the 60’s’ it would be a respounding success.
Neil O’Donoghue,
Douglas.
GOLDEN
MEMORIES OF YESTER-YEARS
Dear Editor,
With regard to last weeks letter from Neil re-Boat Club Memories. It brought me
back to those balmy nights of the 60’s era. I was one of those “Dolls” in
“Umpteen Underskirts”. I would be starching it from one Sunday night to the
other. Neil used to dance there before he met the love of his life, he was a
thorough gentleman. Every Sunday night there would be a stampede for the bus at
the Statue at 7.30.pm. The fare was 7 old pennys ( 3 new pence). The Boat Club
was 7 old shillings (15 new pence), I stand to be corrected on those prices.
Every Monday morning we would get the ‘Examiner’ at work to read who would be
playing in the Boat Club on the following Sunday night. The “Music Makers” were
our favourites, and that would be our topic for the rest of the week. Jim Reeves
was my favourite singer. The lights were always low in the Boat Club. The “Guys”
would stand on one side of the hall, and the “Dolls” on the other side. When the
music played up the “Guys” would make a bee-line across the floor for the
“Dolls”. It was like a cattle mart. During the night ‘Ladies Choice’ would play
up, that meant you would ask the “Guy” you danced with for the previous dance,
and then he would return the next dance, and that meant you would have three
dances with the same “Guy”.
I would always watch what colour ‘Tie’ the “Guy” would have that danced me, just
in case Ladies Choice would play up.
This incident always stands out in my mind. As I said the lights were low.
Ladies Choice played up. The “Guy” I had danced with had a lavender tie. I went
across the floor to find him, saw this “Guy” with a lavender tie and I asked him
to dance. We were going around the floor when I spotted the other poor “Guy”
standing by the wall with his lavender tie and a long face on him, I nearly
choked. I said to the fella I was dancing with that I had made a mistake, he
started laughing and said “We are the only two guy’s in the hall with lavender
ties”.
They were very trendy for that era. And would you believe the first “Guy” came
back to me for the return of ladies choice. I was mortified, I apologised to
him, he accepted and I was always guaranteed a dance with him from that night
on. I did not marry the “Guy” with the lavender tie. But all my friends and
myself met our husbands at the Boat Club, thirty odd years ago, and today we are
all happily married . So Neil you will be in-undated with requests for the
Re-cycled Teenagers Dinner Dance.
Thanks for the memories Neil!
Yours Sincerly
Re-cycled Teenager, Douglas