8th June, 2000
I was down in Crosshaven last weekend and it was
certainly undergoing a transformation. I was saddened to notice
that the “Merries” were not open. Two years ago I
interviewed Georgina Piper (The Piper family are the Merries) she
told me that Pipers had been in Crosshaven for the past eighty
years, call me old fashioned, but I believe that Crosshaven
without the Merries is not the same. We all have memories, mostly
happy of our times in Crosshaven during the summer.
I've always considered myself lucky to have been 17 years old in
the sixties and holidaying in “Crosser”. Way back then
I had two friends, Michael Bowman and John Ryan, Johns family had
a cottage in Crosshaven, and one of the most enjoyable weeks I
ever spent in my life was sharing the cottage with Michael and
John. The cottage was situated a short distance from the Majorca
Ballroom. There we were, three 17 year olds with a cottage to
ourselves for a week in the summer. Thousands of people flocking
to the dance hall and the merries, seeing and hearing great bands
like the Freshmen and eating chips from Miss Murphy's chip shop.
Sadly nothing stays the same, the Majorca is gone, the lead
singer with the Freshmen Billy Brown died last year, Mike Bowman
died in London in the early 70's, Joe Piper who ran the bumpers
in the merries passed away last year. They probably never knew
each other, but their paths surely crossed hundreds of times, and
I count myself lucky to have known and enjoyed their part in
making my memories of Crosshaven so happy.
Last year I saw a piece on T.V about old fairground attractions.
I think it was either Denmark or Holland, the local authorities
recognised the historical contribution these old forms of
entertainment had provided. They provided them with a site where
they opened a few times a year, just to continue the tradition.
Pipers have been a part of Cork social and cultural life for
almost 100 years, and we should insist that their contribution to
our social pleasures of the past should not go unrecognised.
After all there's much more to life than Rupert Murdoch.
Last week in Kerry there was a debate on “Corruption in
Irish Politics” Des Peelo, one of the speakers told the
meeting that C.J Haughey was a complex man. He also stated that
there was not a single allegation of corruption made against C.J
Des also told us that the patrons (another word for people who
give you money because they like you) who gave gifts to C.J
wanted to be close to the Sun!! There's one problem when you get
too close to the Sun your wings melt!! Incidentally, Des is a
friend of C.J Haughey.
The residents of Frankfield are still waiting for a bus service.
A few weeks ago on a wet Friday I saw school children being
soaked as they walked from the last stop at Grange to Frankfield.
Waiting for a bus service since 1957!! In the words of Paddy
Donegan “It's a Thundering Disgrace”
It must be tough being a politician. One rang the office last
week and just before the conversation ended Ronnie asked “what
do you think of the O'Flaherty Appointment?” Silence for a
second and then came the reply “I'll ring you back in 5
minutes”. That was 34,560 minutes ago and we are still
waiting. As I said it must be tough not been able to say what you
feel or think.
Bye for now,
Michael O'Hanlon.
