Memories of Christmas in Ballinrobe

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The news broke at lunchtime. In the school-yard in Ballinrobe “the toys are out on Willie Hughes” window” spread like wildfire! We couldn’t wait for 3.30 when the race began down Main Street to see the array of playthings on show.

Aladdin’s Cave  

Noses pressed against glass, eyes bulging at all the marvellous things on show. Meccano sets, Dinky vehicles, cap-guns and larger metal toys with makers names such as TRIANG and CHAD VALLEY.

For the girls ‘PEDIGREE’ dolls, tea-sets and centre stage in the window a pink dolls house (in place of the mechanical old lady putting money into an ODEAREST mattress). Later toys appeared on Jack Murphy’s window in Main St and Nellie Walsh’s in Abbey St.

Santa in John McTigue’s

As Christmas day approached each child was hoping they would receive the toy they had asked their parents for. For the younger children Santa Claus was on hand at John McTigue’s in Main St, accessible up the iron spiral staircase; a wonder in itself!.

Christmas day was spent playing with the new toys and calling to your friend’s house to see what he got as a present.

Stephen’s Day   

On St. Stephen’s day afternoon while the ‘MUMMERS ‘were on the street calling to the pubs, the boys went to the matinee in the Ritz cinema, our pockets full of ‘Flash bars’ and other goodies. If the film was a ‘western’ or a ‘war film’ untold numbers of people were ‘shot’ afterwards on High St!.

Christmas was a wonderful time.