There is a phrase that some people in Ireland, particularly the older generation use to describe going to the shop for groceries, they say they are 'going for messages'. One of our neighbours in Ireland, a ninety two year old retired farmer was talking, when we were there last, of times when people were very poor, he said "They didn't even have enough to go for messages."
        
Does anyone know the origin of this phrase being used in this context?

Rog