Postcard from Alison in Belfast

Subject: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: alison
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 12:08 PM

Just a note to say that we arrived safely after many hours in the air and MANY in airports.

I've been to the beach, chased the kids round a ruined castle, bought several new whistles.... life is good.....

I can't access my ICQ contact list but I can still be contacted (ICQ 16719177)...

Maybe I'll be able to join in with a UK hearme now that I'm the right time zone......

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Alice
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 12:14 PM

GREAT to hear from you! Have a wonderful vacation!

Alice

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Giac
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 12:33 PM

Sounds lovely, Alison. Looking forward to further reports. Have a wonderful time! ~:o)

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: JedMarum
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 12:33 PM

I wish I was there!! I hope you have a great trip ...

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 01:37 PM

Was just wondering last night, during HearMe, about your trip and how you were doing. Thanks for taking the time to let us know. New whistles, huh? Goodie...can't wait to hear you play them!

Take care,

kat

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 05:37 PM

Alison, you can find me in the telephone directory
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 05:38 PM

What about ye, big girl? Watch out for shite, snatters, keek, pooley and pish, and have an Ulster fry and a bowl of champ for me! Have a great time, and get me a red peppermint rock with "Belfast" all the way through it. All the best to you and your'ns.
Seamus

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 05:58 PM

Ah, the Irish lass goes home. I too was thinking about you and am glad you posted. Have the great time I know you will and as you fly past....wave.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Helen
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 07:23 PM

So, back in the land of harp-lust. How many harps can an Irish-Australian 'Cat fit in a suitcase? Just wait a few weeks and we'll all find out.

Have a wonderful time, all of you.

Helen

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Brendy
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 08:01 PM

I'm still on the wrong side of a dacent sody farl, here, Alison; plans have changed, and now I'll be flying into 'sweet' Aldergrove, 3, Oct, and back here end of Nov. Meant to tell you sooner; but I wasn't sure myself until yesterday.

Oh, have loads of craic, alright?

B.

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Bugsy
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 08:19 PM

HAve a Great Holiday Ali, And bring me back a stick of rock.

Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Jimmy C
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 01:07 AM

Have a great time in Beal Feirste, have a pint for me in Kelly's Cellars.

Slainte

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Áine
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 09:50 AM

Hey there missy! Have a great time (and don't eat too much!). Thanks for letting know where you are -- you know how anxious the rest of your 'family' can get when you go flitting about like this. *BG* Hope you're taking lots of pics, so we can all see what kind of stuff you're getting up to. Kisses and squiggy hugs to the lil 'uns.

Be safe and have fun, Áine

(And buy some extra biscies for the kids from Auntie Áine)

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 10:21 AM

Salute Harland and Wolf shipyard for me Alison; and have a Black Bush in McBrides on me.... Cheers. Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Big Mick
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 11:51 AM

Well, FAIR ONE, I was sitting and enjoying the craic with a pretty illustrious bunch of Irish musicians last night and found meself thinking how much you would have enjoyed it. And a couple of them were Ulster lads. I hope you have a wonderful time at home, but as Aíntín Aíne says, please keep us all posted. I can't wait to see the pix of the Castles and dolmans. Enjoy, and don't forget to pick the right night, when the wind and moon and stars are just right, and go out with a harp and whistle to a special place. Let the instruments have their heads and play for the old ones. Remember the old times.

Mick

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: InOBU
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 02:34 PM

Well, I will be over in Wiltshire, but raise one in the Hunting Lodge for me... Enjoy
Larry

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 03:32 PM

By my reckoning, if Allison lifts one, at all of the places mentioned, for each of us who've asked her too, she should be pretty well pissed throughout the whole trip! Esp. since she is not a very large-sized person.**BG** Happy toasting, Allison and if ya need a break, just lift a cup a'tea for me, willya? T'anks!

Big Mick, you're still sending shivers up my spine when you speak of such....I am there....thank you.

katlaughing

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: GUEST,Annraoi
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 05:12 PM

Alison,
We breathe the same air at last. Give me a shout. I'm in the local phone book under H.O'Prey.
Annraoi.

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: GUEST,Renee in New Zealand
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 05:22 PM

Have a wee squiz at Ardoyne and tell me if Everton School is still standing. I went there in 1956. Been in NZ since I was 12, but I still regularly make sody farls and tatie farls and champ.

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Quincy
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 06:33 PM

Have a lovely time Alison!!!
Am supposed to be back there myself but have hurt my arm at work so can't drive!!
Am waiting here in the south of England to be fit to travel.
Hope the weather is kind to you.....changeable as ever I'm sure!
All the very best, Yvonne (Qhuincy!!)

By the way Larry.....is that Wiltshire in England you're talking about?? I'm staying in the next county to you if you are!
best wishes, Yvonne (formerly Sandy....don't forget we have march to do together in Belfast next year!!!)

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Callie
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 07:26 PM

Alison - I thought I hadn't heard you shouting across the valleys for a while, and now I know why!! Have a fantastic time, y'hear? Callie

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Den
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 10:24 PM

I was trying to talk to you the other day (icq) and there you were gone. I'm jealous as hell and according to my sister (spoke to her this morning) they are experiencing summer... with good weather. Remember have lots of Tayto cheese and onion sandwiches curried chips and for God's sake check out Barney G's in Crummick street for the best pasties known to man or woman. If you get up the coast to Newcastle watch out for the knees ok. Gimmie a shout on the ICQ if you can this week and if you let us know when, go into the Crown Bar, so some of us Catters can check you out actually quaffing a pint of the black stuff on the web camera they have in there. There is a link off the Belfast Telegraph home page to the Crown. The URL is www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk. And mind yourself girl. Den

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: WyoWoman
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 11:20 PM

Alison -- Good to hear you've arrived and are having a great time. I'll look forward to photos and a full accounting ...

Godspeed, WW

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Marcus Campus Bellorum
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 05:41 AM

Any of those Irish Bronze Age Horns being played over there?

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: alison
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 06:59 AM

Den, send me your ICQ number.. I can't access them....

thanks everyone for the pints....... and good wishes...

Philippa send me a surname please..... (send me a personal message, I don't want to hand out my sister's email address)

The weather is WONDERFUL... sun is splittin' the trees, and I'm to the beach again, just dropped in quickly on the way.

Kat... drinking heaps of tea..... Den and Seamus - eating lots of veda, and pasties.....

Mick, I have at last found a low D whistle I can play, I did exactly what you suggested, there is a beautiful old hill round the corner (part of an old motte and bailey castle).....

see you all again sometime....

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: InOBU
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 08:17 AM

Yvonne (Sandy)
Yup - getting on the plane today for Devises... will be busking in Bath for a few weeks... Look for an Uilleann piper playing with our ould dear chum, the Popular Halfwit.
Larry

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: alison
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 11:48 AM

Brendy, it's a shame we won't be able to meet up.. maybe another time....

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 01:17 PM

Robinson

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Brendy
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 02:11 PM

Ah, sure Australia isn't that far away, as the crow flies, Alison. Who knows what the next year may bring!!!

Have a great time.

B.

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: GUEST,Annraoi
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 08:23 PM

All this modern technology is amazing. Alison phoned me yesterday. What a wonderful girl - she thought I sounded so young !!! I'll definitely buy her a few pints in the John Hewitt before she heads back to Oz. Any other Catters in Belfast or district give me a call. I'm in the phone book (see previous posting). Annraoi

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Jimmy C
Date: 28 Aug 00 - 11:47 PM

Annroi,

You're not O'Prey from around the New Lodge by any chance ?

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: GUEST,Annraoi
Date: 29 Aug 00 - 03:49 PM

Yes indeedy !! And who might you be ?
Annraoi
BTW, Alison, if you read this, the Holywood singers' club resumes this Sunday night at 8.00. Alec and Jim will both be there - as well as yours truly.
Annraoi

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Alice
Date: 29 Aug 00 - 04:14 PM

Reading this is like having a virtual vacation right along with you! yippeee!

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: alison
Date: 29 Aug 00 - 05:32 PM

Hahaha... you did sound young....

had a great chat on the phone last night with Annraoi, Philippa and Mike Ireland... nice to meet you all....it's great to put some voices to the names....... sorry your dinner got cold Mike *grin*.......

today I ordered some bodhrans...... tomorrow Mark and I are leaving the kids with "Granda" and heading off to Donegal(YIPPEE!!!!)... the sun is still shining.. the week after I think I'm borrowing a campervan and heading for Achill Island.... any West Coast 'catters nearby ???

might see you on Sunday night Annraoi .... give me a ring at the weekend with the exact address... although I reckon I can probably find it......

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Den
Date: 29 Aug 00 - 07:49 PM

Alison did you happen to order your bodhrans from Eamon Maguire? If not hold off purchasing anything untill you play one of his, seriously, he should be in the phone book or if you ask around someone will direct you to his shop that is a treat in itself. I lost touch with him when he moved his shop it used to be up the side of the Telegraph building. Den enjoy Donegal by the way...the Rosses and Gweedore.

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Áine
Date: 29 Aug 00 - 08:37 PM

OK, that does it! This just is NOT fair! I'm green with envy about you going to Donegal, alison. No really, I hope you have a fantastic time -- and I know you will, ya lucky girl. And do follow Den's advise about hearing Eamon's bodhráns. I've heard a couple of his played, and they really are a cut above the rest.

Touch the granite mountains and think of me awhile, a stór. Be safe and keep letting us know how you're getting on.

-- Áine (sitting here just a pining away...)

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: GUEST,Annraoi
Date: 29 Aug 00 - 08:44 PM

Alison,
Give me a ring about 5.30 - 8.00 today and I'll give you Éamonn's number.
Annraoi

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 29 Aug 00 - 09:00 PM

Annraoi, where does the Holywood singers' club meet?(Holywood, I guess, but more specifically...)

And which particular part of the New Lodge? My in-laws used to take up about half of Stratheden Street, but they've all moved onwards and upwards by now, bar one. (The last out got 40 grand for a house that wouldn't have fetched fifty quid in 1972! The estate agent's blurb said: "Imposing double-fronted town house..."*VBG*

And welcome to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Larry. Hope you're going to treat the place with some respect! If you're busking in Bath, it's almost worth a trip across, but alas I'm off to Crete soon and much to do first. Who made your pipes?

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Marcus Campus Bellorum
Date: 30 Aug 00 - 12:19 AM

And what about those bronze age horns??

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: GUEST,Annraoi
Date: 30 Aug 00 - 05:43 AM

Fionn, more specifically Trainfield Street. Holywood singing club:- travelling Bangorwards through Holywood, turn left at the maypole. Then look for a café/home bakery on the left just a few yards down the street. Entrance is by a "double door". Walk in and follow your ears. Annraoi

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 30 Aug 00 - 08:38 AM

One of the more enjoyable threads I've read lately. Sounds like you're having a wonderful time, Alison, and that's just great!

Now, what I want to know is whether any of your old friends and relatives have accused you of having an Australian accent.

All the best,
Dan

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: JedMarum
Date: 30 Aug 00 - 09:08 AM

Those of us 'earthbound' Mudcatters in places distant are enjoying your travels vicariously, Alison - and wish you continued adventures!

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Jimmy C
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 12:32 AM

Annroi,

I'm one of the Cushnans from Lepper street. I believe your mother and mine were either very good friends or related in some way. Her name was Simpson. My grandfather had the shoemaker shop in Lepper street close to the New Lodge Road.

Slainte

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Marcus Campus Bellorum
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 02:46 AM

Ok then, I get the picture. . .no bronze age horns.

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: GUEST,Annraoi
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 05:48 AM

JimmyC,
Gotcha ! Your mother was related to the Simpsons of Trainfield Street, the greyhound people. They lived beside the gate and on the other side were the Mooneys, cousins of the Simpson's. I am still in regular contact with the grandchildren of the Mooneys, Mary's children, to be exact.
Well, it's a small world, right enough. Where are you now? Annraoi

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: death by whisky
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 08:12 AM

Being a Derryman I'm familiar with Donegal,but I'M not in Derry,I'm in Kerry,about 7 hours from Derry/Donegal,depending on which part of Donegal your going to.I like Grainnan na Aileach,take Buncrana Rd from Derry,left at Bridgend,couple of miles,left at church,up the hill....spectacular.

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Jimmy C
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 12:09 PM

Annroi,

Nice to hear we're from the same neck of the woods. I left Belfast in 1966 and am now semi-retired in Whitby, Ontario - about 45 minutes east of Toronto. I still have 5 brothers, a sister and a daughter over there, I get home quite often, Will try to contact you the next time I'm over, may be around summer of 2001. I usually stay in Newington Avenue whn I am there. Give my regards to all the Barrack wall people.

Slainte

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Jimmy C
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 12:12 PM

Everybody,

I know this thread is for discussion about music and songs, I apoligize for using it for personal notes, its just that Annroi's Trainfield street home is less than a 2 minute walk from my own. I know you will all understand.

Thanks.

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: GUEST,Annraoi
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 02:21 PM

Den, you needn't have worried about Alison and Éamonn Maguire. I was in with him today and he told me she had been in earlier in the week and had ordered a couple of drums (as he prefers to call them).
Annraoi

Subject: RE: Postcard from Alison in Belfast
From: Jimmy C
Date: 31 Aug 00 - 02:34 PM

Annroi, Tell Eamonn (I don't know him) the next time you see him that I have one of his "DRUMS" its a real beauty. My inlaws the Mulgrews sent it to me a few years back. Everyone remarks on the tone and the classivcal look of it. Its a real cracker.