This day last year, the Trust held a show to mark 125 years since its foundation. Last week, we received a special note of thanks from John Clarke, a resident of Elveden House.
Thank you John, your eloquent words are very much appreciated.
A note of thanks…
Eddie, in his eighties, was on his way down Bull Alley for his usual few Jemmies in Fallon’s.
There was nothing special about the night, apart from the unseasonably warm weather for December, and maybe, it being just a little too close to Christmas for comfort?
As he approached the old school, the sights and sounds from an event happening there encouraged him to rest by the railings of the Park.
Looking up at the over-sized window, the bay one of the old playroom of the Iveagh Trust School, he heard a familiar melody that made his heart race a little. “After the Ball was Over, after…” his mother had sung this to him so often as a small boy, and indeed, repeated it at the many Sunday sing-alongs in such pubs as the Liberty Bell, Lord Edward, and indeed the Barley Moe!
He remembered…….He remembered the glee on her face as she would tell him about receiving her bottle of Coca Cola and a rock bun every day as a treat. Every day!
Tremendous applause hit the air as the sound ended. He didn’t want to move, for at that moment his memories were beautiful…beautiful in a world that made little sense to him now.
“Oh Holy Night, the stars…” was to keep him in a silence and joy for what seemed like an eternity. He now had to move along as he knew the young people with their phones and i-phones and tablet computers, would take his hallowed stool at the bar if he lingered any further.
As he turned into Patrick Street, he looked back with a tear in his eye and thanked The Iveagh Trust.
He thanked them for the memories, and he thanked them for the community spirit he felt that evening.
That evening was Friday, Friday 11th December 2015.
John Clarke ~ 12th December 2015.