What was it like growing up in Forkhill in the 50s and 60s?
Life was not quite a bed of roses in the Forkhill area of south Armagh during the 50s and 60s.
Like most rural areas in Ulster, electricity was conspicuous by its absence, cars were thin on the ground, social life was limited, and holidays were simply not on the agenda.
Such indeed was the rather spartan lifestyle that people became well acquainted with self-sacrifice and made the most of their limited luxuries and benefits.
Indeed, growing up in the Forkhill area during that particular period involved self-sacrifice to a huge degree and a willingness to make do and mend when various situations arose.
Marie McCartan, who has penned a new book Down Longfield, which gives an insight into life within the community, was among those who sampled life at the cutting edge but happily lived to tell the tale.
‘Down Longfield’, is a vivid and nostalgic account of growing up near Forkhill village in the turbulent 1950’s and 60s and shares the resilience of a community living under curfew on a patrolled border, where smugglers outwit customs and the Foresters’ hall is a makeshift classroom, cinema, dole office, dance hall, youth club and theatre.
Cars taking teenagers to dances in Dundalk are bought for a fiver at the local scrapyard and held together with binder twine. The label from a Guinness bottle is used for a tax disc. ‘Down Longfield’ weaves a lively tapestry of family life in the last century before the escalating conflict changes lives forever.
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💫 Competition Winners!
Congratulations to L McK and C Corr who have each won a pair of tickets to The Market Place Theatre’s ‘Curtain Up On 25’ anniversary show!
We have contacted the winners via email who will soon visit the theatre to collect their tickets.
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Saturday February 22 | 7.30pm | Annagh United Annual Quiz | £5 per head, max four people per team | All welcome | Prizes on the night!
Sunday February 23 | 7pm | 1st Portadown Boys' Brigade Old Boys' Association Annual Church Service | Thomas Street Methodist Church, Portadown.
Friday February 21 | 7.30pm | 4th Portadown Boys' Brigade 'Steak Night' | First Presbyterian Church (Edenderry) Hall | Tickets - £25 per person | Tickets and further information available from David Binks, telephone 07928 852787.
Thursday March 13 | 7.30pm | Portadown College Music Department Centenary Year Finale Celebration Concert | Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre | Tickets : £12 (adults), £8 (concession). Tickets available from Portadown College Music Department or via ticket source | Proceeds in aid of a new piano for the Music Department.
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