Skates

When I think back to my childhood, especially during the summer months, the long bright days and evenings were spent outside playing. I only went home to be fed and watered, use the bathroom, and back out again. There were plenty of kids to play with as many came from large families like mine.

Very few people owned a television, we made our own fun. In my family, there were 11 children, four girls, and seven boys. I came second last in the line. I didn’t realise at the time how lucky I was. I had so many looking out for me. I received much more than any of my siblings ever did when they were growing up. Life wasn’t easy for my Mam and Dad as they struggled to raise such a large family. They lived in a relatively new estate on the north side of Dublin, just a couple of years old; it was called Donnycarney. Prior to that, they lived in the inner city.

At age six I asked Santa for a pair of skates. My sister, who was two years older, asked for skates

My parents were very happy in the new house which came with a large back and front garden; they’d never had a garden before and all the family loved it. They moved in in 1947 and I was born in the house in 1950. I played outside from a young age as safety wasn’t an issue back then. Very little traffic came in and out of our estate and our roads were very safe. Kids were always out playing all sorts of games. Whether it be skipping, swinging on a lamppost, marbles, beds, skating, football, and many more. There wasn’t time to be bored; we were too busy. I was asked to write an essay on what I loved to do most when I was young; without a doubt, it was my love of skating.

At age six I asked Santa for a pair of skates. My sister, who was two years older, asked for skates. Christmas morning we ran downstairs. Under the tree was a box for Lily and Rita. We opened it and in there was a pair of skates. We told Mother Santa Claus only left one pair. Santa had his reasons for leaving one pair, maybe he thought for safety reasons this was the way to learn, Mam explained. So my sister got one and I got the other and we learned to share the skates The skates were made of steel with a leather strap and the wheels were also steel; they were very noisy. They were grey and the strap was red. This is how I started with the skates. I went up and down the road for hours on end on my one skate, while the older kids went whizzing by, but I was happy with what I had. My skate became a part of me and I wore it whenever possible.

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[ Read all Fighting Words contributions here ]

I spent a long time learning, and finally, the day came when my Mam said I think you’re ready to try both skates now. To stay up I held on to walls and railings trying not to fall, but it took a while to get the balance right. When I did manage it I was thrilled. I was on a roll so to speak and loved it — couldn’t get enough of skating. I learned quickly to do all kinds of tricks: skating backwards, doing twirls, and down on my hunkers. I loved the pleasure it gave me and the speed at which the skates could go. It was a kind of freedom, flying through the air. Even as I got older I still owned a pair of skates. Places I visited as a teenager were Palm Beach in Portmarnock, and the Green Lounge in Stephens Green on a Sunday afternoon. Other dance venues also held roller dances. Going round and round to the music was great and sometimes a fella would ask for a dance, this often ended up going out on a date. So there was also a romantic side to the skating. Butlins in Mosney had a fabulous outdoor rink; just loved that place.

I’m in my golden years now and would love to be able to get on a pair of skates. Unfortunately, health-wise I’m unable to do that but the memories linger of happy carefree days on my skates

Writing this essay has brought back many many happy memories for me.

I’m in my golden years now and would love to be able to get on a pair of skates. Unfortunately, health-wise I’m unable to do that but the memories linger of happy carefree days on my skates and the wonderful times I enjoyed. I still own a pair of roller skates. They’re hanging up in my shed and I would never part with them. They were such a part of me growing up. Such happy memories to cherish for always. Summer is on the way now and the kids will be out on their skates; I will love watching them remembering the happy times I did the very same thing.

The Words of Love project started one morning with a chat in the foyer of the Fighting Words centre in Dublin . Two Fighting Words mentors were talking about the world needing a little more love as they waited for the children to arrive for their workshop. This germ of an idea was developed and writers of all ages were approached to share their thoughts and experiences of love in all its forms; the result was a small, beautiful collection launched on April 14th. Here are a few pieces by participants from the Silverthread writing group who responded to the challenge of capturing the essence of love in words. You can find out more about Words of Love and read more pieces from the project on the Fighting Words website.