C or k C ou nt y C ou nc M il an d, the e C m ork C ou o nty Ag r e C F i rie o nd e l y r s Pr o k gr o am m C f e pr es h en a t ris Re tm al as A collection of cherised Christmas memories and beloved traditions from members of the Cork County Older People's Council Memories of a Real Cork Christmas Under the umbrella of Cork County Council’s ‘A Real Cork Christmas’ initiative, Cork County Age Friendly Programme invited members of Cork County Older People's Council to send their stories of Christmas Traditions and Childhood memories of Christmas. We received wonderful stories from lovely people. We decided to make a collection of these stories in print and plan to produce them in a limited edition book format in the New Year - a fitting tribute of appreciation to all of the participants . A copy of this booklet will be stored in the County Library Local Studies department and it will also be available to borrow in all Cork County Council Library and Arts Service branches. And of course, the contributors will get their own special copy to treasure. Copies of the book will also be presented to our Cork County Council Chief Executive, our Mayor and Divisional Managers in each region as well as to members of the Older People’s Council Executive. December 2020 I loved spending Christmas with my aunt Sheila in her caravan called ‘The Ark’ because various animals joined her there. On A Real Cork Christmas in Times Past Christmas Eve we made little presents, small notebooks made from old Christmas cards, the cover illustrated by Sheila with by Esther (Fermoy) pictures of cats or dogs, or her favourite robin which fed from her hand. We prepared little presents for her pets too, a ball of fluffy angora wool for her cat, a large marrow bone scrubbed and polished like ivory and tied with a red ribbon for her dog Bruno. I woke on Christmas Day to feel Bruno’s damp nose I was born in India of Irish parents, later lived in South Africa for against my cheek, and the sound of local children singing carols five years, England for two years, and Dublin for many years as they gathered outside The Ark. before coming to Cork, which has been my home for thirty years. That special Christmas we started the day with a glass of Sheila’s home brewed blackberry wine, hot toast One Christmas in Fermoy was a strange time, as there was a dripping with honey, and a warm hug. Another hug, and as her huge storm with high winds, and a tree was blown across the cat purred contentedly, we exchanged presents amidst laughter drive and jammed the main gate so we were trapped. There and excited chatter. At the end of the day we went to bed and so, was no telephone line and a shortage of water as the pump with the logs still cracking in the iron stove, I fell asleep to the was damaged, and no electricity. At least we had a battery for sound of the cat purring in the background, and my patchwork the radio. My husband and I were on our own, as my daughter doll painstakingly made by Sheila Sarah and my granddaughter Fay aged four were staying in clutched in my arm. Cork. We celebrated Christmas with a roast turkey from the Aga, joined by our two loving black Labradors. Another childhood memory of Christmas was when my black cat Jezebel crept into my room and jumped onto my bed. I loved Another Christmas where we now live in Mitchelstown has a these nightly visits from my pet and I pulled back the sheet to much happier memory. My daughter and granddaughter were make a cosy resting place for my furry friend. Soon we were with us, and we enjoyed the special service in our local chapel. dozing contentedly. In the morning, I was surprised to hear soft We live in Kingston College and had our neighbours in for sweet meow sounds. I lifted my arm sleepily and was so mulled wine and mince pies. I have happy childhood memories surprised to see what looked like two wet mice that Jezebel was of hanging a stocking from the bedpost and waking on licking. Then it slowly dawned on me that these were newborn Christmas morning to find it filled with kittens, and Jezebel had just given birth. How exciting- and what lots of exciting gifts. a lovely surprise Christmas present! Christmas in the Early 50s by Liz (Mitchelstown) a cock who often gave me a fine peck in the leg. We had our own potatoes and vegetables, and every November we I grew up on a small farm just a 10 minute walk from killed a pig, but I must admit the neighbours Mitchelstown, also known as ‘the home of good cheese’. got more of the pig than we did. Christmas in our home was magical and very revered. I can remember walking home from school and once I reached the A big clean-up of the house had to be done first. Floors had to be front door, the smell of homemade baking and dinner ready scrubbed, walls painted, and windows cleaned. Once all that was on the table will stay with me forever. I had fantastic parents, done we were ready for Christmas. Remembering we were very my Mam was a fantastic homemaker while Dad young, but we had to do the chores. The first job was to collect worked on the farm. holly, and this was placed on every picture that was hung on the wall. Our Christmas decorations were used from one Christmas Before we had electricity, I can remember the winter evenings to another, so when Christmas was over, they were placed in a when Mam would light the tilly lamp that created a beautiful cardboard box and left in the attic for the next year. These were glow around the parlour, showing off the Sacred Heart picture put on walls, pictures, and of course on the Christmas tree (no and a large framed photo of President Kennedy. The rosary electricity, no lights). was recited every evening, and we dared not talk or smile until the last prayer was said. We had a beautiful crib placed on the parlour window that was made out of timber. We collected straw for around the floor of Christmas wasn’t spoken about until after the 8th December, the crib and moss for the roof to make it look real. That time we the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Once we celebrated had no electricity, so a candle was placed near the crib that that day by going to early Mass and afterwards going home to reflected on the holy statues of Our Lady, St Joseph, and the enjoy a lovely cooked breakfast of sausages, homemade three Wise Men, and not forgetting the sheep, the cow and the black pudding, and fresh eggs provided by the hens- who were donkey who kept the baby Jesus warm. The baby Jesus wasn’t very busy running around the barn, followed by placed in the manger until Christmas morning, and I can remember so well Mam placing baby Jesus there. I used to help Mam with the grocery shopping. She made the Christmas Day arrived- presents opened and everyone happy, Christmas cakes and the Christmas pudding, and this was it was time to go to early Mass. Dinner was simmering on the done the first week in December. We reared our own turkeys, Aga cooker, and the aroma that filled the house will stay with and Mam made sure they were well fattened for our me forever. We had a special tablecloth that only came out on Christmas dinner. Christmas Day, as well as the china cups and saucers, plates and dinner plates, and a beautiful vase of flowers that I was very young when I remembered my mam writing the adorned the table. A sight to behold. After dinner we played Christmas cards. We had an aunt in America, and she was cards for a while, and then played some board games that always first on the list so she would receive the card on time. Santa gave us. Later we all went for a stroll up the road to say There were family members and friends whom I know now hello to the neighbours. that didn’t contact us for years, but yet Mam insisted they get a card. I was always told it’s traditional, so it must be done. To me personally, Christmas in the 50s was so special. We The cards we received were put hanging over the fireplace on were so innocent, we thanked God for what we had and a string. I can remember the string falling down with the enjoyed every moment of it. We had no electricity, no weight of the cards and whoever was near it at the time got television, no mobile phones, no landline phones, no the blame. computers. But one thing for sure, we had great neighbours- we shared what we had, great community spirit, we were Christmas week was a very busy week- remember now, we happy and contented. still had no electricity. I remember Mam killing the turkey and plucking the feathers and drying them all out to make a lovely soft pillow. The turkey with her legs tied together was hung at the back of the door.