Читать книгу The Ivy Entangles - D J Gill - Страница 5

Plate 1:

Anne Gill and Sons (Glasnevin, Dublin 1965)

Back row (L-R) Patrick, Anthony, Dermot

Front row (L-R) Michael, Vincent

Jimmy Jordan (1921-2000)

Jimmy Jordan was born in Portadown in the county of Armagh (Northern Ireland) in 1921.Jimmy was a tall man and had been a boxer (a south paw) when he was in his twenties. He married Eleanor Anne Mc Caffrey in 1959 when he was 39. Anne and Jimmy raised six girls in their homestead at Harcourts Hill, Ballyworkan.

It was a tradition that the working people from Northern Ireland were given holidays in the first two weeks of July. This was and is the “marching season” and is where I come into the picture. Eileen Jordan travelled down to Butlins Mosney (County Louth) (a holiday camp where guests booked in for a week, full board) with family and friends. I met Eileen in the ballroom and asked her up for a dance. I was working in the capacity of a “Red coat” a host and entertainer for guests. Despite the fact that for our first meeting I was technically “on duty” our first encounter developed into a serious relationship. Jimmy was to become my father in law when I married Eileen in 1982.

My relationship with Jimmy was always cordial. He was a quite man but said what was needed to be said. I knew Jimmy for over twenty year’s and I came to respect him for who he was and what he stood for. We were in Australia when he passed away in 2000 and Eileen had to go home for the funeral. Jimmy’s spirit and presence has watched over us and our family in our time in Australia. I learnt a great deal from Jimmy over the years and I relish the fond memories that I have of him.