Alan Skeoch

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  • EPISODE 71 BUNMAHON , IRELAND, ALAN SKEOCH’S JOURNAL MONDAY AGUST 15, 1960 TO

    EPISODE 71  BUNMAHON IRELAND  ALAN SKEOCH’S JOURNAL   MONDAY AUGUST 15, `960 TO AUGUST 23, 1960

    alan skeoch
    June 2020

    IRELAND  THE BEAUTIFUL

    This I think is Mr. Casey proudly posing in front of his cottage (home).  Most of our men had houses like this…centre door, rooms
    on right an left.  Very few were as well manicured as this was.  The income for workers was  $1.40 per day in 1960.

    MONDAY AUGUST 15, 1960

    This is a big holiday in Ireland…the day that the virgin Mary was automatically
    assumed to have entered Heaven.   John and I drove to Tramore and then
    on to Waterford to clean up our repair business.  Got a haircut and then went 
    to the Tramore races in afternoon.  Lost on all my bets that were modest anyway.
    Races…2 shillings entry fee
    Betting…4 shillings
    Golf…4 shillings for two of us
    Meal…2 shillings, sixpence
    Dodge’em cars…1 shilling
    Darts….sixpence
    Beer…3 shillings
    Total cost of  $2 Canadian

    The Tramore races…not my picture but accurate pic  of Irish wagerers…wit kids in arms.  Count the cloth caps.

    People  back in Toronto must be shocked at our lifestyle here in Ireland…if
    they even hear about it.  Normally our work in mining  exploration is seven days
    a week no matter what the weather. A holiday  is the chance to stay asleep in
    a tent where the bugs can’t get us.   So Ireland  must seem like a dream.
    Best not mention the trip to the racetrack on a Sunday.  If you need a  laugh
    just think of  two men playing Dodge’em against 10 year old kids.

    The funniest thing today  was when a drunken woman went into the Men’s
    washroom and stayed there.  The men carried on as if she was  not there.

    TUESDAY  AUGUST 16, 1960

    I had to fire my first man today when Andy Kiely did  not show up for work.
    No explanation.  Sent day setting up  the base line (#3) Managed  to 
    complete 12,000line feet after setting up the motor generator and the rounding
    rods. (* FIRING Andy was a  mistake on my part.  I did not know his
    91 year old father was dying and that Andy was the principal caregiver.
    I  should  have asked.  Makes me feel bad.)

    I put John Fleming in charge of the staking crew. He is our oldest 
    employee and the most highly respected.   All of the men live on
    one  acre lots with small houses.  John Fleming manages to keep
    two or three cattle and other farm animals on his tiny plot.  Gathers
    hay along road  allowance.  i do  not talk to him often but I’ve given him
    the same respect that the men all do  A nice man scraping out an 
    existence in difficult circumstances.  Grows  potatoes  as  well of 
    course.  All the men seem to have gardens. 

    Jo
    John Fleming (left), Barney Dwan (centre)…forgot name of man on right.  I had feeling he disliked me on the job.  It is very
    difficult for gown men to take order from a 21 year old like me.  The bridge is permanent…and inexpensive.


    Willy arrived today with an awful hangover from yesterday’s celebration.
    So hung over he could not keep up with us.

    John Hogan made the front page of the Dublin newspapers…subject
    of our Bonmahon mineral explorations.

    WEDBESDAT AUGUST 17, 1960

    The damn  cattle destroyed about 1,000  feet of our baseline cable
    last night.  We are operating with a skeleton crew since Barney is
    sick.  He does the work of two men.  i depend on him to get me safely
    over the stone field walls tat are topped with gorse (brier). Sound  stupid
    to say this but getting over these small fields with their high brier fences 
    is a tough job.  And Barney has to check in case there is a bull loose
    in next field.  

    A photographer came here from Waterford to take pictures of our
    crew in operation and get an interview.  The lads are quite excited
    about their sudden fame.

    Got a letter from the Scottish Forestry Commission today saying
    that the Skeoch Wood is located on the isle of Bute…not too far
    from Prestwick where my return flight to Canada is booked.  If I
    can swing it I will try to find the Skeoch Wood.

    THURSDAY AUGUST 18, 1960

    Photographers were here again today.  Had a very successful 
    day….due in part to the two new employees I hired to try and
    protect the base line from cattle.  The young boys are really excited
    about the job.  Joyful.  

    Still no money sent from Toronto.  Must meet my payroll somehow.
    John Hotan  phoned ,  He is stuck in Carlow as the Fiat broke down.

    Barney and I worked our way into the old stopes (i.e. places
    where the high grade ore was  found).   West of  Bonmahon

    This was a hair raising experience.  The ladder  we used
    just barely spanned a chasm at one spot.  And  a little 
    further we were separated when a  rock slide pinned Barney
    to the support wall on the edge of a shaft that went straight 
    down to who knows where   Very tense.  But the air was good
    as our candle lit without difficulty.  There must be other adits
    nearby.  Somewhere in these adits, shafts and  passageways
    the IRA hid from the British  Black and  Tans in the 1920’s.
    Hard to imagine living in here.

    Found nest of boby rabbits when we crawled out…missed them
    on the way in.

    FRIDAY  AUGUST 19,1960

    The day looked foreboding but we got to work anyway  and  managed
    to get 11,600 feet doe before the deluge struck.  Finally received a telegram
    from Toronto that money was on the way.

    We had a  nice warm fire in the fireplace.

    The Waterford News and  Star gave us a front page spread with pictures.
    The article quoted  me but that was not what I said that I remember.  The
    whole village is excited as  a result of the story…especially the families  of
    the lads.   I borrowed sixty pounds  from John  in order to make the payroll
    tomorrow.  

    Tommy told me that the caves  we explored yesterday were once the
    hideouts of the IRA back in the 1920’s.  Confirmed what Barney said.

    SATURDAY AUGUST 20, 1960

    Only achieved 4400 feet today but did  manage to tie in the base line.
    While working across the cliffs we encountered two young foxes.
    Then Barney and I visited an  island where the Danes  lived in past
    ages.   The Danish sailors  are reputed to have seen the mineral stains
    on the cliffs at Knockmahon and may have  done some mining.

    Returned to Mrs.  Kennedy’s shed where the men had gathered as
    this  is payday.  Thankfully John Hogan had the cash I could borrow.
    Then John and I drove to Waterford to get the Avometer fixed.
    In the evening we amused ourselves  with a game of twenty questions.
    i.e.  “I spy something that is orange.”  “Is it near me?” “Is it on me?”
    “Is it on the table?” YES.  “Is it the left over package of Wild  Woodbine
    Cigarettes?” YES.  “Now it’s my turn.”  “I spy something that is red.”
    “Is  it the scar left by the tick that we had to cut out?”  YES.

    SUNDAY AUGUST 21,1960

    Typical  Irish soft day.  In other words it rained  all  day. Of course that
    is why the countryside is so  green…lots of water.  Wrote letters
    in morning then did  topographical in afternoon. Then we 
    drove to Waterford  to see ‘A touch of Evil’ which featured  Orson
    Welles.  All in all a  very dark,  dull and depressing day.

    MONDAY AUGUST 22, 1960

    Started  early in morning and worked in spite of heavy rain.
    Managed to only cover 3,000 feet. 
    Called  off the job…pointless as we were all  soaked.



    In the afternoon John Hogan drove me to Tipperary in
    a rented car
    where we saw the famous Cashel Rock.   

    The Rock of Cashel (Irish: Carraig Phádraig), also known as Cashel of the Kings and St. Patrick’s Rock, is a historic site in Ireland’s province of Munster, located at Cashel, County Tipperary. The Rock of Cashel served as the traditional seat of the kings of Munster for several hundred years prior to the Norman invasion. Few remnants if any of the early structures survive; the majority of buildings on the current site date from the 12th and 13th centuries. Cashel is reputed to be the site of the conversion of the King of Munster by St. Patrick in the 5th century AD. The buildings which crown the Rock of Cashel present a mass and outline of great complexity, rivalling for picturesque qualities other sites in western Europe. The complex has a character of its own, unique and native, and is one of the most remarkable collections of Celtic art and medieval architecture to be found anywhere in Europe. 

    According to local lore, the Rock of Cashel originated from Devil’s Bit, a mountain 30 km north of Cashel when St. Patrick banished Satan from a cave, resulting in the Rock’s landing in Cashel. 





    Buildings on the Rock

    The earliest and tallest of the Cashel edifices is the very well preserved round tower (28 metres, or 90 feet), which dates from c.1100. Its entrance is 12 feet from the ground, necessitated by a shallow foundation (about 3 feet) typical of round towers. The tower was built using the dry stone method. Modern conservationists have filled in some of the tower with mortar for safety reasons. 


    Then we toured through central and southeastern 
    counties  to Carlow where John’s Fiat was being repaired.
    Glad  to get back home…long day.  Spent evening planning
    how to wind up and recover Base Line #3 and  begin
    layout of Base  Line #4.

    TUESDAY  AUGUST 23, 1960

    What a great day.  We worked hard and managed to cover 
    15,000 feet of line…i.e. 3 miles.

    Tommy brought over a skin book…i.e. book with sexy  pictures.  Censors
    do not allow such books in Ireland so they are highly valued.

    John Hogan is very easy to  get along with…in other words  he does not
    seem  like he is scrutinizing everything I do.   He is Irish and  tries to
    get as much  touring in  as possible.  Often he wants company such as our
    visit to Cashel Rock which was  wonderful.  Built of stone.  Towers had
    entrances that were very high off the ground so that Monks and people
    could barricade themselves  in event of attack.  Inside the towers must 
    have been claustrophobic … extremely so.  The towers must have
    been built overtop a source of water otherwise the protection provided by
    the tower would  be pointless.

    We had  the usual beer and dart game before supper then
    spent evening planning  tomoorow’s work day.  Mrs. Kennedy
    came up to say  I had  been quoted in the London Daily Mirror
    about the Postman mystery.  Then she told us the full story
    of the Postman.

    Larry Griffin was a popular postman who just disappeared into thin air on December 25, 1929.   He was last seen
    at the local pub in Stradbally…not farm from Bunmahon.  He was thought to have been murdered…then again
    he may have died from a fight…or from falling down stairs at the local  police station.   His  disappearance is still
    a  matter of heated controversy to this (2020).   There are people in Stradbally who know what happened but
    they do not want to talk about Larry Griffin.

    WhenI was in Bunmahon the postman mystery was guaranteed  to trigger arguments.  That is still the case.
    A reporter visited the Stradbally pub in1986  intending to make a movie about the case of Larry Griffin.
    To start a conversation he said to a  local Stradbally citizen.

      ‘Was it upstairs or downstairs that it happened?”

    The response was quick

    “I think it might be a good idea if you fuck  off out of here.”

    So the mystery remains.   The mystery is not too difficult to solve think most people.  Larry Griffin was drinking in the Sradbally pub on Christmas Day.  He got into a
    fight with someone and got knocked down.  The local  police hauled him over to the police station where for one reason  or
    another he died.  The problem was that Larry Griffin was drinking on Christmas Day  If the publican was caught serving beer on that day he would lose his 
    licence and Stradablly would lose its pub. Worse still, the local police were part of the cover up and they would be charged.  Someone or some group
    in Stradbally thought it best that Larry Griffin disappear otherwise they would lose both their pub and their police station.  Larry’s body has
    never been found.   Sadly, Larry’s wife became instantly poverty stricken.  No body, no pension.

    That is my interpretation of the evidence.  I would advise you say nothing if having a pint of Guinness in Stradbally. 
    Ignore my advice and you will be told to ‘Get the fuck out of here’

    When Mrs.  Kennedy told me the story she left out the word  ‘fuck’ but that was in 1960 when 
    the word was not used quite as much.  Mrs. Kennedy  was  taking a big chance just telling
    me her interpretation of the mysterious disappearance of Larry Griffin.  

    Below is the Stradbaly pub as you will find it today.


     

    End episode 71


  • A ride down the fifth line in June 2020…NO BIG DEAL…JUST RELAXING


    NO BIG DEAL…JUST RELAXING SERIES AS  MARJORIE DROVE…CLOUDS (THINK OF THE SONG )

    BY JONI MITCHEL

    alan skeoch
    June 2020

    Take a  load off … sit down … dream … It is  possible even in
    the terror of Covid 19 to see that life is  good.


    Joni Mitchell – Both Sides, Now Lyrics

    from album: Clouds (1969) 
    www.lyricsfreak.com/static/images/txtstripes_large.gif); font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; min-height: 598px; position: relative;”>Bows and flows of angel hair
    And ice cream castles in the air
    And feather canyons everywhere
    I’ve looked at clouds that way

    But now they only block the sun
    They rain and snow on everyone
    So many things I would have done
    But clouds got in my way

    I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now
    From up and down, and still somehow
    It’s cloud illusions I recall
    I really don’t know clouds at all

    Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
    The dizzy dancing way you feel
    As every fairy tale comes real
    I’ve looked at love that way

    But now it’s just another show
    You leave ’em laughing when you go
    And if you care, don’t let them know
    Don’t give yourself away

    I’ve looked at love from both sides now
    From give and take, and still somehow
    It’s love’s illusions I recall
    I really don’t know love at all

    Tears and fears and feeling proud
    To say “I love you” right out loud
    Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
    I’ve looked at life that way

    Oh but now old friends are acting strange
    They shake their heads, they say I’ve changed
    Well something’s lost but something’s gained
    In living every day

    I’ve looked at life from both sides now
    From WIN and LOSE and still somehow
    It’s life’s illusions I recall
    I really don’t know life at all

    I’ve looked at life from both sides now
    From up and down and still somehow
    It’s life’s illusions I recall
    I really don’t know life at all 




  • EPISODE 70 BUNMAHON IRELAND ALAN SKEOCH’S JOURNAL AUgust 8,1960 to sunday august 14, 1960



    EPISODE 70   BUNMAHON  IRELAND    ALAN SKEOCH’S JOURNAL  AUGUST 8 TO AUGUST 

    alan skeoch
    June 2020

    “A GERMAN BOMBER CRASHED HERE, THE PILOT CAME BACK FOR A HOLIDAY  THIS SUMMER.”

    I have a lot of trouble with Irish  stories.  Are they true?  Are they false?  Are they half true?
    Are they meant to entertain?  Are they meant to test gullibility?  Are they told to mislead?
    Are they told just for something to say?  Are they legends from the deep past that no one
    really knows what they mean?  Are they spliced  together to make a boring story better?

    As you may have noticed if you actually read some of my Irish  stories
    they are often based on fact.  Like the story of the cow that got lost in the
    mine…a story which turned out to be true.

    The lads told me a story about a German bomber that crashed  near Bunmahon and
    the crew survived.  Did it crash in the bog we surveyed?  Maybe.  How could I find
    out?   One way was to check on German planes  that ditched or landed in Ireland
    which was neutral  in World War II.  Well a German bomber was  shot down over Waterford 
    and tried to land but hit a  stone wall near Kilmacthomas killing all the crew. 
    Maybe that was the one the boys  were talking about.

    And not so  far away another German bomber made a solid landing and the
    crew survived.   

    German and Allied planes that landed or crashed in Ireland are numerous and
    all seem to have been recorded.  So many that I am  too tired to continue 
    trying to find  if the story of a German plane landing on Bunmahon beach is
    true or false.  I can find  no record of it.  And the beach  is not very long.

    “Master Skeoch, a  German bomber landed in a farmers field near here and
    the pilot and  his  family  came back this summer on a holiday.”  That may
    have happened.  I did not see any German wreckage.  If you have the time
    please feel free to go through the records of crashes  in World War II…they are all
    documented.

    Date:  10th June 1941

    Location:  Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford

    Aircraft Type:  Fighter

    Crew Members:  (1)

                Pilot Officer Maurice Motte

    Notes: Pilot Officer Motte was part of a Free French Unit operation out of England. He had been involved in an attack on a German Bomber in the sky over Ireland. The German Aircraft a Heinkel Bomber with a crew of five tried to make an emergency landing near Churchtown, Co. Waterford, but burst into flames after hitting a stone wall, killing all crew members.  Officer Mott aircraft was also damaged in the skirmish and had to make an emergency landing not too far from Kilmacthomas Co. Waterford. 

     


    Date:  1st April 1941

    Location:  Dunbratten Head, Co Waterford.

    Aircraft Type:  Heinkel 111 Bomber

    Crew Members:  (5)

                Leutnant Heinz Grau (Pilot)
                Feldwebel Georg Fleischmann 
                Oberfeldwebel  Ernst Lorra
                Unteroffizier Otto Jaegerr      
                Unteroffizier Ernst Gensen  

    Notes:  The Heinkel Bomber had been shot up in an attack on some ships in the Bristol Channel. An engine had been knocked out and there was no question of their being able to return back to their base in Tours, France, so decided to make for Ireland. After landing successfully they quickly se

    Belligerent aircraft would end up on Irish soil for one of two reasons:

    1.    The allied pilots would land, mistaking Eire for Britain. This was quite common considering that aircraft navigation systems then were very basic compared to today’s standards.

    2.    Aircraft would either be damaged during battle or run low on fuel, forcing the pilots to crash or emergency land. In the case of allied pilots they sometimes could not make it to Britain or Northern Ireland. Luftwaffe pilots would land in Eire in preference interment in Britain. 

    When a warplane was forced to land in Eire, the crew would destroy all documents, maps and as much of the aircraft as possible, before they were captured. Allied pilots, on realizing where they had landed would attempt to travel to the North of Ireland, although not usually with much success.

    Escape from K-Lines for German internees would prove undesirable, as France was the nearest axis occupied country to Ireland and travelling there, especially via England would prove very difficult. On the other hand, if British internees succeeded in escaping they would only have to travel little over one hundred miles in order to cross the boarder into Northern Ireland. However, the practice of breaking parole in an attempted to return home was condoned by the respective governments as it was seen as an abuse of privilege. Each internee had a duty to affect his escape but this would have to be done legitimately in the form of a break out from the camp. It was also the duty of the military guard in K-lines, to the escape or rescue of the internees. The guards were armed with rifles but ordered not to fire at internees who attempted escape. Even if an internee successfully effected escape from the compound, the Curragh Camp and surrounding towns were populated with off duty troops stationed in the Curragh. It was not long before Irish authorities had a good intelligence network known as G2, to counter escape attempts. Yet many pro British people were willing to aid the allied internees and an organization known as the “Escape Club” was formed. It was headed by Dr. Hugh Wilson who was a veteran of the First World War and established by M19, British Military Intelligence. The “Escape Club” would organize and aid many British internees to attempt escape during the war. 


    alan skeoch
    June 2020


    Ireland has lots of wild land…places where nothing can grow but heather.


    the mountains  are treeless but not empty…lots of low heather and lots of sheep although this picture shows only one.


    This picture was taken on same mountain five years later when Marjorie (by them my wife), Eric (my brother) joined me
    in a nostalgic Visit to Bonmahon.   Eric is pretending tp push Marjorie into the water.  

    The local pipe band marched through town heading towards  some
    special celebration.  Went to pub of course. Discovered  the newspaper
    has  madde our outdoor crew into celebrities…pictures.   The lads like
    the notoriety as they do  not get much in their regular lives. 

    John and  I then visited the seventh annual Bonmahon dance and  had a wonderful 
    time.   Met the local belle of the dance, Ren … Nice person
    to talk to but no romance.  Marjorie would  like her.

    MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 1960

    Really tired today as  we did too much on week end.  Took  out the resistivity 
    outfit and spent entire day puzzling out its operation.  Just will not work.  is
    this my fault…i.e. ignorance?  Hate to let our company down but this machine
    just wil not perform. 

    This could be our last day of work.  Fellows spent day kidding me about 
    the day before…

    Got nice letter from Marjorie with a picture. Also letter from Bob and Anita
    Taylor wnich was a  surprise.   They are now married and less inclined
    to socialize…seems marriage puts up a kind of wall.  

    The evening was magnificent with bright sunlight bouncing light off the
    rain covered leaves and verdure…Rainbow over the Atlantic Ocean.

    TUESDAY , AUGUST 9, 1960

    Tested resistivity agan.  Then began reclaiming our base line cable…badly
    beaten up by cattle.   

    Sadly I had to lay the crew off at noon.  We all felt bad about it.  Pile of
    mail and exam results…some good , some not so good…but all on positive
    side of things.  In the afternoon I drove to Waterford  with John Hogan to
    get more 35mm film and  phoned Toronto to see if project was about
    to be extended.  Affirmed extension.  (phone call $47.60)  This means  I will
    be here another month or so.   The lads are happy.  Fantastic  sunset
    …all the clouds were blood red.


    END EPISODE 69   



    WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1960

    Spent the day doing the calculations and then drafting results.  Pleased
    with myself as I was not clear about the job…puzzled it out.
    Huntec may have assumed I  know more that I do know.  Studying
    manuals and previous notes helped  

    Beautiful sunlit day.  Reminded  me so much of John Wayne’s film
    The Quiet Man.   So similar to film here in Bunmahon.  our job would
    make a great sequel as all the elements are present including the 
    humorous rather than hate filled relations between the Anglicans 
    and Catholics.  

    We drove to Tramore in the evening to see ‘ Some Came Running’
    … played golf first though…using word golf sounds more athletic than 
    the truth that we played miniature golf.  Little kids play the game better’
    than we seem to do.  Lots  of little kids. The movie was sensational.





    THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 1960

    I spent most of the day  drafting Turam results then I got the lads organized for
    work tomorrow.  All happy we have got job extension.  We have made the 
    Bonmahon community come to life. 

    Nice to walk along the cliffs in the evening before sunset.  Lads  told me all 
    about Willy O’Meara and his immorality.  No woman, married or single,
    is  safe if alone and Willy is nearby.  Does not change my opinioon of
    him for he has helped me a lot.  Always  willing.   Do notice the lads
    treat him differently though.  Seems more  of the gossip is being shared
    with me.  I suppose that is a sing of acceptance.

    FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 1960



    A  Tinker (Gypsy) caravan invaded town today making locals  a
    little anxious especially  when one wagon broke an axle and
    whole caravan  had to stay a while.  Their horses follow the wagons
    without halters or harness.  Quite a  sight to see.

    The profiles are nearly finished.  Not bad  job. 

    Took a walk along cliffs with John Hogan and Barney Dwan…lots of women 
    and girls walking as well.

    A strange thing happened  later when Mrs. Kenneday wanted to ‘
    talk to me privately.  Concerned  local  scandals.  Rena’s “family is
    renowned  as  thieves.”  In other words be careful.  “Barney is illegitimate
    …his mother was 16 years old”   I take it this was some kind of
    warning.   Revealed nature of the Bonmahon community that I
    did not know.  She was giving me advice.  I am  not sure I wanted
    this kind of advice.  Sort of a warning that things are not what they seem.
    A warning that I should keep things more at arms length. Must think
    about that.  Mrs.  Kennedy  might be well intentioned.

    SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 1960

    Sent lads  out to work on new lines while I began listen the anomalies
    on an overlay.   Got a drive out to where some of the lads were digging a
    trench   22 feet down to bedrock just in case the seam of chalcopyrite 
    reached  he surface.  Walked  home.



    Got telegram from Toronto concerning the project extension.  










    In the afternoon Barney, Billy and I went fishing using a small boat.
    We caught lots of mackerel.  Easy.  Just drop in the line with hooks
    spaced along it and then haul in the Makerel.  A huge basking shark
    swam under our boat…looks like a whale to me.  Baksing sharks  are
    not dangerous Barney assured  me   Not so sure…it was bigger than
    our boat.

    Then we explored two more old mine adits  as deep as we could go.

    A  seal followed  us some distance.  The sea  is  not nearly as  nice
    as our freshwater lakes in  Canada in my opinion but the adventure
    was exciting.  Flattering that Barney included me in the fishing trip.

    At night we went to Buckley’s pub, across the road from Kirwin’s 
    pub…we played table top football again.   My social life is  tending
    to eclipse the business  life.

    SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 1960

    Rain  again…another ‘soft’ day using Irish parlance.  Spent morning trying to
    interpret my results…assured John Hogan this was not professional  opinion.
    Then did more expense accounts … i.e. wages  to the lads.  Late in the afternoon
    John and I drove to see a movie in Waterford.   Sillhy waste of 25 cents..cost of show.

  • EPISODE 69 BUNMAHON IRELAND ALAN SKEOCH’S JOURNAL WEDNESDAY AUGUST 3 TO AUGUST 7, 1960

    EPISODE  69   BUNMAHON IRELAND 


    ALAN SKEOCH’S JOURNAL  1960  AUGUST 3, 1960 TO AUGUST 7, 1960


    Part of our crew.  John Hogan on the left…Dr. John Stam on the right.  Tommy, second right,  Barney, fourth right, Andy, fifth right.
    The staking crew is not in the picture nor are the men and boys that guarded the base line.


    Farmer Casey wanted payment for the damage done to his barley crop by our crew. He was very angry and very drunk when 
    he confronted  me for the second time..I have forgotten how
    he was reimbursed.   Perhaps  paid by John Hogan.  Other farmers were equally irate..


    This very pretty hedgerow is made of Gorse…thousands of thorns that cut the flesh  when given a chance. We had to get through
    these thorn fences dozens of times a day.  We never knew where the blood sucking ticks hid while waiting for a warm blooded
    creature but i suspect many were here.

    alan skeoch
    June 2020

    WEDNESDAY AUGUST 3, 1960

    Finished expense account before breakfast.   Then had very successful
    day in the field…18,000 feet which kept the lads  moving.  Passed two
    dead  steers (cows?) in advanced state of decay.  The smell was terrible…
    suffocating.

    In evening John Hogan  and I went down to Kirwin’s for a game of
    darts and a Guinness

    All evening I worked  with our completed  lines…plotting results.  Then planned 
    tomorrow’s adventures.  I expect to finish the Turam this week if
    the weather and the cattle behave.

    THRUSDAY  AUGUJST 4, 1960

    This cut in the fields  led down to the cliff face and then down to the sea.   It was in such steep place that an Irish family
    raised nine kids while living in a cave.  Believe it?  Maybe.  Sometimes i did not know what was fact and what was fiction.

    Spent very full day finishing the base line near the ocean…12,000 feet finished
    which  leaves  3,000 feet for tomorrow.  I  will have to close up tis Saturday
    unless there is to be an extension.

    Saw ruins of a house  half way down a cliff … not really a house.  It is a cave
    where an Irish family lived and raised nine children.   Don’t know how they did it.
    Barney and I explored the “seven  drifts” …a mine shaft that goes in from the
    ocean.   Two great chasms within … including much  loose rock  at a 45 degree
    angle…we got part way across the loose rock and the whole face began to
    tumble.  We froze.  Then carefully retreated. A dog howled  all the time
    we were in the drift.  Was the doge  worried about us?  When we came out
    the moon was glowing in an empty sky.  I wonder if that is why the mackerel
    are jumping tonight.

    FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 1960

    Rose early and wrote my weekly report to the Toronto office.  Then planned
    a full day of  work with Turam, Resistivity, Ronka.  The Turam was soon 
    finished (5,300 feet).  The resistivity unit was  a disappointment as the motor
    will not start.  Then the Ronka was a failure as well.  I decided to let the boys
    have a half day holiday with pay  of course.  A very sad day as the lads now  know
    the job may come to an end soon. Barney was  close to tears.  Johnny, always
    the leader and  senior person, accepted things  passively.  No one was glad
    and that includes me.  

    The Bally Inn: Ballyaneen, Ireland:  IN this tiny 2 roomed pub gathered a  huge crowd  for a night of music and  dance.  Lots of beer as well.  The music was terrific but
    the lyrics of the songs were even better.  Nostalgic music designed to make a grown adult weep.  Absolutely wonderful.  

    I took the engine to Ballyaneen in the evening. Then  John and I went to Tramore
    and  drove the Dodgems.  then tried the rifle range shooting corks, then 
    played  the slot machines…had  a beer, played golf and  then went to a dance.
    Bet the boys back in Toronto will not believe this.  Part of my job description as 
    told by Dr. Paterson: “Make sure you get along with John Hogan…he is the rep of our client.”

    SATURDAY AUGUST 6, 1960

    Had trouble  getting out of bed this morning…too much done yesterday..
    Did manage to get the lads and the resistivity unit on the job but the
    cattle played havoc with the spread wire.  Got some mail from Marjorie
    today.  

    John Hogan and  I drove to Waterford where I bought a bottle of
    Hennesey’s Cognac for the folks back  home.  I do  not even know
    what Cognac  is…nor did I know it was French…thought iii was Irish.
    Then we went to the afternoon show  “They Came to Cordura”…disappointing
    Somehow I managed to spend 97 pounds this week…270 dollars.
    I like being in charge…feel confident I know what i am doing.
    Getting job done.

    Payday…cash based on rate of one pound per day…about $1.40 Canadian per day.  Toronto wondered why we needed  so  many men
    but we did.  Everything had to be guarded  from the cattle and other nibbling creatures. I needed help getting over the Irish thorn bush fences
    and  to try and avoid long grass where the little ticks were waiting to suck our blood.  Each man got a bonus of cigarettes  and chocolate bars.
    Extravagent.

       
    My payday arrangement occurs weekly.  the men line up beside the
    little shack…a  kind  of  office…I get cash from Mrs. Kennedy and pay
    her…then pay the men at rough rate of 1 pound per day ($1.40) which
    seems awfully cheap  but that is he going rate in Ireland.  I also give each
    man a pack  of cigarettes (10 to  pack, Wild  Woodbine) and  a chocolate 
    bar.  Seems sort of silly but I  do  it anyhow.


    SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 1960

    Woke up to heavy rain on my window…so will have to postpone our
    planned trip to the mountain north of us.    Spent morning writting.
    Then sky  cleared  so John Hogan and i drove to the mountain
    and  had a  grand time stalking mountain sheep and enjoying the
    grandeur of  the heather covered  barren land.  Stopped for a look
    at a peat bog which was being harvested as blocks of peat for fireplaces.

    END   EPISODE 69  BUNMAHON IRELAND JOURNAL OF ALAN SKEOCH             TO AUGUST 7, 1960

  • EPISODE 68 BUNMAHON IRELAND ALAN SKEOCH’S JOURNAL July 23, 1960 TO AUGUST 2M 1960

    …HERE IS THE JOURNAL CONTINUED
    NOT A LONG PIECE THIS TIME…KEEPS ME GOING
    TO GET A STORY DONE EVERY DAY BUT SO FAR
    I HAVE MANAGED TO DO IT.  THIS IS MY GIFT TO
    EVERYONE SUFFERING FROM COVID 19 ISOLATION
    JUNE. 2020


    EPISODE 68  BUNMAHON,  IRELAND    JULY 23,  1960  TO AUGUST 2, 1960


    ALAN SKEOCH’S JOURNAL


    If you look closely you will see a fairy ring…an old  enclosure , maybe a village as old as 2,000 years.   I did not see any fairies.


    alan skeoch
    June   2020

    SATURDAY JULY 23, 1960

    Raining heavily…John Hogan sent word he would stay in bed.  Wish I had that
    luxury.   Worked  in pouring rain all morning, soaked…the boys are a bit
    perturbed.   We only managed to get one moraine done in the Killmacthomas forest.
    returned  home for  lunch and got lots of mail.  My slides are good …35mm.
    Eric sent nice letter about trip to Manitoulin Island .  Marjorie always  nice to hear
    from.  Don Van Every who I worked with in Alaska last summer is now working
    at secret radar sites in Arctic for far north.

    In the afternoon, Barney, Andy and I entered entered the Knockmahon mine via
    an old adit on the face of the cliffs…we spent several  hours in old tunnels…could
    not stand up but had to crawl on stomachs in places.  In other tunnels we were
    waist deep in water.   We had  to jump over a  shaft…or use old  ladder to crossit. 
    Walls are covered with beautiful blues and greens…some pink.




    SUNDAY  JULY 24, 1960

    Skipped Mass today.  Then had to play pinochle for another few hours…boring.
    Then in afternoon John Hogan drove us to Tramore to see movie with Stirling Hayden…
    there were 3 adults and 100 kids there  (estimate) in the ‘pit’ which was cordoned off
    for them.Then played  miniature golf and had a great fish and chip  supper. 
    Visited a pub where bar maid seemed quite interested in me.  then back  home
    to more pinochle…damn.

    MONDAY, JULY 25, 1960

    Finished the long lines in the Kill forest and then entered the big bog.
    The boys cut line as I followed with the Turam.  paid Mrs. Kennedy for the
    rent of their vans…10 shillings = $1.40 more than reasonable.   Spent 
    evening working on the instrument.  Then pinochle.

    TUESDAY, JULY 26, 1960

    We got a good early start and  managed to cover 18,000 feet of line.  Bitten and
    scratched. 

    We  passed over a  spot where a German bomber came down in World  War II and
    all  escaped  alive.   Barney told me some of the crew visited Bonmahon recently.
    Returned home to get mail from Alaska, Florida, Lake Louise and Toronto.  Marjorie
    seems in a quandary about next year which is  disturbing.  

    The boys  took me down to the pub for a Guinness.  Then one of the farmers
    came in raising hell about his barley field which  we had trampled.

    Letters from Jim Romaniuk and Mom.

    WEDNESDAY  JULY 27, 1960

    Rose at 6 a.m.  Pouring ran outside…a soft day in other words.  No chance
    of taking day  off.  The boys are grumbling about conditions.  By noon we
    were all thorooughly drenched so cancelled afternoon.

    The boys  did not like working in the pouring rain.  I was used to doing that in Canada.

    The staking crew revolted  when they saw I was gone and they also went home…
    can’t blame them really.   In the afternoon John and I drove to Waterford to fix 
    his car…Fiat.  I bought mom a  sweater … most expensive I could find at 61 shillings.

    In the evening I tried to save as much cable as possible from the cattle.

    Got word that job may end  in mid August.

    THURSDAY   JULY 28, 1960

     rain again…Steady drizzle all day…but must work…boys grumbling as  rain soaked us.
    Managed cover 10,000 feet of line even after the cattle had destroyed a large
    section of your base line that had to be repaired first.  We are working in an
    Irish  bog…kind they get peat from…ancient ..huge area.   Willy went up to
    his waist in bog water on one occasion.  Nasty place.

    FRIDAY JULY 29, 1960

    Rose at 6 am and wrote for an hour or so.  Began my expense account.  Then
    took the lads  out and finished the northern section.   Then we wound up the
    base line cable which disappointed Tiny Tim who had to break up his camp
    at the grounding rods.   Tim was hit on the head with a sickle … split his
    head…made him limited in ability.   Nice kid but so shy he could not look
    at me or talk.  Unsure if he can  speak.  Loves job though.  Moved  his
    tend into new forested location.  

    Had lunch overlooking the sea.  John Stam leaves  This Monday for
    Amsterdam  which mean  I will be in charge.   So we went to Kirwin’s
    and celebrated sort of with with Guinness as usual. All in good spirits.

    SATURDAY JULY 30, 1960

    Arose at 6 a.m. and began working at expense account again. Then  John
    Stam  and I had a private discussion about the project.  By nine I was
    on the job and covered a  fair bit of ground  by 1 p.m.

    A bull nearly did  me in from behind but I heard him roar and was
    able to dodge his charge.    The boys thought this was a safe field.
    No damage but must be careful.  Once I am  harnessed  there is
    no chance of  running.  Wonderfujldayh for working.   In  late afternoon
    Barney and I visited  an  old adit that had been closed  for the past 50  years
    or more.  Mystery legend  told to me by Barney. “Farmer lost a cow
    up this  boreen…an old adit.  The cow went in and  could not get out.
    died there.  Hidden under that patch of Gorse.   We hired a  man
    to clear the spot just incase the legend was true.  We had high readings
    over the spot.  Pressure of walled up water caused a minor
    explosion of ancient mine water.  Man we hired fled. We let it drain
    and  then walked in….yes,walkedin…and there about 60to 70 feet
    inside was the skeleton of the cow.  We all shook Barney’s hand.

    Cattle are curious  just like people….also omiverous just like  people

    SUNDAY  JULY 31,  1960

    Awoke at crack of dawn.  Writing.  Skipped church  much to the dismay
    of  Bridey, Mrs.  Kennedy  and the boys.  I think I heard  the word Pagan
    used in jest.  In the afternoon we drove to Tramore for miniature golf Then
    to the pub to celebrates  John’s golfing victory before he left for Amsterdam.
    We had  another lousy  greasy fish and chip meal in Tramore.

    Another game of pinochle beside the fireplace. 

    Tomorrow I will be in charge of the project.  Flattered to be trusted.
    Big shoulders.  

    MONDAY  AUGUST 1, 1960

    Dr. John Stam…off to Amsterdam

    Saw John Stam off to Amsterdam.  Braidy cried…hated to see him go.
    Got good  start on the job…mended a number of cable breaks.  Everything
    seemed to be going well until noon when we were stopped dead by
    five farmers who refused to let us on their land.   Tense situation.
    Lasted for two hours.  Stand off ended when they realized I was
    willing to pay damages.  Farmers…O;Sullivan brothers,  Casey, Welsh,
    Fling, Magnar.   Managed  to get some work done in the fields.
    Then at night I  started to do  the calculations and plotting.

    Farmer Casey came around  drunk and demanding money.

    Would YOU expect to be paid if a  mining company came and dug up your farm?  Of  course you would

    TUESDAY, AGUSUT 2, 1960

    Spent very busy day…10,800 feet of line…had four cable breaks
    ….cattle…no end  to it…they eat cable everything day then regurgitate
    balls of copper wire and plastic.   Little wonder the farmers are upset.
    Must plan a way to pay them same amount … big mistake if one farmer
    gets more than others.

    Washed  and shaved quickly then John  Hogan drove me to Killmacthomas
    to see a travelling circus…the John Duffy circus…We sat in the 6 shilling
    special reserve  seats.  I felt more like a  spectacle than the circus performers
    as people in the unreserved seats stared at us  a lot. The circus was
    great….clowns, jugglers, a grizzly bear, horses and  lots of girls.

    Below are two pictures of Tom Duffy’s circus…John Duffy might have been  a relative.


    www.dochara.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/duffy-340×230.jpg 340w, www.dochara.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/duffy.jpg 1181w” sizes=”(max-width: 691px) 100vw, 691px”>


    END EPISODE 68