They go hand in hand,right?

The Grove on a Saturday night,St. Annes on a Sunday, (maybe St.Annes on a Saturday night,too-with a flagon before the Grove) or maybe you would meet someone on Saturday night and arrange to go for a walk on Sunday.

The park is certainly worthy of a mention,a part of (most of us) our growing up,too.

Arthur Guinness (who was a miller before he was a brewer) bought lands in Clontarf known as Heronstown and Blackbush when his famous stout took off. He was very fond of the area,so much so he decided to use Brian (patriot of the Battle of Clontarf) Boru's harp as his logo.

He married Olive White (from Muckross House in Kerry) and they lived in Thornhill,the large house which once stood at the top of Mansion Avenue,now demolished but some blocks from the house still lay scattered around the park. Arthurs son,Benjamin Lee Guinness and his wife Elizabeth decided to name the estate St. Annes (St. Anne was the mother of Mary) after an ancient holy well near one of the ponds. 

The amenities in the park all have names,even though we know them by something else.

The Old Pond is in fact called Crab Lake Water,the Tower Bridge beside the new pond is called Annies Bridge (after Benjamines first born),the new pond itself is actually called The Sunken Garden, and St. Annes' river is called the Nanniken.The Grove itself (or St. Pauls) was originally known as Sybill Hill,and was sold to Arthur Guinness in 1870.

Lands purchased by the Guinness family,which much later were sold to Dublin Corporation for housing,offer their names to the streets there. For example,All Saints Road is named after the church Olive had built in the grounds,Nanniken Avenue after St. Annes' river.Wades Avenue,after Sarah Wade sold her land to the Guinness family.

Maryville Road,after the townland of Maryville,bought by Arthur Guinness in 1878,and Vernon Avenue,after Lord John Venables Vernon sold the original Thornhill site to Arthur Guinness.

Ok-history lesson over...who will lift the mood with their stories of St. Annes?

Ballyhoy Ave here! Grew up in St. Anne’s estate as did Kay and Polly! We certainly had our life in the park - kiss chasing the lot.  What a way to grow up.  The Tennis courts in the summer and then pitch and put.  I loved the park dearly and it’s so much part of my life when I go home.  A trip home is not complete without a trip to the park.  In the summer we would go down there all day long.  As we got older it was the beach and the park at night.  We played soccer for years there and rounders. ahhhhhhhh St. Anne’s I love you....  My first heart throb was from the grove and yes many days were spent with him down the park and the victims thereafter, but the first person I lay in the grass with near the old pond was a nice french lad.  Laurent Delipene.......ahhhhhhhhhhhhh

Lovely story T.

Must say I love the Park too.( Great Thread Martin, good on ya.)

From the summer evenings when all the lads would play football just in front of the mound where the house used be, to the sunday afternoons when meself and herself would take the obligatory post Grove stroll.....................doesn't get any better.

Nowadays I'm so lucky, still live close enough to be a regular visitor, small fella plays all his home games on pitch nine.

Have wonderful memories of St. Annes.

Just thinking, we all must have passed each other loads of times without knowing it.

The larks were great. I remember one particular good lark where Dave Fanning compered. (Met you at that one,Mel)

You couldn't top Sunday afternoons in the summer.The walk up manion avenue,kicking a ball or throwing a frisbee in front of the mound with the gang.The guys would bare their chests and the girls would sit and make daisy chains.

Did you know there was (still is) a tunnel runnng underground from the present Howth Road to Clontarf,under the avenue.On December 24th,1943 the then unoccupied house burst into flames and gutted Thornhill. No one seems to know how or why. What is known is that gun running went on in the tunnel,by (then) Sinn Fein supporters,and possibly members so there was possibly a parimilitary agenda to the fire as the empty house was used as a munitions store.

The only survivng piece from the house was a sculpture of a recling marble figure callrd the Shepherd Boy,which was bought by a Dublin solicitor,John Burke for £28. It is now kept at Iveagh House.

Funny thing is,when we'd go knacker drinking in the park,I don't think I ever drank Guinness...

Do any of you remember Manresa House in Clontarf; gosh I had the greatest memories of that.  Each summer they had a big festival there and we were always brought.  I hope I have the spelling correct.

I could not agree more that local history would have been fantastic to learn.  Our communities were steeped in history and the interest would have been fantastic.  Of course growing up beside the park we knew of the tunnels alright.  Some of the lads used to venture into them and bring out gas masks and the likes.  I believe there is one near the clock tower.  They filled them in some years ago due to the danger.  My brothers and sisters remember well the day they took the mansion down and I clearly remember playing on the huge marble stones from the mansion that were put in the green railing in St. Anne’s.

Some years later they built all kinds of wooden play objects.  I remember a maze that was built over behind the band stand.  Do you remember the old hippy garden behind the mound?  When I think of the dangers that face the kids today and then think back to how we played for hours and hours in around the hippy garden all through the deep woods there.  I remember a few of the gang getting into the tower that is on the hill in front of the old pond.

I am the youngest of eight and I remember being brought to the park with my sisters I must have only been around 4 or 5.  They would join all their gang on the mansion road and lay on the grass beside the mound just like we did years later.  I can remember their long hair and their bell bottoms.  My brothers used to take me for walks early on a Saturday morning to see the wild life – fantastic memories I must say.

RoundaboutToo! wrote: Teresa, the Hippy garden must've been the old Walled garden - used to be very overgrown.

When I was small I was brought down to 'The Gardens' as my sister would call it. Early seventies. There would be lots of 'beautiful people' (man) just hanging out,smoking stuff (although I didn't know it at the time) and someone would have one of those top loading portable cassette players,playing T-Rex or something.

I believe it was originally called the Italian Garden by the Ardilauns (Lord and Lady Guinness) but Olive Guinness also had a pet cemetry in the estate and some research I managed (as I was gung ho to write a book on the park's history some time ago) showed it was on that site. These 'hippie dudes' probably all had rituals at midnight on the graves!!!

I'm sure I had pictures of the park in it's youth...

Found some. These are photocopies so not brilliant quality I'm afraid.

This is the boat house,or 'Tea House',probably 1890's,modelled on an Italian model Annie Lee had as a toy.The lake was formed by damming the river and channeling it into the excavated site.The upturned earth was used to form islands,which you could walk onto when the pond was frozen over.(Did that once!)

This is Thornhill,the Guiness family home,as it stood in the 1870's,at the very top of Mansion Avenue. (the 'mound').

Some different views of Thornhill,after Arthurs son,Benjamin made some extenions...

Those pictures are fantastic! I had a long chat with a guy a while ago out on the Irish Emigrant about the park and he was trying to find some info on it - Floydman (Martin) if you have a link I would appreciate it so much.

I can give you a bit of info from a very young Childs standpoint! We used to walk the length of the river in our bare feet from the tennis court all the way up to the Howth Road! Oh yuck.  We once built a dam in the river at the back of the tennis courts and captured a bunch of water and the lads would swim in it! Again Yuck!  We had our favorite trees we would climb and our hideout at the back of the tennis courts along the river where first kisses took place. Finding a good tree where you could get a swing going and that would take up weeks of pleasure.

I remember when they put in the soccer pitches beside the river, and running through the hills of dirt there before it was all leveled out for pitches.

Our sports day would be held in the field just beside the mansion road.  I remember walking across the fields one day with a giant Australian cigarette in my mouth feeling so cool with my friends only to spot my Mother in the distance.  I nearly ate it! She beat me in syllables all the way home.  Then made me apologies to my uncle for robbing his cigarettes off the mantle!

Robbing the daffodils to give to your Mother for Mother’s Day!

Oh Gosh Floydman you have brought so many memories back to me with this topic, you can tell now it was my home away from home! 

http://www.fortunecity.co.uk/safaripark/eagles/16/stannes/stannes.htm - http://www.fortunecity.co.uk/safaripark/eagles/16/stannes/st annes.htm

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Great thread Floydman - and super photos - pity the house was let go to rack and ruin and finally pulled down. I remember the ruins when I was a child - enjoyed cycling along the magical hidden world of the Nanniken years later, with all those phoney Greek Temples and Roman ruins, also remember winning a goldfish at a Manresa House garden fete when I was 8, latest experience was a visit with my family last June to the beautiful Rose Gardens (another hidden jewel) after a high tide swim at a sunny and warm Dollymount Strand, followed by a drink in the remaining walls of the old Norman keep inside Clontarf Castle ...

That's a deadly idea Bluebell.................and I could walk there and back in a few minutes.

What do any of you think of the new gates at the Sybil Hill entrance, any of you that have seen them.

Sue, reckon you've seen them.

Kay have you seen them yet ?

Anyone else ?

Bluebell - inspired idea, count me in! A picnic in the park is the business and there are actual loos in the Red Stables which makes it more appealing nowadays!

Haven't seen the gates yet Rolo - are they actually finished yet?  They've been a long time building them....................................are we there yet?

Looks like they're finished. Will try get a pic of them during the week. They're massive, nearly a bit too big if you ask me.

The top man in the park, well his young fella is on Eoin's team so have to tell him that they're just great.

He told me that they are looking at putting some kind of a monument down where the house used be and are actively looking at options.

Rolo wrote: He told me that they are looking at putting some kind of a monument down where the house used be and are actively looking at options.

Well, TLF won't be happy - thats his current favourite run up and down the hill spot.  Still by the rate they move at, he'll probably be chasing young ones down the Park by the time its finished!!

Gates are just out of character with the park as I see it. I see the park as somewhere to play football, stroll, go to the swings and slides. A normal spot, where the natural stuff is cool enough without man made monstrosities.

I don't feel that the gates that are there work at all.

Maybe I'm not in the mood for architectural magnificence when I'm getting ready for a game and trying to figure out where someone has got lost to. (How can someone aim for St Pauls Boys Secondary, and finish up in Brigid's Girl's National School? Sorry, slightly off tangent there)

My memory of the park tends to be football - playing matches there for various teams, whether gaelic or soccer.

But most of all, it was the impromptu kickarounds during the summer and weekends. Endless games of three on three. Same teams every time. Jumpers for goalposts (cliche alert there). the realisation that the same fella was still in the bed and would need to be called into. Despite him living nearer the park than anyone else.

Every now and then you'd play against another group who were there, and the two mini groups of three became a group of six.

Or some Italian student would come along and wonder could he play. No probs we'd say. What's your name. Some Italian name naturally and the response was always "we'll call you Joe". And Joe he would be for an epic (for us) encounter in St Anne's. Very welcoming of foreign culture us....

Or walking home from the DART on a Saturday and seeing some random game and being proven correct in my theory that every junior team has a player called "Git".

The stroll/cycle home from school (I'd have gone via Raheny if I'd know Mins and the girls were on the lookout.....)

Nowadays, the Park is swings and slides after mass on a Sunday - bumped into a lot of familiar faces down there. Twenty seconds of catch up and then it's back to the swings and slides. Magic place.

And then, the cheek of some economist a few years ago, reccomending that St Anne's should be redesignated for housing (it serves no useful community purpose, unlike say for example Herbert Park. More or less exact quote.)

whippersnapper wrote: being proven correct in my theory that every junior team has a player called "Git".

This is so funny Snapper.

I have held this theory for years too. In fact, had a few beers with a gang of lads I played Junior Soccer with in the early eighties,on friday night and we were discussing this very phenomonen.

We didn't have a Git or a Gitser but it seemed that every team we played against did.

In fact, our own U11 GAA team has two Christophers one of whom is bound to end up being called Git as his career develops.

Still laughing here................

Cool pics and even better stories.

Brings back great memories.Me and the lads hanging around the red brick shelter on the main ave. waiting for the Hippies(no offence) to come and then we would have a game of football on the green with jumpers for goals.BRILL.

One name sticks in my mind bloke called ULTAN(he said that was his real name)

Some fellow sitting up a tree with a tin whistle, down at the hidden garden and the rest of them stoned hidden away somewhere.

We used to go down the old pond with our bikes and fly up and down the hills. 

Smithy you are also from St. Anne’s.  There's a few of us out here but you’re only a youngster compared to the others here. (except me of course)

Hello Smithy, yet another Grover living in NCD&B! (North County Dublin & Beyond)

Welcome to the site.

A picnic in the park oh gosh I would go home just for that!!! sounds fantastic.  Sit on the grass by the mound and put your jumpers down and play a game of football just for old times sake!!!! ahhhh that would be grand!

See they should have had the reunion in the park - set up on the mound and let all you young tangs dance the day away with the kids there to see it all unfold.

Thats me only a baby, but love listening to all your stories even though youse all have 4 to 5 years on me.(haHA!!!!)But still done all the things that youse all done before(things didn,t change that much in them years)Lived on MARYVILLE ROAD so ST. ANNE,s was only over the road from me.

I bet we know each other to see.

Hey here's a thing to think about! St Annes Park Clontarf!!!!!! ehhhhh I don't think so St. Annes Park Raheny more like....

It's ours so it is....

smithy wrote: One name sticks in my mind bloke called ULTAN(he said that was his real name) Some fellow sitting up a tree with a tin whistle, down at the hidden garden and the rest of them stoned hidden away somewhere

Hey Smithy, the name of the mystery tin whistle player is all over this Forum in the early days. There's also pics of him posted by Ann Whelan in the appropriate thread. 

Reckon I'd know the Ultan fella too.

YA, but i'm only a blow in.Can somebody remember his name even.

At last i got 2 put a name to the tin whistler.

20 years later i find out his name.Is he still alive,does any body now if he still plays the whistle or where he is.

He was famous when i hung around the park but never saw him,just heard the whistle when we walked past there

Jeez smithy I wonder do i know u i live down the briggan myself...hehe

Welcome to the site

FFS all u had to ask and i wouldve told u his name

Shar

TAUGHT YOU WERE TO YOUNG 2 REMEMBER THOSE THINGS.

SITE'S COOL SHAME IM 4to5 YEARS OFF EVERYBODY ELSE WITH THERE STORIES BUT GOOD TO READ WHAT THE ELDER FOLKES GOT UP 2 (HAHA!!!!)

Ah Smithy ur a pet calling me young....hehe wait till i tell ur mrs ur being nice to me...lol

Ah Smithy there are young fellas like urself on here dont give up all hope...lol

Shar

Like me Smithy! Shar your an old boot now!

Smithy I just posted a pic on the previous page for you of Marcus.

Ultan Donnelly was the chappies name...a Grove and Sainters head. His brother Emmet (quite a Jethro Tull head) was very recogniseable as having very long straight blonde hair.

yeah...I remember them...

I also remember going for my summer evening walks and on way to the aforementioned shelter at the top of the avenue I would listen to the strange flute and whistle sounds floating through the air...suddenly Marcus would fall out of a tree...

Wow, you guys have great memories.

Forgot about a lot of the things happening in the park back then.

I remember walking home from a party in Dollymount and we went thru the park in the middle of the night.

Scared stiff as it looked like something out of a movie - lots of fog, lots of noises. We ran thru it quicker than you could say "look behind you".

We broke our hearts laughing when we reached the houses. Wouldn't do it now. Bit of a silly thing to do.

I was down the park one night with my friends sitting on the mansion road on a bench.  It was about 11 oclock at night and I knew it was past time for me to get home.  However none of my friends would leave with me so I had to walk home alone through the park.  I walked all the way down the mansion road and along the path by the pitch and putt course alone with a guy walking in front of me!!!! sh*tting myself all the way, I will never forget it.  It took me a long time to forgive them after that....

Kay Fagan I think you were there!!!!

Lads, lots of us seem to have played football of some sort or another in the Park down the years. Would love to know who yiz all played for.

Who knows, we might have spent sunday mornings kicking lumps out of each other !

I seem to remember I spent one Sunday morning kicking lumps out of some fella wearing a disguise who asked the Evening Herald to stop covering the match with cameras and such because of invasions of privacy due to his role in the community.

Only joshing....

Played for Scoil in my youth and switched to Raheny for 15's and minor. Only there did I start the hurling - too late to ever develop a touch (and being blind as a bat didn't help), but fell in love with the game due to the stories of the goold old days up in Cabra where a fullback was a man who let nought pass. A proper gentleman Gay Fitzpatrick. Different people inspire you in different ways at different times - he was a gem.

Then discovered the Garrison game after leaving school and left the park for a while to play in DCU and UCD (only ever set foot in UCD to don a false name and play ball) only to return with Clontarf Celtic. Used to hope that Arsene Wenger would discover me, but sadly there's no place for mid thirty, slow, shortsighted footballers.

Never played footie in the park...was never into it.

We were strolling through the park one evening (Tonto-I'm sure you were there? Sean Sullivan definitely was...) when we heard what we thought was a tractor behind the mound. When we got closer we realised it was a generator-three of them in fact. And what we found was a movie being made!

We stood by and watched a scene being filmed of a woodcutter coming out of the trees and just disappearing into the night. While we were there it was shot about six times-the same scene. Got talking to one of the crew and he told me it was the story of a travelling family and it was called 'Mincear' (think I've got the spelling right) and was mostly shot in Darndale! They said a few scenes were shot in the park and I have never seen this movie anywhere.

Anybody else know anything of this?

Rolo, didnt play for any team down the park, just kicked ball around near the mound with the rest of the grove heads..

Just back on the whistle thing, me and Roundy were discussing this earlier - wasnt there another "musician" down there called Frank??

My brother and mine and our friends' heydeys were in the 1960's when we used play football in the park near Watermill road. I think it as called Fr. Ryan's pitch and it was where we played football from school. Those long summer days running through the various tracks and climbing the towers and exploring the various caves brought out the Alan Quartermain in us (pre Indiana Jones days). We never thought to bring any water with us and never had money for cool drinks from the Sugarloaf. We always ended up knocking at one of the doors on the street opposite the park and begging for a bottle of water (remember glass milk bottles). Those ladies were so obliging even though they were probably fed up with little gurriers annoying them.

I did some of my early fishing in the old pond. It was alive with rudd - 3-4 cms but plenty of them. A piece of cane, a bent pin (I kid you not), some thread tied to either end and we were Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer. The favourite bait was dough and worked a treat. I once caught a whopper of about 500 grams and released him. What a red letter day! I had attracted a small audience when I said that I was going to catch him. One guy even shook my hand when I landed the moster. This must be all of 40 years ago and I can still remember it.

Talking about about getting from the shore to the islands, there was a challenge to face. We used to be able to jump from the place beside the seat onto the nearest (obviously) island. I recall  a cohort landing on the opposite shore, flapping his arms before falling backwards into the pond. We all jumped in to "save" him and got murdered when we arrived home.

The mansion house was still standing then. I think it was demolished sometime in the eary 70's. We explored the basement and found old charred gas masks and other bits and pieces. My uncle was agreat authority on local history and had told us about the Guinnesses and Lord Audilan (spelling?). We thought the framework at the back was the burnt-out remains of Crystal Palace (what imaginations).

I'd better do some work. I think I have got carried away with the ramblings. The thread has evoked so many great memories, not least of which were in my teens and the various girlfriends, almost all of whom came from from Raheny/Clontarf and met at the Grove, who accompanied me on those other lazy summer days which I remember for different reasons. I haven't been to the park for some time and would love to see a reunion there this summer with kids and all.

B

Really have enjoyed reading all the ramblings about St Annes - Never knew the history until now - thanks Floydman.

I grew up in Howth so we never got the opportunity to visit the park much. Too far to walk. Feel I have missed out on a whole world.

We had our own areas in Howth like "the Stake" a tidal swimming pool set amongst the cliffs at Balscadden. We spent all our summers there swimming in the freezing water.

You guys are lucky to have had such a great place on your doorstep

What a fantastic link! Thanks Muller.

I was just reading about the park there and Raheny.  I can’t help feeling sad that they did not restore the Mansion and some of the fine buildings around the park.  I really wish they would do something with the remaining buildings.

When I was home a few years ago I heard people talking about builders trying to get their hands on a piece of park down beside Manor House.  I hope to God they never do that, and more so I hope the people would never let it happen.  We need to protect the land.

We live here on an old golf course which caters for many golf leagues during the summer.  Now they are thinking of selling it for housing!!! Much to the dismay of people who live in Minerva Park!!! Very sad indeed!

Some links you might like!

http://www.redstables.ie/ - www.redstables.ie

http://www.raheny.com/vtour.htm - http://www.raheny.com/vtour.htm

http://www.petitiononline.com/av6d6901/petition.html - http://www.petitiononline.com/av6d6901/petition.html

Nice one T...like the virtual tour...

Thought I'd drop in another picture or two of the park in it's Guinness heyday...here is the main entrance hall of the house in Lord and Lady Ardilaun (Arthur and Olive Guinness).

You might recognise this...the Clock Tower,with Booth Clock and bell. The bell was cast by J.Murphy,a Dublin Ironmonger,which has an inscription reading 'Spes Mea In Deo MDCCCL BLG' (made in the year of our Lord,1850). The clock which was fited in 1854 was driven by two huge swinging pendulums and required winding every 24 hours.

This is believed to be a picure (at the 'Old Pond') of Catherine White,Olive's cousin from Cork who lived at Thornhill with Olive after Arthur died.She found living in the huge house to lonely on her own,and asked Catherine to stay with her.Catherine,however,preferred the comfort of Sybil Hill (Brighton Hall,or now St.Pauls college) to the by then decaying house and would cycle down the long avenue after ensuring her cousin was asleep.

Hi RT, I was think that I would do a a little odyssey when I get my motorbike. It should be fun to visit all these places and note how they have changed since the book was written and since my youth.

I read a great book about a guy cycling around Dublin. (Lent it Pat)Can't remember the author's name but it described each place with a little bit of history and also what he got up to when he visited it. In fact, I might cycle the route if I can last the trip from Donanabte to Ballybough.

B

Unfortunately,the Park did have it's troublesome spots-I'm sure everybody has a 'brush with danger' tale.

This isn't so dramatic but it could've gone so wrong...

Tonto,Kevvy,Wacker and myself were sitting by the New Pond one summers evening passing away the time,telling stories and watching the sun go down.

As it was getting a bit dark,we started to head home. On the Mount prospect side of the pond was a skip where we had a rummage through (we were poor!) and Tonto was doing something in his house so we picked out these finished pieces of 2 X 2 timber and bannister rails...(don't know why but they looked like they would come in useful)

From the pond,over the mound and accross the fields alongside the avenue we went only to see a bit of a group heading towards us.Very dark now-streetlights were way off in the distance.4 of us and about 6 of them.They stopped and we stopped. Only for Tonto was doing whatever bit of DIY he wanted the pieces of wood for we could've getting a real hidng. As their sleeves were rolling up,they noticed we were 'armed' and slowly stepped aside. Not a word was spoken,but although we were outnumbered,I guess none of them wanted to risk a cracked jaw.

Sweating and panting,we fled to Vernon Avenue and thanked our lucky stars we came accross that skip.

Don't want to turn this thread into a horror story as we all got something good from the park,but let's call a spade a spade,we all know someone or other who came off worse after a confrontation in there.

OK-let's have a positive story next...

That is gas (no not really) but imagine what they were thinking!!! LOL you probably saved a million rockers after that. They probably went off thinking - that lot are nuts.

I remember years ago I might have been 12 or 13 but going along the mansion road on bikes and next thing this gang of hippies ran out of the bushes.  Well I dropped the bike and took off through the rose garden roaring... lol they must have died laughing.  I came back with a gang of women who were in the Rose Garden at the time to get my bike.  I'd say the lads were just having a bit of crack!  They nearly frightened the life out of me.

The only real thing that used to bother me in the park was flashers.  They seemed to be everywhere we went. Dirty feckers.

Flashers T ?  Really?

Any of them women???

The park would have been packed every night!!!!

Afraid not Martin..... just lots of old codgers showing their thing!

Funny how you don't see them once you turn 40! perhaps because we would be picked up from the ground from the laughing.  I can just picture saying "ah will ya look, that's pitiful, ya poor thing! What happened to it? I don't think they can fix that! sure it's tiny"

Finally got to see the new gates on Tues. They're HUGE!!! Almost expected to see Mr Darcy come riding up on his horse......Swoon

(Me off in dream land, la, la, la)

eejit91 wrote: The only real thing that used to bother me in the park was flashers.  They seemed to be everywhere we went. Dirty feckers.

We had alot flashers then - I remember there was a guy who used to be at St. Pauls School but behind the fence on the St. Pauls Pool side and of course he would flash us and we would run away in horror and he would be in the park just inside the entrance to your left and would start flashing us again - myself and my pals were shocked as he would have to have legged it to get there before us - it was after about 10 flashes that we found out that he was actually a twin !!! 

eejit91 wrote: Floyman I can't see your pictures anymore!  booo hooo as they were fantastic!

Really? I can see them too-will try them again...maybe a couple of others... (not today though-busy doing nothing...)

Esthalon wrote:   Finally got to see the new gates on Tues. They're HUGE!!! Almost expected to see Mr Darcy come riding up on his horse......Swoon

Who,Ray D'Arcy??? !!! ???

Great Martin I see now, the only one missing is the one of the old pond.

Thanks as it really brings me home to see them.

Just can't quite get the attraction of him-suppose I would have had to read the book but when someone mentions Mr. D'Arcy I picture Cloin Firth as he played him (didn't he?)

Maybe I'm the wrong gender???

(Ok-I'm asking for a sl*g with that...let's get it over with...)

Mins wrote: Yes Mr D´arcy riding down the Ave and also Mr D´arcy emerging from the old pond in the soaked white shirt....

Mins,

I love it no matter who you talk to it's everyone's fav scene. I was talking to a woman in her 70's about it a while back, and she picked out the exact same scene, you could tell she was really a 20 year old on the inside! I have the series on DVD but won't let myself rewatch that bit. Must watch the whole thing so as to get full impact. (also only allow myself to watch it once a year, so I don't spoil it due to overwatching. The year is almost up. YIPEE!)

Missed ya in the nep last night. Don't forget to let us know next time you're coming over and we'll try and have a session.

Floydman, Don't expect you to get it or understand (Frankly I'd be worried if you did). P&P is definitely a girl thing!

sorry to throw a spanner in the works here and betray my gender, but does no-one else think Colin Firth is a completely boring actor who plays the same character in every part - Love Actually being the most recent rendition of him playing a wooden, silent, supposedly mysterious and attractive love interest? He was in a small film called Don Quixote or something like that years ago -set in Scotland I think and he ends up driving a bus and has memory loss and what do you know - its Mr D'Arcy on a bus instead of a horse!!!

Feel free to slate me ladies, I'm expecting the worst.

Hello X, was wondering where you'd got to!

Love Actually was crap, so feel free to slate away.....But surely you can't be saying he was crap in P&P he played the character prefectly!!!

Floydman,

Start compiling all your notes and photos and write the book you wanted.

Sorry Mins and Martin - http://www.readireland.ie/booknews/booknews8/issue211.html - http://www.readireland.ie/booknews/booknews8/issue211.html

It's a bit expensive for 117 pages but I supposed it has a limited readership. I'm going to order and see what it's like.

Nice one Muller.

Floydman will just have to do a more modern history, commencing in 1967 and ending in 1997 and focus on some of the things Ms. Usher may have overlooked.