Tommy Took The Boat

I knew Tommy for a number of years and like so many other absent friends he is proud of the place he left behind and wanted to share some of his memories about growing up in Ardoyne .

Thomas McCallan was born at 131 Brompton Park in 1946 to Arthur and Kathleen Mc Callan . His parents had other children , Pat Jim , Gerard and Marie . Some local people who grew up in the district would recall a certain man who at one time delivered milk around Ardoyne with a horse and cart . That was Tommy’s Dad , Arthur Mc Callan . He was a real character
In that time . There were of course many men with horse and carts like Geordie Finn from the Whiteroack with his penny- a-ride in Ballymurphy , Mickey Marley and his hobby horses , the different rag and bone men and market men too many too mention by name . Arthur McCallan was a lover of the monologue and had many party pieces . Both Toms parents loved company and enjoyed a close connection with Holy Cross Church .
Thomas recalls a few things that were a regular part of his everyday life in Ardoyne . He played handball up against the forum wall with other lads from the area . There were some great games there and great natural players who could use the side of their hand to spin a ball or just as easy a closed fist for a slammer beyond the reach of the other player .

Thomas says ,

“My time around Ardoyne was memorable . I went to Butler Street school and was taught by Mrs O’Sullivan . I later went to Holy Cross Boys and a year later to Saint Gabriels. I have memories of being in the only class at Wheatfield House .Saint Gabriels was only opened a year when I went there . “

He remembers some of the teachers names . Mr McGuinness ,
Mr Ramsay the PE Teacher , Mr Higgins the history teacher,
Mr Mc Laughlin the woodwork teacher and Finn McCoul the science
teacher .

Tommy says ,

“During summer months I knocked about with the Mc Carthy’s ,
The Rooneys ,Higgins . We often went hitchhiking up to seven mile straight where we went fishing and swimming .”

As a young lad Tommy played Gaelic football for Ardoyne under the watchful eye of his coach Frank McCallan .

Tommy says

“I also played soccer and rounders .Catch kiss, red rover , one two three red lights and thunder and lightening .”

Tommy loved going to watch soccer matches over on the cinder pitch
Near Flax Street close to The Beltex Mill then . Some of the games attracted huge crowds . The matches were played every Sunday from noon to nine thirty at night . People sat on the dump Hills and were wrapped up in a magic atmosphere that could invade the pitch without a warning .

Tommy tells me he had a certain gift with calling out the bingo numbers . I called them in Latin so only the Catholics could win he said tongue and cheek . On the front of the Crumlin Road not far from Holy Cross Church stood the Ardoyne hall . That’s were Bingo was held every Friday .
On the evenings Jim McCann wasn’t calling the numbers and when Dennis McCormack was hoarse Tommy would do the honours .
Paddy Crossan R.I.P. worked alongside with Tommy at the Sunday dance in Ardoyne Hall .

‘He says ,

‘Being part of a committee brought many jobs along with it .One of the jobs was to book the bands that were to play there .”

There is always stories about small names who became famous and such could be said for one singer who sang in Ardoyne Hall . A man by the name of Joseph McLaughlin who was also known as Joseph Locke often sang at Ardoyne Hall . It took a while for him to be accepted but eventually
He melted the hardest of men when he sang .

Tommy made the decision to leave all of his life in Ardoyne behind and emigrated to Sydney Australia on his own . On the boat he met up some other lads from Northern Ireland and the friendship that was started there remains as strong to this very day . He met Paddy McKenna and Sean Gilmartin . He also met Malachy Hughes . Tommy and Malachy started work together in a factory checking television sets . After that job he took a job as travelling sales representative and then became a manager for a liquor company . Shortly after wards he went into a small business for a few years .
Thomas married an Australian girl called Catherine and they had two children , Tara and Rory .
Tommy now lives in a very big house and has done well for himself in Australia . His brother Jim and his wife also emigrated to Australia .

He still plays football in Australia for an old buffers team and has made many contacts in GAA circles . Tommy enjoys regular tennis and squash with some other Irish people he has come to know .
He always has a smile and a kind word to say about the people he left behind .
Another Absent friend says farewell but the way it is we’re not saying goodbye , instead its a hello

The End

By Paul McCann