Memories of the travelling shop
COUNTY VIEW The Museum of Country Life in Turlough never fails to come up with events and topics of wide public appeal and few more so than a fascinating and heart-warming account of the travelling shop of years ago.
Memories of the travelling shop
In his own talk, Michael John Gallagher recalled the days of shortages and rationing following World War II, of the difficulty of doing business when petrol was scarce. He remembered the ‘big snow’ of 1947 when snow drifted to a height of eight feet in places, bringing the country to a standstill and which did not thaw fully until early June.
Almost 60 years since he first embarked on the roads of east Mayo, Michael John Gallagher is still hale and hearty, enjoying his retirement, and with a volume of warm memories which deserve to be preserved for posterity. In particular, he remembers with affection his loyal customers, some of whom attended the talk in Turlough.
Local historian, Noel O’Neill, who has written a short account of the talk for the Castlebar website, reminds us that other interesting talks and demonstrations are held at the Museum of Country Life each Sunday and Wednesday at 2.30pm. There is no admission charge, but booking is advisable