Chapter Five: ‘Mary’s and Paddy’s Courtship’
Three months passed by before Mary decided to write to Paddy in Kilkenny. Though having been sorely tempted to write the day after their first meeting, Mary decided to think hard upon the matter for the next two weeks. She told herself that if at the end of that time she still felt the same, she would take the plunge and re-initiate contact with the Kilkenny man. However, as so often happens fate, took the decision from her hands.
One week after returning from the Waterford Show, Mary’s father, Harry Lannon suffered a very bad accident when a runaway horse and carriage ran through the street towards a mother walking her pram across the road.
Seeing the accident about to happen and anticipating its consequences, without a second thought for himself, Mary’s father ran headlong towards the mother and pram as fast as his legs would carry him. Arriving just in time, he pushed both mother and child out of the way, mere seconds before the horse knocked him to the ground and trampled him. The cartwheels ran over his prostrate body, crushing his chest and breaking numerous ribs and other bones in the process.
Seeing the accident about to happen and anticipating its consequences, without a second thought for himself, Mary’s father ran headlong towards the mother and pram as fast as his legs would carry him. Arriving just in time, he pushed both mother and child out of the way, mere seconds before the horse knocked him to the ground and trampled him. The cartwheels ran over his prostrate body, crushing his chest and breaking numerous ribs and other bones in the process.
During the next week, Mary’s dad fought for his life in the hospital. One of the broken ribs in his chest had punctured a lung and there was severe damage done to his spine and back where the cartwheels had run over. He even had the Last Rites performed on him by a visiting clergyman.
Her father remained in hospital for five weeks and though the feared spinal damage had not proved severe enough to prevent him ever walking again, one of his legs had been so badly damaged that he would never walk again unaided. Harry Lannon would need crutches for the rest of his life and his walk would forever mirror that of an ungainly hobble. He now also had a weakened back. This back injury caused him continuous pain and made sure that he would never work manually again.
Her father remained in hospital for five weeks and though the feared spinal damage had not proved severe enough to prevent him ever walking again, one of his legs had been so badly damaged that he would never walk again unaided. Harry Lannon would need crutches for the rest of his life and his walk would forever mirror that of an ungainly hobble. He now also had a weakened back. This back injury caused him continuous pain and made sure that he would never work manually again.
Forever a proud man who had always worked hard to support his wife and large family, Harry Lannon worried greatly who would now provide for his wife and children, now that he could no longer work to support them. He started to mend bicycles for the other villagers from the premises of his home shed, as this was lighter work he could perform. But, however long his hours of work, and however many bikes he fixed and wheel punctures he repaired, the amount of money he earned represented no more than the pin money of a married woman’s part-time job.
It was eventually decided that his wife Maureen would go back out to work in the town bakery as she could earn more to bring home than her sixteen year old daughter, Mary. Her daughter Mary subsequently became the ‘number one’ Mama of the household during her mother’s daily absence.
Poor Mary felt trapped. All her life she had craved to look after children and now that she’d been given the sole charge of nine of them between the hours of 5.30 am and 2.00 pm when her mum was out of the family home. In her heart of hearts, she didn’t want all this responsibility thrust upon her, but she had no choice as the eldest daughter, apart from putting up with it.
Poor Mary felt trapped. All her life she had craved to look after children and now that she’d been given the sole charge of nine of them between the hours of 5.30 am and 2.00 pm when her mum was out of the family home. In her heart of hearts, she didn’t want all this responsibility thrust upon her, but she had no choice as the eldest daughter, apart from putting up with it.
You see, though Mary had always wanted to mother children, she had always dreamed of mothering her own children. Mothering her brothers and sisters was not quite the same!
Following her father’s accident, Mary became quickly aware of the necessary changes in the household that would now be required. Being the dutiful child she was, Mary knew that the greater burden of change would fall to her. She knew where her duty lay during the immediate years ahead. Fate had mapped out her present responsibilities and prime role; to play the part of mother in the parental abode to her younger siblings in the absence of her mother and not within her own marital home!
Following her father’s accident, Mary became quickly aware of the necessary changes in the household that would now be required. Being the dutiful child she was, Mary knew that the greater burden of change would fall to her. She knew where her duty lay during the immediate years ahead. Fate had mapped out her present responsibilities and prime role; to play the part of mother in the parental abode to her younger siblings in the absence of her mother and not within her own marital home!
The only spare time that Mary had for herself during the months ahead were a few hours on a Sunday afternoon. Her mother now worked throughout the week plus Saturday mornings at the bakery.
The early start was very tiring on Mary’s mum and when she finished work for the week on a Saturday noon, she would be exhausted and in need of rest. Maureen Lannon only started to come round again by Sunday morning. Mary's mum appreciated how hard her daughter worked during her absence and always ensured that she cooked the family meal on Sundays; giving Mary a break from some of the chores.
The early start was very tiring on Mary’s mum and when she finished work for the week on a Saturday noon, she would be exhausted and in need of rest. Maureen Lannon only started to come round again by Sunday morning. Mary's mum appreciated how hard her daughter worked during her absence and always ensured that she cooked the family meal on Sundays; giving Mary a break from some of the chores.
Mary’s hard work and lack of leisure time from one week to the next had eventually induced sufficient guilt in her mother to suggest to her daughter that in future she have Sunday noon until 8.00 pm free, to do or go wherever she willed.
Maureen Lannon knew that other sixteen-year-old girls with whom Mary had attended school, would be out at weekends having fun. They would be engaged with friends of their own age, and some would be arranging secret meetings with boyfriends, whereas her daughter, not yet seventeen, was working her fingers to the bone all week long, looking after her siblings.
Maureen Lannon knew that other sixteen-year-old girls with whom Mary had attended school, would be out at weekends having fun. They would be engaged with friends of their own age, and some would be arranging secret meetings with boyfriends, whereas her daughter, not yet seventeen, was working her fingers to the bone all week long, looking after her siblings.
When Mary’s mother gave her Sunday’s off, the young woman immediately knew how she would spend her first free Sunday. That night, when the household was fast asleep, Mary got out pen and paper and wrote a letter to Paddy Fanning that she would post first thing the following morning:
Number 17, Davis Street,
Clonmel
October 4th, 1909
'Dear Paddy,
You have probably forgotten me, but I am the young woman you met at the 'Waterford Show' in June. I am the one who lost her young brother in the crowd, and whom you kindly found.
You gave me your address in Kilkenny on the back of this postcard with a picture of the Kilkenny Bridge, just to remind me of the part of Ireland you hail from, as if I was likely to forget, Paddy Fanning! You also asked me to write to you upon my return home. I did intend to write a week or so after the Show, but family circumstances, which I will not go into now, prevented me doing so.
If you would still like to meet me again, I would be prepared to see you in Waterford on the next Sunday afternoon you are available. I am sorry, but my home circumstances dictate that any future meetings between us must take place on a Sunday afternoon. I can be in Waterford by 3pm on the bus from Clonmel any Sunday and will meet you by the clock.
If you do not want to meet up again, I perfectly understand. Thank you for returning my brother Patrick safely to me.’
Mary Lannon.
Number 17, Davis Street,
Clonmel
October 4th, 1909
'Dear Paddy,
You have probably forgotten me, but I am the young woman you met at the 'Waterford Show' in June. I am the one who lost her young brother in the crowd, and whom you kindly found.
You gave me your address in Kilkenny on the back of this postcard with a picture of the Kilkenny Bridge, just to remind me of the part of Ireland you hail from, as if I was likely to forget, Paddy Fanning! You also asked me to write to you upon my return home. I did intend to write a week or so after the Show, but family circumstances, which I will not go into now, prevented me doing so.
If you would still like to meet me again, I would be prepared to see you in Waterford on the next Sunday afternoon you are available. I am sorry, but my home circumstances dictate that any future meetings between us must take place on a Sunday afternoon. I can be in Waterford by 3pm on the bus from Clonmel any Sunday and will meet you by the clock.
If you do not want to meet up again, I perfectly understand. Thank you for returning my brother Patrick safely to me.’
Mary Lannon.
The next day, Mary posted off the letter. It was five days before she received a reply. Never having had a letter from Paddy previously, she was unable to know if it was he who had penned it, but seeing a Kilkenny postmark on the envelope, Mary had no reason to suppose it was from another.
Paddy had written his letter of reply in scribbled hand and its poor grammar, lack of punctuation and spelling mistakes identified his obvious lack of schooling. As Mary read the briefest of letters, her heart beat anxiously. The letter simply said:
‘Dearest Mary Lannon. Why did you keep me waiting so long. Of corse I want to see you again. Wood Sunday the 17th October be ok. If I dont hear back I will meet you at the bus stop near the clock.’
Paddy Fanning.
Paddy had written his letter of reply in scribbled hand and its poor grammar, lack of punctuation and spelling mistakes identified his obvious lack of schooling. As Mary read the briefest of letters, her heart beat anxiously. The letter simply said:
‘Dearest Mary Lannon. Why did you keep me waiting so long. Of corse I want to see you again. Wood Sunday the 17th October be ok. If I dont hear back I will meet you at the bus stop near the clock.’
Paddy Fanning.
Mary concealed the letter on her person and smiled secretly as she went about her childminding, housekeeping and domestic chores.
Today was Thursday, October 14th. Only three days to go before she would meet up with Paddy again. She had not felt so apprehensive yet so happy previously, all at the same time. She was happy to be seeing Paddy again, but worried that their meeting might not go as well as she hoped it would. Each time she closed her eyes, she would try to recapture Paddy's face and the way he'd looked when they last met.
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Today was Thursday, October 14th. Only three days to go before she would meet up with Paddy again. She had not felt so apprehensive yet so happy previously, all at the same time. She was happy to be seeing Paddy again, but worried that their meeting might not go as well as she hoped it would. Each time she closed her eyes, she would try to recapture Paddy's face and the way he'd looked when they last met.
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Mary arrived in Waterford on the Sunday of the 17th as planned. She had put on the best clothes she possessed, which were in keeping with the weather; a yellow cardigan, gold coloured skirt, brown shoes and brown coat. Mary had left the house looking like her parents’ sixteen-year-old daughter, but stepped off the bus, looking far more mature, having applied red lipstick, eye shadow and a bit of rouge to her cheeks along the way.
As the bus arrived in Waterford, she could see Paddy by the clock on the waterfront. The clock was a popular meeting place for all manner of folk. Children, teenagers and adults used the clock as a regular meeting place. Lovers also used it as a contact point, along with the occasional married man arranging a clandestine meeting with his woman friend.
As the bus arrived in Waterford, she could see Paddy by the clock on the waterfront. The clock was a popular meeting place for all manner of folk. Children, teenagers and adults used the clock as a regular meeting place. Lovers also used it as a contact point, along with the occasional married man arranging a clandestine meeting with his woman friend.
As Mary looked at Paddy, she saw that he was holding the handlebars of a bicycle meant for two, a tandem. Mary smiled at Paddy as she approached and let him be the first to talk. Despite not being the talkative kind, wherever a fair maiden was involved, Paddy would always know what not to say. If he tried to talk too much he could easily become lost for words. Like his letters, Paddy kept his words to an absolute minimum and once Mary realised this, she kept the conversation between them flowing.
Paddy had borrowed the tandem from a friend and had ridden it the thirty-three miles from his home address in Kilkenny to Waterford.
“I thought we’d ride out to Tramore,” he said.
“That sounds marvelous. It’s been a good few years since I’ve been out that way,” Mary replied.
Paddy had borrowed the tandem from a friend and had ridden it the thirty-three miles from his home address in Kilkenny to Waterford.
“I thought we’d ride out to Tramore,” he said.
“That sounds marvelous. It’s been a good few years since I’ve been out that way,” Mary replied.
One hour later, the couple were in Tramore. It was only after Paddy had asked Mary if she would like a drink at the corner pub that her look of surprise indicated to him that she might not be as old as she looked.
“You’re not old enough to drink in the pub are you, Mary Lannon?” he asked.
“I’m only seventeen years old…well…I’m almost seventeen and will be so on December 8th,” Mary said sheepishly.
Paddy looked at his female companion and smiled. Boys had often smiled at Mary, but never quite in the same way that Paddy smiled at her now! It was the kind of smile that only an enamoured man might make; the kind of smile that expected everything, yet asked for nothing! Despite Mary’s lack of serious courtship experience, she did not need to identify the thoughts inside his head when he next looked at her. His look required no words to know their meaning and told her plainly all that she needed to know. That inner knowledge stirred and excited her, yet made her feel distinctly uncomfortable. Sensing her innocent awkwardness, Paddy acted the perfect gentleman that day and was courteous in the extreme.
The day was a perfect success all round and it was only when Patrick put Mary back on the early evening bus for Clonmel and gently kissed her on the lips, with one hand respectfully on her waist, that the first intimate contact was made between the couple.
Mary and Patrick had arranged to meet at the same spot two Sundays hence. They agreed that if the other had not arrived one hour after the appointed time, each was to assume that something unavoidable had cropped up and that they could not come as planned. In such an event, they agreed to meet up two Sundays after, at the same time and place.
Mary and Patrick had arranged to meet at the same spot two Sundays hence. They agreed that if the other had not arrived one hour after the appointed time, each was to assume that something unavoidable had cropped up and that they could not come as planned. In such an event, they agreed to meet up two Sundays after, at the same time and place.
Two weeks later, as planned, the couple met up again by the clock in Waterford near Mary’s bus stop. Paddy had brought the tandem again and the couple peddled out to Tramore once more. Only this time they did not cycle the road that took them to the beach, but instead took the high road towards the ‘Metal Man’.
,Though he was not as educated as much as Mary was, Paddy did know his local history. Besides, Mary had no inkling of the significance that the ‘Metal Man’ had already played in Paddy’s life.
,Though he was not as educated as much as Mary was, Paddy did know his local history. Besides, Mary had no inkling of the significance that the ‘Metal Man’ had already played in Paddy’s life.
Paddy’s mother had told her son one night after she had drunk too much stout, that whereas all children knew where they had been born and on which day, month and year, very few knew precisely where they had been conceived. His mother had told Paddy that he had been a much-wanted bairn and had been ‘brought about’ within sight of the ‘Metal Man’ in Tramore. While Paddy was ignorant as to the meaning of ‘conception’ or being ‘brought about‘ at the first time of hearing these terms, he never forgot his mother’s words.
Paddy told Mary that the most prominent feature of Tramore Bay was the ‘Metal Man.’ He pointed out that the construction was a large figure made out of cast metal and pointed seawards from one of three pillars. Lloyds of London, the firm who insured ships worldwide, had erected it in 1823. Its purpose was to warn seafarers away from dangerous shallow waters after a number of shipwrecks had occurred. Two more pillars sit on the headland opposite, Brownstown Head.
There are many myths and legends surrounding the ‘Metal Man’, but the one that appealed to most Irish ears, especially Mary’s, was the hopping story, which Paddy related to her. Paddy said, “If a woman hopped barefoot around the base of the ‘Metal Man’ three times, she would be married within the year.”
There are many myths and legends surrounding the ‘Metal Man’, but the one that appealed to most Irish ears, especially Mary’s, was the hopping story, which Paddy related to her. Paddy said, “If a woman hopped barefoot around the base of the ‘Metal Man’ three times, she would be married within the year.”
The ‘Metal Man’ became a favourite spot where Mary and Paddy visited most Sundays they met. It was extremely quiet and apart from the occasional courting couple that came by, Mary and Paddy would spend most Sunday picnics there without seeing another soul. These were happy and carefree days where each considered sharing a future together.
It was during one sunny Sunday afternoon in May when Mary and Paddy next found themselves picnicking in a field by the ‘Metal Man’. The farmer who owned it had left the field fallow. The grass had grown high and provided an ideal location for many a courting couple to kiss and cuddle away from the view of onlookers and rabbit hunters.
Mary and Paddy had made a nice comfortable clearing to picnic, after which they just idled the afternoon hours away, laid beside each other sunbathing. While Paddy was far from the best of speakers or writers, when it came to courting, he was the most adventurous of explorers.
It was during one sunny Sunday afternoon in May when Mary and Paddy next found themselves picnicking in a field by the ‘Metal Man’. The farmer who owned it had left the field fallow. The grass had grown high and provided an ideal location for many a courting couple to kiss and cuddle away from the view of onlookers and rabbit hunters.
Mary and Paddy had made a nice comfortable clearing to picnic, after which they just idled the afternoon hours away, laid beside each other sunbathing. While Paddy was far from the best of speakers or writers, when it came to courting, he was the most adventurous of explorers.
During the months since the couple had first met, the degree of intimacy that Mary had been prepared to go along with was farther than she’d ever gone before, and as far as she believed, farther than any unmarried Catholic girl should ever be prepared to go. Paddy had taught her to kiss and during their most amorous moments, he would baptise her in tongues.
In fact, Mary got so accustomed to their French kissing that she began to like it much more than she would ever let on, even to herself.
In fact, Mary got so accustomed to their French kissing that she began to like it much more than she would ever let on, even to herself.
Although a patient man in the courtship stakes, Paddy soon recognised the reservations of Mary to engage in some practices of the courtship process before her time, so he became prepared to play the long game. He had decided to bide his time in the belief that Mary would eventually prove to be a willing lover. If he did not rush his colleen, Paddy reckoned that in time, Mary would reward his patience by being prepared to give all for the sake of love and continued companionship.
Mary had often allowed Paddy to stroke her breasts though never feel them bare, only over her blouse top. Try as she may to deny the occasional stirrings that Paddy was capable of arousing in her more easily and more often now, Mary could not shut out a hidden yearning deep inside. The pleasure came from changes in her own body and not the body of Paddy. She was like a dormant volcano that was making ready to erupt into full-blown womanhood.
Mary had often allowed Paddy to stroke her breasts though never feel them bare, only over her blouse top. Try as she may to deny the occasional stirrings that Paddy was capable of arousing in her more easily and more often now, Mary could not shut out a hidden yearning deep inside. The pleasure came from changes in her own body and not the body of Paddy. She was like a dormant volcano that was making ready to erupt into full-blown womanhood.
Now, when Paddy ran his hand across her blouse slowly and tantalisingly, the hardening of her nipples beneath could not deny the pleasurable feeling she had for so long repressed, but could no longer hold back. She even discovered that she could produce the same sensations when she stroked her own breasts and lower body parts.
Each time Paddy placed his hand beneath her dress, found her knee and slowly moved his hand up it, while part of her wanted him to carry on to see how it would feel at journey’s end, Mary took fright and prevented its arrival. The automatic removal of his hand by her indicated that she was not yet ready to abandon all resistance to the maintenance of her maidenhood.So whenever possible Mary would hold Paddy's roaming hand.
When it did eventually happen, it was on a day when it was least expected.
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Each time Paddy placed his hand beneath her dress, found her knee and slowly moved his hand up it, while part of her wanted him to carry on to see how it would feel at journey’s end, Mary took fright and prevented its arrival. The automatic removal of his hand by her indicated that she was not yet ready to abandon all resistance to the maintenance of her maidenhood.So whenever possible Mary would hold Paddy's roaming hand.
When it did eventually happen, it was on a day when it was least expected.
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Mary missed her next Sunday meeting with Paddy and he received no letter from her saying why. As the couple had previously agreed, he turned up two Sundays later at the appointed hour by the clock on the waterfront.
Paddy waited for the bus to empty and was bitterly disappointed not to see Mary on it. Just as he was about to leave, one of the passengers from Clonmel approached Paddy and after ascertaining his identity, gave him a brief note from Mary. Paddy thanked her and eagerly read the note. It was short and to the point and said:
‘Dear Paddy,
I am so sorry, but cannot come today. My mother died a few weeks ago and as you can imagine, there has been a lot to see to, with the burial and everything else. I will try to get into Waterford in two weeks’ time if I can, but please understand if I am not there.’
Love Mary x
Paddy waited for the bus to empty and was bitterly disappointed not to see Mary on it. Just as he was about to leave, one of the passengers from Clonmel approached Paddy and after ascertaining his identity, gave him a brief note from Mary. Paddy thanked her and eagerly read the note. It was short and to the point and said:
‘Dear Paddy,
I am so sorry, but cannot come today. My mother died a few weeks ago and as you can imagine, there has been a lot to see to, with the burial and everything else. I will try to get into Waterford in two weeks’ time if I can, but please understand if I am not there.’
Love Mary x
Two weeks later, Paddy went to meet the Clonmel bus in Waterford and was overjoyed to see Mary get off it. Mary ran to embrace Paddy with tears in her eyes as soon as she saw him waiting there for her.
“There…there lass,’ a concerned Paddy said softly. ‘I’m here now, lass.”
Paddy gave Mary a brief kiss on the cheek and they went into a nearby café on the waterfront to have a pot of tea and a long talk.
Mary said. “Ma passed away suddenly two days after we last met.” At the mention of her mother’s name, Mary started to cry again, this time more openly than before. She did not attempt to conceal her distress, other than by the judicious placing of a handkerchief to her mouth whenever she was in danger of sobbing loud.
“There…there lass,’ a concerned Paddy said softly. ‘I’m here now, lass.”
Paddy gave Mary a brief kiss on the cheek and they went into a nearby café on the waterfront to have a pot of tea and a long talk.
Mary said. “Ma passed away suddenly two days after we last met.” At the mention of her mother’s name, Mary started to cry again, this time more openly than before. She did not attempt to conceal her distress, other than by the judicious placing of a handkerchief to her mouth whenever she was in danger of sobbing loud.
Mary told Paddy that two days after they had last met; her mother had collapsed at her place of work. Initially, the man who owned the bakery thought she had probably fainted with the heat, but after numerous attempts to bring her back round, it became apparent that she had mysteriously died on the job.
Given the suddenness of her death and the unexplained nature of it, an autopsy was subsequently carried out. It found that Maureen Lannon had suffered a massive brain haemorrhage. Her husband Harry was informed that an artery in the brain had burst and she simply bled out, killing the surrounding brain cells that controlled her breathing and the functioning of the heart; leading to a severe stroke. The only consolation was that death was certainly instantaneous.
Given the suddenness of her death and the unexplained nature of it, an autopsy was subsequently carried out. It found that Maureen Lannon had suffered a massive brain haemorrhage. Her husband Harry was informed that an artery in the brain had burst and she simply bled out, killing the surrounding brain cells that controlled her breathing and the functioning of the heart; leading to a severe stroke. The only consolation was that death was certainly instantaneous.
After her mother’s death, Mary, being the eldest female in the large family, now felt a greater responsibility to step into her mother's shoes and become mother to the surviving members of it.
“What a responsibility to put on a young woman’s shoulders!” Paddy thought as Mary spoke about recent events.
The couple stayed in Waterford City that afternoon instead of cycling out to Tramore. Mary was both glad of Paddy’s company and his reassuring arm around her waist as they walked and talked across the bridge, before walking back again and having another journey to the tea-house.
“What a responsibility to put on a young woman’s shoulders!” Paddy thought as Mary spoke about recent events.
The couple stayed in Waterford City that afternoon instead of cycling out to Tramore. Mary was both glad of Paddy’s company and his reassuring arm around her waist as they walked and talked across the bridge, before walking back again and having another journey to the tea-house.
When Paddy put her back on the bus that evening, it was with a heavy heart. Neither knew when Mary could get out to Waterford again. Paddy said he’d still come into Waterford every second Sunday, even if it took six months before she could come back there again for their Sunday afternoon meetings.
As Mary travelled home that evening, she cried salty tears, part joy and part sorrowful. She felt happy for having met such an understanding man in Paddy from Kilkenny. She considered herself lucky to have landed herself a patient man, given the uncertainty of her circumstances and any normal future they might have together. The bitter tears of sorrow were for the death of her beloved mother and the invalid state of her dear father.
As Mary travelled home that evening, she cried salty tears, part joy and part sorrowful. She felt happy for having met such an understanding man in Paddy from Kilkenny. She considered herself lucky to have landed herself a patient man, given the uncertainty of her circumstances and any normal future they might have together. The bitter tears of sorrow were for the death of her beloved mother and the invalid state of her dear father.
