overthehildablog@gmail.com

Over The Hilda

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Lifestyle & Leisure
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Style & Beauty
  • Rants & Random Thoughts

Introducing an unsung creative writer

0
Hilda
Wednesday, 15 March 2017 / Published in Friends and Family, Home, Love & Relationships, News

Introducing an unsung creative writer

In a departure from my usual post, I’d like to use the platform of my blog to introduce you to an inspiring woman I encountered recently – another ‘Fierce 50’ woman.

Deborah Blacoe, however, is not a blogger but rather a writer who until now has only shared her musings and jottings with her friends. I have persuaded her, though, to allow me to publish (below) an abridged version of a childhood memory, which I believe deserves a wider audience.

Blessed with a wonderfully creative writing style and a keen eye for detail, you will see how she transports her readers back to Dublin in the 1960s. Like me, you can imagine her glamorous grandmother sweeping into a department store; you can taste the tea and cakes in a city tea rooms; you can experience the luxury of it all. Growing up in the country, I never knew any of that life – tea outside the farm was in a field in a bottle during harvest!

Deborah & husband

A former air hostess and married to Gerry (both above), a pilot whose career took them for a while to the Far East 25 years ago, Deborah’s gift with words is hardly surprising considering her family background. Her father Philip Ryan was a major figure in the Irish entertainment world and was noted for acting as well as writing plays with his best pal Hugh Leonard. He later wrote books about Irish theatres and biographies of such stars as Jimmy O’Dea and Noel Purcell.

The family home was always full of books and music and visits to plays, pantomimes and summer variety shows were a regular occurrence. A love and appreciation of the arts was always encouraged. It rubbed off on her older brother Philip (below) who threw himself wholeheartedly into a career in music and theatre. While his musical interests were broad, his first foray into the entertainment sector was as a member of Ireland’s first punk band, The Radiators from Space, and better known as Phil Chevron, he was later a guitarist with The Pogues. His skills as a writer and musician subsequently led him down the path of musical director in many major productions before his untimely death at the age of 57.

Philip

Although initially inspired by her father and brother, Deborah also came to realise that the creative gene also emanated from her mother who wrote remarkably detailed, eloquent letters to her when the family lived abroad. Until then, she had pigeon-holed her mother as the maker of the home, the stereotypical Irish mammy. Which is exactly what many women of a certain age now fight against. It is easy to witness a certain ‘loss of self’ in that path but here is creativity at its best.

 

Memories of a Dublin Childhood

My grandmother La Grue was a jovial, generous woman. She had a taste for style – the array of bags, shoes, hats, gloves, silk scarves and clothes which she wore was a constant thrill to a little girl with her eye on the finer things in life. Nanna thought nothing of wearing shimmering fabrics during the day. Matching, tailor-made coats and dresses, lined with a contrasting colour in silk or satin.

Her necklaces were made of beads to complement whichever outfit she was wearing. Or sometimes it would be multiple strands of pink or cream pearls, held together with a clasp studded with diamonds.

Perhaps a longing for style is inherent, but I think that I probably acquired my love for all things clothes and accessories from this, my maternal grandmother. Time spent in the presence of this wonderful woman surely influenced her adoring young first granddaughter? Oh, and I mustn’t forget the brooches, she always wore a brooch which was quite daring in its size and colour. And it usually sparkled. Quite delicious!

The venue for our family afternoon tea outings with Nana was chosen depending on where she was shopping that day. Perhaps she might be visiting Clery’s for a look at their linens – then it would be the Capitol Tea Rooms. Or if she was visiting Switzer’s for the purchase of some shoes, it would be Bewley’s.

Bewleys

She was always welcomed in these stores by the floorwalker with a “Good afternoon, Mrs La Grue”. I don’t think floorwalkers exist anymore. Shopping happens at such a pace that the need for such an individual is defunct.

It was always the four of us – Nanna, my mother, Philip and me. Sometimes we would be joined by my Aunt Jean, the much younger beloved sister of my mother, and the baby in a family of eight children. I was in awe of Jean. She was truly a Sixties’ beauty. Long blonde hair back combed and held in place by a white hair band, lots of black mascara and pale lipstick, and best of all, a powder blue leather suit with a mini skirt which just about paid homage to decorum.

On high days and holy days, my grandmother Ryan would accompany us, equally generous and equally jolly, but with less of an eye on style. When she accompanied us there would be the reading of the tea leaves at the end of the meal. She always managed to make us laugh with this performance and my Nanna La Grue would shake with laughter, her glitter and her diamonds sparkling in the light of whatever chandelier was above our heads.

The business of food was a serious one. We started with sandwiches, followed by scones and cakes, as well as pastries which made the mouth water on first sight. The texture was always light and delicate, melt in the mouth fancies. And the ceremony of tea pouring was always done by my mother. Each adult cup filled almost to the brim with the golden liquid, each child cup half filled with the same and topped up with an amount of milk so that small mouths didn’t burn. The job of sugaring the tea was left to the individual and in this minor detail, I got to feel quite the grown-up. I would carefully take the spoonful of sugar from the little basin, slowly bringing it towards my cup, trying not to spill it.

Each time we met there would be more shopping and more afternoon tea. Being a child, I didn’t see this as out of the ordinary. I didn’t see it as privileged. I didn’t see it as anything other than meeting with Nanna and having tea with her in town rather than in her home. But as I do my own shopping in town these days, I always stop for tea or coffee, a habit I don’t seem able to drop.

 Of course, I don’t frequent the salons of the Shelbourne or such like too often these days. That is only for special occasions. But wherever I do stop, the empty seats at my table echo with light and laughter from days gone by. Memories from a childhood in Dublin, where the haze of nostalgia blurs the realities of the time. And perhaps that is best.

 

(To read the full article, click here Memories of a Dublin childhood)

Tagged under: bewleys, deborah blacoe, fierce 50 movement, phil chevron, the pogues, the radiators from space, writer

What you can read next

Wrinkles, wrinkles everywhere and not a cure in sight!
The Coffee Fix
Drink Lemon, Water and Ginger to stay Healthy

3 Comments to “ Introducing an unsung creative writer”

  1. Jan Wild says :Reply
    March 15, 2017 at 8:22 pm

    Oh yes, such beautiful writing with powerful word pictures. I can detect a waft of perfume as Nanna glides by.

  2. Anna de Marigny says :Reply
    March 16, 2017 at 8:50 am

    What a delightful story. The glamorous grandma came to colourful life. The memories of a more gracious time are captured beautifully.

  3. Zena says :Reply
    March 18, 2017 at 9:08 am

    A fabulous piece of writing! I wish I could have been there having tea too!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sign up here to receive updates straight to your mailbox
Loading

DELIGHTED TO BE IN THE TOP 15!

Fashion Over 50

overthehilda

Ambassador for Ageless Style.
Spending my 60s embracing my personal style; roadtesting new beauty fads & living my healthiest happiest life!

Hilda Smith
Power dressing with 'Style Not Age'! Borrowed a re Power dressing with 'Style Not Age'! Borrowed a relaxed trouser suit from @studio124dublin (boutiques in Malahide and Raheny) 
Added pops of red including my phone bag from @bagsbylanda.
Definitely ready to take on the world and the board.
Check out the blog and my friends @annasislandstyle @mummabstylish @is_this_mutton_  and @thestylesplash for their interpretations of the theme.

#powerdressing #powersuit #stayingstylish #bevisible
#stylenotage #over60style  #over50style #powerofred #overthehilda #stylishday #takenoprisoners #fashionisfun #mystyle #redbag
Core memories made celebrating GG's 70th Birthday Core memories made celebrating GG's 70th Birthday with our beautiful family on Safari in Birmingham last week.

Let's call it chaotic; wild & wonderful all at once with four Grandkids between 17 months and 7 years old. 😂 

#birthdaytrip #familyvacation
Our Indian Summer and a visit to Gorgeous Gort and Our Indian Summer and a visit to Gorgeous Gort and our friends @annademart.ie and @hynes6026 gave me a chance to wear this beautiful dress from @paulasmalahide. Visited Coole Park and Thoor Ballylee, ate delicious food  and drank too much wine with lovely people @mcevoycarlos and @mcevoyleonie. More pics on stories. 

#reddress #redisthecolor #over50style #over60style #discoverunder10k #redhot
#redandorange #countrylife #indiansummer #dresslove #mystyle #wearthedress #liveyourlifenow #discoverireland  #sunnydays☀️
Instagram post 18286105045122789 Instagram post 18286105045122789
Realised I had not given this lovely dress a place Realised I had not given this lovely dress a place on the grid. Bought from @studio124dublin. Over on the blog I have published a post on having a colonoscopy. 
Yes exciting stuff! But decided not to publish a picture of my colon. Yes you have been saved that!
Have a lovely day. The sun is out.

#colonoscopy #colononoscopyprep
#bowels #overthehilda #over50style 
#wearwhatyoulove #agelessstyle 
#over60blogger #healthpost
#neutralstyle  #mystyle #discoverunder10k
#mystylemyway #nevertooold
#over60style  #stayhealthy
Magic weather this weekend .... Magic weather this weekend ....
Great fun at launch of @travel_department and @tda Great fun at launch of @travel_department and @tdactiveholidays 2024 brochures with new initiatives and destinations. Get planning now with the best in #guided travel. Don't leave it too late. Practically nothing left this year.
Crochet is the theme for this month's 'Style Not A Crochet is the theme for this month's 'Style Not Age'! I may not have crushed it but I did do some damage to my fingers. Hence splints and red bandages.Yes rushing about and tripped ...luckily only on grass or it could have been worse. It might have been my teeth!

Anyway back to the outfit. I had to borrow a crochet top and bag from my friend @marie.sweeney4. And they look amazing with my suit bought from @studio124dublin and hat @wallaroohatsuk (old)
Pop over to see how my friends tackled the challenge 
@mummabstylish
@annasislandstyle
@is_this_mutton_
@thestylesplash 

#crochet #crushingcrochet #stylishatanyage #over60style #overthehilda #stoprushing #agelessstyle #stayingstylish #bevisible #ageismisneverinstyle #fashionisfun #trousersuit #shoplocal #stylishday
#over60blogger #theshowmustgoon 
#mystyle #ageisjustanumber #agelessstyle #over50style
Accessorising my bandages is now a priority! And I Accessorising my bandages is now a priority! And I found the perfect leather phone bag @bagsbylanda A/W launch today. It holds more than a phone, by the way! Room for lippy, cards and keys too!
I love a small bag for walking and shopping and this beauty in top quality leather comes in a variety of colours. 
And yes it came home with me!
More pics on stories.
Shopped my wardrobe for the rest.
Sunnies @urbaneyes.ie

#leatherbags
#irishbrand
#qualitybags 
#phonebag
#gifts
#over60blogger 
#stylishatanyage 
#designedinireland
#redbag
#lovecolour
#colourcrazy
#shoppingforpresents
#overthehilda
#gifted
Orange you glad the sun is back at last! Love the Orange you glad the sun is back at last! 
Love the colour of this linen shirt and it is always packed for sun holidays, because of its versatility.

 Years old and bought @paulasmalahide.  Here it acts as a cover up over a swimsuit in Dubrovnik. Also love the colour and roominess of the Yoko bag @absolutely_patsy. 
Sunnies  and slides @tkmaxxie.
Let's hope the good weather stays. I might even venture into the Irish sea!😂

#shopmywardrobe
#orangeshirt
#discoverunder10k 
#over50style
#over60style 
#mystylediary
#agelessstyle
#sunshine
#styleinfluencer
#explorepage
#nevertooold
#shirtlove
#holidayoutfit
#beachvibe
'Kimono my House' is Gail's prompt for this month' 'Kimono my House' is Gail's prompt for this month's 'Style Not Age'! And I did not realise it was an album by The Sparks back in 1974. 🫢
That was the year I did my Leaving Cert exams so maybe that is why it passed me by. But I do like kimonos. 
Love the paisley pattern and have no idea where I got it. Check out my friends @is_this_mutton_ @thestylesplash @annasislandstyle @mummabstylish.
Shopping my wardrobe for everything.

#kimono  #kimonomyhouse #styleover50 #stylishatanyage #styleinspo #stylenotage #stylishatanyage #shopmywardrobe #overthehilda #over60blogger #over60blogger #nevertooold #styleover60
Do you have clothes that only see the light of day Do you have clothes that only see the light of day when you are on holidays? I do. Though this jumpsuit from @trafficpeople was worn a few times in Ireland when we had a heatwave! Remember😂
The hat from @h&m was prettied up with a scarf and birkenstock dupes are @tkmaxxie.
Blog post up about our trip to Dubrovnik. We had a blast at Ali and Ian's wedding. Dubrovnik is beautiful.

#holidaywear #holidayclothes #agelessstyle  #over60blogger #wearwhatyoulove #jumpsuitlove
#ageisjustanumber #fashionforallages #gashionisfun #chicandstylishme @mummabstylish #lovedubrovnik
#visitdubrovnik #stylishatanyage #overthehilda #casualstyle
Load More… Follow on Instagram
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Style & Beauty
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Lifestyle & Leisure
  • Rants & Random Thoughts

Recent Posts

  • Power Dressing

    Power Dressing with ‘Style Not Age’

    Power Dressing is this month’s theme in &...
  • Why You Should Supplement with Omega-3

    I take supplements. For several years now I hav...
  • Bons Secours Hospital

    How to Prepare for a Colonoscopy

    What is a colonoscopy? I have heard the word so...

OVER THE HILDA

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Lifestyle & Leisure
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Style & Beauty
  • Rants & Random Thoughts

Copyright © 2021 overthehilda.ie | web by cloud nine

TOP
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT