From "Family Plot" 2005, by Daragh Carville

FRANK                                   True as God, love. True as God. What I wouldn’t give, what I wouldn’t give to tick a drive into town. Park the motor at the Shambles Corner an it market day, mebbe. The place hummin with farmers an dealers. Both sides of the house, not a bother on them. Tick a walk up the town then. Lower English Street, past the Seven Houses. Into the Post Office, do a bit a’business. Pass the time a’day with yer man at the door. ‘Howye Frank, Jaysus but you’re lookin well. I mean, under the circumstances, like.’ ‘Never felt better, Peadar, never felt better.’ ‘Damn but I was desperate sorry to hear about you, Frank. Sorry for your trouble.’ ‘Ah not a bother, Peadar. Didn’t take a fidge outa me so it didn’t. Mind you, I’ll tell you one thing, though, I’ll tell you one thing for nothin. It’s good to be back, so it is. It’s good to be back. In the land of the livin.’

A moment.

                                               An on out again. Top a’College Street, Jossie White’s

                                               down on your left hand side there. And on through the

                                               barricade, Upper English Street. Market Street an the

                                               view of the old cathedral. Does your heart good, so it

                                               does. Down Thomas Street, a bite to ate in Cafolla’s, an

                                               ice cream, a poke or a ninety nine, and on up Ogle Street

                                               atein it as you go. Stop in for a pint at Red Ned’s or the

                                               Toby Jug. Oh that would be somethin. To see the oul

                                               town. To see the oul crowd again. ‘Frankie boy! The

                                               man himself!’ ‘Aw, lads, lads.’ ‘Pull up a pew there.

                                               Isn’t that a brave day.’ ‘Tis now, tis. A powerful

                                               day altogether. Make a body glad to be alive.’

A moment.

                                               This is what I remember. This is what I – cling to. 

Credit: Daragh Carville

Video by Jenny McKay (QUB Student)