“What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life. To be with each other in silent unspeakable memories. This is the true harvest of love.” Here are two boards from the Donegall Road bridge celebrating family and long-lasting relationships. The one above includes photographs of local people from years gone by; the one below features the post-mistress Marlene Leslie and her husband George.

“Marlene & George Leslie’s retirement 2013. In 1976 Marlene started work in the Post Office at 421 Donegall Road. She became sub-post mistress in 1985. Marlene moved to the present location at 309-311 Donegall Road in April 2000. George joined her in 2001. While at 421 Donegall Road they were robbed nine times, fired at once, tied up once and experienced two attempted tiger robberies. Each Christmas the P1 classes of Donegall Road  Primary School come to post their letters to Santa – Marlene fowards on a return letter from Santa. Famous people who have visited the premises include: Barry McGuigan, Rose Neill and Lynda Bryans.” 

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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Here are three images from the Donegall Road bridge concerning factory girls – weavers, spinners, doffers, and millies. They feature two poems. The first is an anonymously written description of work in Lowell (Massachusetts) USA; the second is attributed to “Eliza Hamilton, Ulster weaver poet 1891”.

“When I set out for Lowell, some factory for to find, I left my native country and all my friends behind.
But now I am in Lowell and summon’d by the bell I think less of the factory than of my native dell.
The factory bell begins to ring and we must obey, and to our old employment go or else be turned away.
Come all ye weary factory girls, I’ll have you understand, I’m going to leave the factory and return to my native land.”

“I started work when I was eight, my childhood lost at the factory gate.
The flight of shuttle, noise and dust, the wage of labour not good enough.
My life was weaved outside my dreams, days always longer than they seemed.
I vowed the day that I was wed, my child would have a childhood.”

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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01845 X01847 X01838 The anonymous author of this poem was an Ulster immigrant girl of the 19th century working in a textile mill in Lowell, USA

“Waiting for storytime – Carnegie library – Donegall Road. There is always a moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in.” A panel from the Donegall Road bridge (south).

Previously: Another Carnegie library, on the Falls Road.

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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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