Letters to the Editor: Memories of Carolan's Garage

(Editor, Meath Chronicle)

Dear sir - After all these years, it seems Carolan's Garage in Dunshaughlin is to disappear (More change for streetscape of Dunshaughlin, John Donohoe, Meath Chronicle, 12th September).

The first boxing tournament held in Dunshaughlin took place there in 1945. It was a match between Finglas and Dunshaughlin boxing clubs. The boxers togged out across the road in an old shed at the back of Bren Murray's public house. Leo and Joe Carolan lived next door to the garage.

Leo was the younger brother. He sold the daily newspapers from the front door of his house. Usually the Independent and the Evening Mail. This was before the Evening Herald. Joe was quiet and a bit eccentric.

Before moving to the courthouse the garage was the training quarters for the boxing club. We would often be in the middle of a training session when Joe would arrive at the door and order everybody out, giving us just enough time to grab our clothes and leg it out the door.

Carolan's Garage could loosely be described as the local town hall - everything happened there. The various travelling shows were regular visitors. They would usually stay three or four nights before moving on. I remember my brother Joe being paid a half crown to do a bit part in one of their productions. Those were the days!

Yours,

Seamus Foley,

Dunshaughlin.