Seaside Joys by Tony Beatty

This is June and still very cold at times. We were in Courtown, Wexford for the weekend and it rained at night, there was also thunder and lightening that was very bad. There was no one in swimming or paddling.

I love the East Coast of Wexford. It always seems to be lovely and sunny in that area. That part of the country is very popular with Dublin people. They used to be delighted to get away from what we call the Concrete Jungle, (Houses everywhere).

In the last few years it has changed very much, with houses being built all over the place. The lovely fields and byways seem to be getting very scarce. I would say at the rate things are going, the whole county will be covered in a few years. I have been going to Courtown (Gorey) Co. Wexford for the last 25 years and always looked forward to getting away every weekend.

It was lovely to have peace and tranquility and be able to sit by the seaside on the lovely sand. Watching the fishing boats and the many different types of small crafts. It was also lovely to see the children swimming and jumping around in the waves and having a very good time. (I would feel like jumping in the surf myself)

I remember only a few years ago when the weather seemed to be a lot nicer. There was a group of friends went to the hotel on Saturday nights for a few drinks. We made up a lovely crowd who used to have a singsong.

We were after working hard all week and this was our only break away from the real world. It was not that we were good singers or big drinkers but it was great to let your hair down and relax. The family had their enjoyment all day and would be up early Sunday morning to go at it again. It was lovely to be fresh for the next week.

After a few weeks at the start of those early days we just met up and fell into getting on well and picking the couples we fitted in with best. Then we settled down and enjoyed the company. The different things started to come out (best singers, best jokers, pitch & putt players etc.) You enjoyed the singsongs and then started to include them at Birthdays and general get togethers.

One of the best things about these groups is you don’t get into their hair (annoy them). They are close but don’t know about your problems and you don’t know about theirs, unless they want to include you. ( In other words you’re close but not too close).

The group broke up over the years with some dying and others moving abroad. A big problem was also the hike in rents and upkeep. When we started the rent was 250 for 12 months. It is now E1035 and only 9 months is allowed even with the increase.

Another big problem is all the extras now. You cannot get anyone to fix the TV set or plumbing without the owner getting his commission. Other things like a wooden veranda on the outside. The owner gets his own man to supply and fit the material then he makes on both labour and material. The prices of these verandas vary from (E2000 to E3/4000) each.

In the 25 years we have got that much older and money is getting scarce. I don’t know How long our trips to Courtown will last

The children have all grown up and gone their special ways. It will be up to them to make their own memories of their own family’s seaside trips and holidays. But no one will ever be able to take away our memories and enjoyment of our seaside trips. Let’s hope they enjoyed them as much as I did in making them.