The Hogans of Glenart

When I met Jim in 1948, it was not long before I heard of the Hogans. Apart from parties, I knew he had often called on Sunday evenings to Glenart. There was a welcome and it was home from home for him. After a while I was taken along and of course felt the same welcome. Jim used to say the Hogans were "friends" as well as being first cousins.

I regularly met Sheila and Eileen, who worked in town then, for a snack lunch in a well known restaurant in Anne or Duke Street called "F.M." We indulged ourselves there with cheese and date sandwiches -- delicious! It had taken me quite a while to place the right people in their particular houses -- quite a few of the girls in Hogan / Browner / O'Kennedy / Edenderry families had the same name -- Una, Sheila, Nora and Eileen -- hence my confusion!

I did know of Una's wonderful professional and home cooking. I mention this because Una was one of our first visitors for supper to our flat in Elgin Road when we married. I can't remember what cake I produced with the cup of tea but I was mortified when the Vienna Roll I had cut and prepared earlier, mashed banana, had turned into a "black mess"! Obviously I had never heard of lemon juice! I felt I had not made a good impression!

Speaking of cakes, I soon learned to bake, but years later Bairbre was staying with us for a few days in Shantalla Road. She went home and told Fran that I baked HALFCAKES i.e. instead of one filling I apparently did two different toppings on the cakes!

Una's adult parties were wonderful occasions and her children's parties great -- with babies and carrycots the order of the day. It was so good for the younger generation to get together. Looking back, they also formed great relationships with their second cousins. Una has to be given credit for getting all these cousins together and ensuring that the future young families knew their relatives.

I can't finish without mention of the "Picnics" -- great get-togethers and Aidan and Marjorie hosted another get-together last Christmas, and we met the children's children -- the next generation - Una's get-togethers all over again.

Then there were the visits to Firhouse, not so often as we should perhaps, but always so pleasant and welcoming.

I remember many happy times and also many sad times as there were many Hogan funerals over the years. Now that over fifty years have passed, I should like to thank the Hogan cousins for all the love and kindnesses we shared.