one of the best chippers in Lisburn was Montgomerys in Castle Street im sure many will remember them for thier ice cream as well

Barney, once again, I agree. Whilst it was a bit further than Ginesis, I did buy both fish'n'chips and ice cream there, and they were (almost) as good as the Italians. In fact, the Ice cream was as tasty as Rossi's.

I remember, during the height of the Troubles, taking Mark, my grandson, into Montgomery's to have some ice cream. He was only about 3 years old.

We sat down at one of the little tables and ordered our ice cream. The waitress brought these shortly and we had just begun to enjoy them when I noticed a big van parked right outside the shop.

I grabbed Mark from his seat and trailed him out of the shop as quickly as I could. I ran, Mark in my arms, down Castle Street until I was far away from what I had imagined was a van containing a bomb.

For those of you who don't know, during the Troubles vehicles were not allowed to be parked on the streets, never mind right outside a shop.

In fact, the police did come and clear the area, but I was already away. It turned out some poor eejit from England had parked the van unknowingly. I'm sure he got a rollicking from the police.

I can laugh about it now but I never forget the fear that day, imagining the van blowing up and Mark and me in the middle of it.

I remember Mr and Mrs Forte very well,lovely people.Lena was my girlfriend.They also had two other siblings Joe and Francis

Harry ,your little item on Lisburn Italians caused me to go back through thread to the Emails of last year. It also made me recall a joke which was around in the mid forties."It was alleged that in 1943 a guy raced into a crowded bar in Lisburn, shouting "The Royal Ulster Rifles Have just entered Rome!" A voice piped up from amongst the crowd "did they get him". I dont think he meant Mussollini... ..Dont forget the Fusco"s...Frank

I remember Tommy Lewis, not always a nice man, laughing because one of the Fuscos was threatened with a woooden pistol, and forced to hand over money. Tommy could be an unpleasant individual, and I recall thinking that this was nothing to laugh about. That was in the fifties.

I have come across a memorial card in memory of Franesco Ginesi who died on 6th Feb 1964, if anyone is interested as it contains a photo of him.

I was born at the end of 1942 and remember P O W's in the Smithfield Market.On reflection I expect they were there probably in 46/47 or I doubt I would have remembered them.
I would be very interested to hear how long they were imprisoned there.

I mentioned it here before , where Hillhall school stands or once stood I remember in the late 40s the foundations of Nissan huts where it was said German POW s were kept and they were allowed to work for local businesses and farmers
donald

there was also a John fusco

Frank, Ginesis chips and fish were lovely and my mother and I always called in there for a fish supper when we were in town together. However, my preference was Montgomery's. Their chips and fish were freshly made while you waited at the counter. Even the batter was thin and crunchy. Then, next door, the ice cream parlour which Lisburn has never seen the likes of again. Spotless too.

Ann
did you get my mail?
donald

Donald, I'll have a look. I must warn you that I have a habit of deleting mail very quickly and hope that isn't the case where you are concerned. I'll look in a minute and let you know.

Donald, I found your mail in the Trash and have replied to you. I am very careless as regards mail, especially when I had so much after coming back from Donegal. I am inclined to scan them very quickly and delete. I don't usually get anything important so tend to get careless when reading over the mail. Anyhow, I have replied and many thanks for the information. I appreciate it. Donald, everyone will now be wondering what we are on about.!!!!!!

Ann and Donald

Hmm......

Beano

Love this post brings back so many fond memories

Beano, now don't be jealous or I'll tell Doreen on you. It was all very sad, actually. A mutual friend was buried last week, but Donald wasn't sure if it was the same person we both had met just a couple of years ago. Sadly, it was. In fact, I can give the name of the person we were discussing. It was a former colleague, Tony Stephenson, who worked in the Engineering Dept in Barbour's. I first met him in 1961 when he and I had just commenced work in Hilden; apparently Donald went to the Tech with Tony. Sadly, he was diagnosed with lung cancer in April, so he didn't last too long. May he rest in peace.

Dabs,


Was that pub called Napiers?.



Pat