{"id":46493,"date":"2025-08-05T22:01:16","date_gmt":"2025-08-05T22:01:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/46493\/"},"modified":"2025-08-05T22:01:16","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T22:01:16","slug":"christy-wynnes-beautiful-memoir-remembering-home-pays-homage-to-boyle-and-its-people-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/46493\/","title":{"rendered":"Christy Wynne\u2019s beautiful memoir \u2018Remembering Home\u2019 pays homage to Boyle and its people – News"},"content":{"rendered":"

The huge gathering at the launch of a new book \u2018Remembering Home\u2019 by well-known Boyle man Christy Wynne has left him \u201cin a pleasant state of shock\u201d as hundreds gathered at the Una Bhan shop in the town last week to meet the author and get their books signed.<\/p>\n

People gathered for hours to have a chat and remember old times with the hugely popular and affable Christy who has now left an indelible mark on his hometown with his memoirs.<\/p>\n

At 89-years-old Christy said that this new venture into the world of publishing has \u201cmade me feel 50 years younger; I\u2019m living the dream. The book has been the icing on the cake.\u201d His one wish is that readers enjoy it as much as he enjoyed writing it.<\/p>\n

\u2018Remembering Home\u2019 is full of cherished memories, filled with details and perhaps a fond farewell to the Boyle of old.<\/p>\n

The detail of recall is truly astonishing. He not only remembers the occasion or event but what the people said, how he felt and how those moments reflected on his life.<\/p>\n

\"ChristyChristy Wynne, author of ‘Remembering Home’ pictured at the launch of his book at the \u00dana Bh\u00e1n Tourism\/Boyle Craft Shop with his children Deirdre and Martin. Pic: Noreen Gaffney <\/p>\n

He sat down to talk to the Roscommon Herald about how the book came into being, recalling some of the best moments in life which he sums up, saying: \u201cLittle things mean a lot and they all add up. They make life worth living. I have such happy memories of Boyle; they keep me alive. Ninety nine percent of my life has been happy and enjoyable.\u201d He first started to write about his beloved town and growing up there at the end of 2000 when he started to consider retiring as a newsagent. He had spent over 50 years serving the public, a job he loved. However, he wondered what the future would hold and how he would fulfil those days.<\/p>\n

He tried the typical activities associated with retirement, fishing and golf but, as he said, he never got hooked or would find golf wearying after the fifth or sixth hole. He needed something else, something new that he had never tried before, \u201csomething to punch in the time.\u201d In essence he was really looking for a new career.<\/p>\n

It so happened that in the shop one day one of his customers began to recall the great blizzard that hit Boyle in 1947, and he was struck with an idea. Something had lit a spark within him, and he decided to write down his own recollection of this event. \u201cThat was the trigger,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

In total he wrote about 25 stories in a 10\u201315-year period. His family encouraged him to compile them together, after giving him a critique of what was good and what wasn\u2019t. However, he had no idea where to start in getting a book published and it was at this stage that his grandniece, Aodhbha, became involved.<\/p>\n

\"ChristyChristy Wynne, author of ‘Remembering Home’ pictured with Anne Lenehan, Cootehall at his book launch. Pic: Noreen Gaffney <\/p>\n

She had already carried out an interview with him as part of her degree course and so he gave her all his stories to see what she could do.<\/p>\n

\u201cAodhbha deserves 100 percent credit for this book. She was the main driving force.\u201d In his acknowledgement he said: \u201cWithout Aodhbha\u2019s initiative and drive they (the stories) would likely be lying dormant in an old sideboard or chest of drawers, unseen and dying of old age. Thank you Aodhbha for your time, your persuasion and infinite patience.\u201d The book itself contains an enticing mix of wonderful memories, beautiful poetry and stunning photos of times past in Boyle.<\/p>\n

Asked about his favourite piece he had to admit it is \u2018Diary of an Emigrant\u2019. He explained he spent 18 months in London from 1962 and 1963. This was a massive change for him where he was living on his own in a small bedsit for the first time. He also witnessed the worst winter to hit London at the time. The gas was kept low in his bedsit, which lead to many a cold night but the camaraderie of his county man helped him carve his way. They would often meet for a drink and tend the local dancehall where he recalled \u201c99 percent of the girls were trainee nurses.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

He also remembered the terrible smog where he would have to feel his way along a wall and where the bus conductor had to use a flash light to steer the bus driver into the bus stops. However, he worked near Hampstead Heath and enjoyed spending time there, waking in the footsteps of one of his favourite poets Keats.<\/p>\n

\"ChristyChristy Wynne pictured addressing a packed \u00dana Bh\u00e1n Tourism\/Boyle Craft Shop at the launch of his book ‘Remembering Home’ during Boyle Arts Festival. Pic: Noreen Gaffney <\/p>\n

He writes in his book: \u201cA day of reckoning arrived for me unexpectedly when a big decision had to be made; return to a small family business back home with potential as they say, or set down roots in London permanently. Playing around with the old proverb that man fulfils his destiny best in the place that gave him birth I packed the old leather suitcase with the metal buttons and headed back to the west of Ireland with my mind a mixture of hope and confidence.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

One of his favourite times of year was Christmas. He and his mother would travel around to different towns where the toy companies would have showrooms full of toys for buyers. He recalled their own shop being packed with toys of every description from Meccano sets, Matchbox toys, to annuals and Barbie dolls. He remembered the turkey market and the well-known Martin Daly who Christy writes, \u201cWhat Martin didn\u2019t know about a turkey wasn\u2019t worth knowing… it was field day for Martin, rushing about the market buying for his many customers, all the time carrying a fine bird under each arm.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

As stated the Great Blizzard may have started his writing but it is a story that will resonate with many people. In it he states: \u201cIt began on the evening of Monday, February 24th 1947; the greatest snowfall of the 20th century was about to hit my hometown of Boyle. Seventy years later, to the day almost, the event is remembered simply as \u2018The Blizzard\u2019 \u2026 I can safely describe it as the most unforgettable experience of my life. The phenomenon of nature that was about to unfold was, for me at least, about fun, snow battles, holidays from school and to borrow a quote from the poet Wordsworth: \u2018Bliss it was in that dawn to be alive, but to be young was very heaven.\u2019 And so, it was.\u201d The book outlines that the town began to look more like an outpost in Siberia with no trains or buses getting through for several day and its commercial life was at standstill.<\/p>\n

\"TheresaTheresa Kearney and her mum Kay Carty pictured at the launch of Christy Wynne’s book ‘Remembering Home’ during Boyle Arts Festival. Pic: Noreen Gaffney <\/p>\n

He writes of the streets being transformed into a natural ice rink, a funeral which saw the normal hearse being replaced by a horse and sleigh and the story of the missing postman John Johnny Gormley who Christy said \u201c\u2026 with hopes of finding him alive practically gone a vision in flesh and blood appeared at the Crescent. The missing postman had come back from the dead and was telling his story of survival to a crowd gathered around him.\u201d Some of his most heartwarming stories relate to his days as a child, playing in the then derelict King House, he and his friends finding their way into the Abbey to climb the high walls, and endless days swimming at Doon Shore. Fair day in was an amazing occasion with farmers crowding into the town, and pubs, from 7 in the morning and wagons of cattle being sent from the train station.<\/p>\n

Another claim to fame that he poses is the introduction of the Whacker to Boyle. He first came across the term in his aunt\u2019s pub in Longford and brought it back with him. \u201cIt\u2019s a half of half,\u201d he explained, delighted to have introduced the new lingo to the bar stools of the town.<\/p>\n

He acknowledged that there have been tough times in his life. He had married Teresa Carney, from just outside Elphin in 1971 but sadly she passed away in 1977 leaving Christy as a single father to Martin who was just over three years old and Deirdre who was just over one year of age.<\/p>\n

\"MayMay Moran, Crossna enjoys a quick look at ‘Remembering Home’ by Christy Wynne. Pic: Noreen Gaffney <\/p>\n

But Christy said as tough as that time was, he had family around him, and he was home. Being the youngest of five he received great support from his sister and brothers, and extended family. He said, \u201cLife evolves, you grow old with it, and you learn to adjust to it.\u201d He added, \u201cWe all have our sad times but the rectify themselves again. I have been blessed with good health, good friends and good family.\u201d He has seen many tough economic times, but his attitude is: \u201cWe ate well, and we slept well.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

And will there be any more writing for Christy? \u201cThe reservoir is empty. I\u2019m happy to read, do a bit of walking and go down and have a drink every now and again with friends.\u201d \u2018Remembering Home\u2019 is a wonderful memoir of more innocent times, albeit some very tough and hard times. It recalls carefree days of childhood, without an electronic device to be seen. The simple thing became the greatest adventure. But throughout this beautiful book is an attitude of making the best of what you have been given and more importantly making the best of each day \u2013 living life to the fullest.<\/p>\n

\u2018Remembering Home\u2019 is available for purchase on Lulubookstore.com, in Better Buy & Surprises and Una Bh\u00e1n. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The huge gathering at the launch of a new book \u2018Remembering Home\u2019 by well-known Boyle man Christy Wynne…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":46494,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[457,96,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-46493","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-books","8":"tag-books","9":"tag-entertainment","10":"tag-uk","11":"tag-united-kingdom","12":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46493","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46493"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46493\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46494"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46493"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46493"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46493"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}