'The cinema was called 'The Regal'

'The cinema was called 'The Regal'

Avril Patterson remembers being a teenager and she describes the social activities she did then; dancing, visiting friends, church choir.

Avril Patterson

Trinity College Dublin

1944

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Avril Patterson

Adolescence and Early Adulthood

Life Story

Enniskillen,Co. Fermanagh

1940's

In 1944,I became a teenager. In those days it just happened. Nothing very exciting. Girls in general were not taught the facts of life. The country-side was a safe place to live,there was never any danger as were always in a crowd.On Saturday nights I went to the local dance in 'Spa Well Orange' Hall with my friend,Marie Turner and Kay Finlay. In the evenings I attended the local Methodist Church. We had senior choir practice and on a Wednesday evening junior choir practice,also Christian Endeavour.Occasionally my friend,Miss Kay Finlay,took me to the cinema in Enniskillen on a Saturday afternoon. The cinema was called 'The Regal'. I remember seeing,Anna and the King of Sian,also The Old Curiosity Shop. It was always interesting to see,Pathe News Reel as this gave a current account of what was happening throughout the world,in relation to the war. One year later,during school hours,were told the war was over. Another film I remember at this time was Madam Curie,she discovered radium.

Irish Research Council for Arts,Humanities & Social Sciences (IRCHSS)

Dr Kathleen McTiernan (Trinity College Dublin)

Dr Deirdre O'Donnell (Trinity College Dublin)