JIM ROSE:

Jim was born in Red Island in 1870 and moved to Merasheen after he had married Catherine Ennis. Having first lived in Little Merasheen, he then moved to Soldier’s Point and settled in the Mooring Cove which was the home of the Rose's in Merasheen up to the last days of the community. His sons, Harold & John built their homes and raised their families in the Mooring Cove. When engines were first being installed in fishing punts, Jim Rose got a “PERFECTION". One rainy morning, as Jim was going out fishing, he had a close call - his boat was struck by lightning splitting his “PERFECTION” in two halves. He was lucky to escape with his life.

Jimmy and Nancy

(One of Bride Rose's many songs)

So late, so late one evening, being in the month of May,
We hoist our British colours and for Bristol sailed away,
We hoist our British colours, for Bristol we were bound,
The hills and valleys were lined with some pretty girls all round.

We had on board one sailor lad both jolly, brisk and gay,
He wrote his love a letter that he was going away.
He wrote his love a letter, gave her to understand,
That he was going to leave her bound for some foreign land.

And when she got that letter straight onto him did go,
Saying “Jimmy, dearest Jimmy, why do you treat me so,
It's seven long years or better since you've been loving me,
Oh stay at home dear Jimmy, prove true and marry me".

“If l should go some other lad is sure to take my place,
And that would be a scandal likewise a deep disgrace.
The king has sent for seamen bold and l for one must go,
And for life that very night l dare not answer no".

”Then I'll cut off my yellow locks, men’s clothing I'll put on,
And go along with you Jimmy to be your servant man.
If on the field of battle you do receive a ball,
I'll bandage up your bleeding wound if on me you do call."

"Your waist it is too slight, my love, your fingers they‘re too small,
To wait on me in battle, where many a brave man fall.
Where big guns they do rattle and musket balls do fly,
And silver trumpets sounded, to hear each dying cry.

Oh Nancy, lovely Nancy, those words have won my heart,
Let you and l get married this night before we'll part.”
This couple they got married and they sailed across the main,
We’ll wish them joy and happiness ‘til they'll return again.

BILL HYNES:

Bill was the father of Pats Hynes, whom we all remember - a very strong man. Bill Hynes was a great story teller who told a lot of spirit yarns and lies (not harmful lies). His father was a Northern man and a bigger liar than Billy. He once went turr hunting and with one shot filled a puncheon with turs tongues.