Looking Back: The death of Mrs Burke stall-holder

[Matt McNamara]

Leinster Leader Jan 18, 1969

Mrs. Mary Burke of Dublin Rd., Kildare who has died after a rather lengthy illness, was the last remaining stall-holder at Curragh Camp and her passing severs a 60-year association with the military establishment. She had operated a stall, under licence from the military authorities since the days of the British Army and for over 60 years had sold fruit and confectionery to the military at a temporary “shop” set up each day in the Barracks.
Relict of the last James Burke, she had been in the business since childhood when she first tended a stall for her mother on the camp. Ill-health forced her to retire some years ago. She was tremendously popular with the troops, particularly with the young recruits; down through the years she developed the facility of getting to know a surprising number of recruits quite well and to a great extent followed their fortunes, by word of mouth, as they progressed through other units of the Army. Generous to a fault, the straight dealing and invariable willingness to “help along” until pay-day, endeared her to the soldiers to such a degree that it became a sort of established code among her customers that Mrs. Burke should never be disappointed or “forgotten” on pay-day.
In her native Kildare, she was well known for her quiet, unassuming generosity, deep religious convictions and general cheerfulness in adversity; her passing is deeply regretted and it is certain that throughout the county soldiers and ex-soldiers who knew her when stationed at the Curragh Camp will pause to reflect, sorrowfully, when they learn of the death of the little old lady who for so many years, in all kinds of weather, was such a familiar cheery figure in the heart of the military establishment.
She is survived by her sons and daughters; interment took place in St. Conleth’s cemetery.



A story from the Leinster Leader, January 18, 1969 on the death of Mr. Mary Burke, Kildare and her 60 years as a stall holder in the Curragh Camp. Retyped by Aisling Dermody.

[kathyo]

Hi Matt
I enjoyed reading about Mrs Burke she was indeed a lovely woman
I remember her well sitting in MCDonagh Bks with her donkey selling her fruit and sweets
she was very well liked.
Rest in peace Mrs Burke
kathyo

[kellquinn]

Hi Matt
My memories of Mrs Burke.
11 O Clock every morning with the exception of Saturday and Sundays and those Holy Days of Obligation, Mrs Burke would be seen entering the Camp from the Kildare direction, up the top road passing the Magazine dressed in her black coat and Headscarf, perched on the little wooden seat of the Blue and Red painted cart, pulled by her faithful servant and friend Jack, the little grey Ass with the Black Cross along his back. Trundling down from the Top Road and passing the Glass House, turning left at Sandes, she then headed for Mc Donagh Barracks. Upon her arrival at Mc Donagh the Green Tarpaulin cover used to protect her wares from the elements, was taken off the cart she would off load her boxes of fruit, chocolates and sweets, always assisted by some passing Recruit or School Kid on his way to or from School. The reward was always a bright Red apple wrapped in tissue for their help. This task completed, she then took the cart to the back of Fag Ashes, unyoked the Ass and tethered him to a pole with a bag of straw to munch on during his stay. My favourite purchase from this kind gentle saintly woman if I had a tanner, was a bar of Cleeves Toffee, guaranteed to keep you chewing all day, and if the Tanner was not available it was a Flash Bar for 2d. As stated in the column of the Leinster Leader the Recruits could always borrow the odd few bob to tide them over for the fags for the remainder of the week or to go to the Pictures with a new found date.
This transaction was always recorded in her little Red 1/- notebook neatly tucked inside her coat pocket and was for her eyes only. At 3pm every working day and in all weathers she would then hitch Jack back up to the cart, load her wares and set off once again home to Kildare. When passing any Soldier she was always greeted by same with" Hello Mrs Burke how are you and Jack going? and nine times out of ten her reply was addressed to the greeting by " Still Going Strong" John, Jim, Tom or who ever it was that asked.
As I said a kind Gentle good praying lady, sadly missed then and now, and another legend of the Curragh. Sadly passed.
Regards
JKelly

[kellquinn]

The day we Stole Jack
It was a warm Summers day and School holidays were mid way through, when Andy Heffernan and I decided to Unyoke Jack from his tether and get a spin on him, using the rope as a reins I hopped on board and Andy gave him a slap on the butt with the palm of his hand and Jack took off, heading for the steep hill at the entrance to the Dead House (Morgue). flying he was and myself with arms and legs flaying all around. Oh no! he's heading straight for the steep drop and I afraid to let go, just at the edge he stops suddenly and over I go head first thumping and rolling down the hill, Jack looking over the edge as if to say serves you right, sore and bruised I get up and Jack heads faithfully back to his tethering area. Had I broken my neck in that fall I could just imagine my Epitaph.
Here lies the body of Joey John.
The Ass he stopped.......,
But! He went on........
Regards
JKelly

[afcmoore]

Hi Matt.
Mrs burke what a lovely lady RIP.
I remember her so well she knew everyone that passed through Mc Donagh.
For a minute i got a fright i thought the good lady had just passed away.
Joey Jack certainly made an ass of you He Haw he smirked.
Cheers
Ant.

[andybrennan]

Joey,

More good tales full of mirth,

Wishing your boy only good.

Andy

[joemurray]

I to remember Mrs Burke and her donkey and cart.I think there is one photo of her in one of the collections.Hats off to kellquinn for bringing it all back to me, in such vivid detail.Growing up on the camp Ma Burke as she was affectionately know was part of Camp life.She seemed to be there forever.

[Matt McNamara]

Hi Joe

I think this is the photograph that you were refering to. Maybe one of the forum members can confirm that this is Mrs Burke and Jack.

Matt

[kellquinn]

Hi Matt
I am afraid that is not a photo of Mrs Burke, a. She is to tall b. The Ass known as Jack was smaller and coloured Grey and C. The Cart is to high. It may be a photo of a Mrs Jempson a lady who sold vegetables in the Old Market Square beside O Donnells (now Centra) and throughout the various Married Quarters.
It would really be nice if we could actually dig up a photo of Mrs Burke.
Regards
JoeyK

[livenowpraylater]

i think you could be right kelly quinn, ma burk as i knew her never knew she sold veg only sweets ,she was the only person i ever seen write a soldiere name and what he had witout looking at her wrighting pad. but she had a donky & kart long before i knew her 63-66.
edward.

[andybrennan]

Hi Joey,

If that is not your little ass in the photo, not to worry with Christmas around the corner, your little donkey will be about.

Andy

[johnnykelly]

Re:Looking Back:The Death OF Mrs Burke stall-hol
Hi all
The picture of the lady and donkey and cart is not that of Mrs Burke, as She never wore a hat,but always a scarf with a long black coat to keep out the chills of the famous curragh breeze that could skin oneself, Mrs burke would always reward one who would go and collect Jack from the back of Fag Ashes, always an apple never a sweet as she always maintained that sweets were bad for the teeth but an apple was good for you,after selling her sweets chocolate and fruit she would head down to Pluncket bks to set up her stall and sell her wares down there in the afternoons, before heading home to Kildare town out the magazine road. never once in my memory did i ever hear a wrong word or a cross word pass from her lips, even whenever Joey did take a little exercise on Jack now and again.
FOND MEMORIES bye for now Johnny

[livenowpraylater]

Andy Brennan , you certanly know how yo bring a smile to my chops, i dont know one ass from another ass, all i knoww is we all have our cross to bear, god bless long may you continu to make us smile.
edward.

[andybrennan]

Hi Edward,

Me just having a bit of fun with Joey, it goes way back to when we were in school, he used to have some right fun with me, often after I stood up to read in class he would slip a thumb tack onto my seat and I would leap back up as quick, much to the mirth of the lads and the anger of the man with the bátha mór , have to admit I oft returned the favor, we were that sort of a happy class.

Andy

[rose5mcdonaghtce]

Hi All,

Would agree with Joey, the lady in the photograph is definitely not Mrs. Burke, too tall and slender, the hat also not her style, Mrs Burke was very fond of her headscarf.

My memories of Mrs Burke are watching her and Jack pass No. 5 on the way to her pitch. The Da bringing me over the odd day for an apple, did'nt like them very much and still don't, but it was the fact that it was from Mrs. Burke made it sweeter. Have to say on pay day, Friday when we got our 6d, I never gave her my custom, the Army Canteen Board got that straight over to the garrison to drive Chrissie Dunne RIP up the walls with "how much is this, that and the other".

Was in home last Sunday at Mass, a few familiar faces, but not many. Was thinking of Miss Carolan, Lizzie and Betty O'Brien, Fanny Tinsley, the Springates, Cashmans and all of those who sat in the same area as ourselves. Any one remember another lady that used to attend St. Brigids on a Sunday, she was tiny and had scolosis in her back, a very elegant, tiny lady with her wool coat and headscarf to match, think she travelled in from Maddenstown on Sundays.

Rose.