'Top of the Hiller's'

This is Thomas Kent Street where my grandmother once lived, (third house from the right,) situated in an area known as 'The Top of the Hill' in Cobh, County Cork.

Some years back, one early morning, I strolled up the quiet street on my way to the local gym, as I often did a couple of times a week. But on that particular day I noticed not one car parked in the road, (a rare sight these days.) I literally ran home, got my camera, and took some photos.

I have finally got around to painting, what was once for me, a home away from home the way I remember it as a child. Countless times did I run up and down the street to my grandmothers house, where my Nan, (kitty O’Donoghue,) spent most of her days chatting to my mum, (Irene,) and my uncles, in front of the old stove, where they kept warm and cooked, (sausages mainly!) No better way to feed hungry children that spent their day’s roaming around the streets of Cobh.

From what I've recently heard there is only one person left from the original residents that lived here when I visited my nan throughout the 1970's up until her passing in the mid 80's.

I like to call those folk, 'The Top of the Hiller's', just like I've named this work of Art finished today.