The old rag and bone merchants

[unityflats]

These were hardy people they worked through all weathers.

[tboy]

These were hardy people they worked through all weathers.

er ahem etc. the merchants didn't work out in all weathers it was the likes of yerself dear

[johnnymac]

The rag and bone men of yesteryear were real characters. The one that I remember best was Dennis (Dinny) Hanna. He had to push the cart himself when the horse wasn't well. In the late 1950's he was a common sight in west Belfast dispensing balloons or sometimes cups for bundles of rags. Later he would sort the clothing into:

1. Good quality stuff that could be sold on through a clothes dealer.
2. Woollen garments that could be sold to a local merchant who also accepted scrap.
3. Rags that were only worth about 20% of the price of woollens.

But for us kids it was Dinny's horse that was the main attraction. We loved to grab handfuls of grass to feed it.

[moondog2]

SAMMY DANKER RAG STORE IN THOMAS STREET WAS OUR LOCAL

[unityflats]

The old rag and penny men were legends

[patrick clarke]

paddy caulfield..he lived next door to us in letitia street..he was a quiet lonly man who liked a drink

[Janinejay94]

Dennis (dinny hanna) was my granda from Ballymurphy Crescent, so good to see he’s still remembered and I appreciate hearing so many lovely stories about him and especially being able to tell my mum about all the lovely stories people remember about her dad, if anyone’s got any photos or any other stories please do send in would love to hear more

[Allcut]

Dennis (dinny hanna) was my granda from Ballymurphy Crescent, so good to see he’s still remembered and I appreciate hearing so many lovely stories about him and especially being able to tell my mum about all the lovely stories people remember about her dad, if anyone’s got any photos or any other stories please do send in would love to hear more

I knew your grandfather very well and all the family, I'm trying to remember the oldest daughters name but it's been a long time, Mary is the name that keeps coming to me but I can't recall, I lived at number 2 Ballymurphy Drive and if your mum was the oldest girl she will remember me very well, your grandmother would always open the window when I was passing and ask me if "Want a wee feg son?" Lovely lovely family 

[Janinejay94]

Awk that’s good to hear some we stories all about them the oldest girl in the family was Bride then the second I think your talking about is Marie and the 3rd one is my mummy Jeannie, awk it’s good to hear about some we memories and people still remember especially about her mummy as she passed away when my mummy was at a young age, my mummy said was you one of the cackles

[Allcut]

Awk that’s good to hear some we stories all about them the oldest girl in the family was Bride then the second I think your talking about is Marie and the 3rd one is my mummy Jeannie, awk it’s good to hear about some we memories and people still remember especially about her mummy as she passed away when my mummy was at a young age, my mummy said was you one of the cackles

Hi, no, I knew Bridie very well, just couldn't recall the name, I was one of the Corrs, my mother's name was Florrie she was a great friend.of your grandmother, your grandparents lived beside the Dickson's, beside them was McCullough, and just across from them was us, all good neighbours 

[Janinejay94]

Yes my mummy said she knows use now your mummy and her mummy where very close friends,  she said is there a Danny in your family she just about remembers she’s not to sure lol

[Allcut]

Yes my mummy said she knows use now your mummy and her mummy where very close friends,  she said is there a Danny in your family she just about remembers she’s not to sure lol

Lol...yes, I'm Danny, glad she remembers me and hope that everyone is keeping well in these uncertain times

[Janinejay94]

Yes she says she remembers you and you had a sister too she remembers, she said your mummy sat in her house many nights with her mummy with cups of tea and she remembers your mummy knitting she loved knitting and your mummy tried to learn my mummy lol she said she was a lovely woman, she said the clan is doing great hope use are also doing good at these uncertain times

[Allcut]

Yes she says she remembers you and you had a sister too she remembers, she said your mummy sat in her house many nights with her mummy with cups of tea and she remembers your mummy knitting she loved knitting and your mummy tried to learn my mummy lol she said she was a lovely woman, she said the clan is doing great hope use are also doing good at these uncertain times

Yes, I had two sisters both unfortunately passed away now, my mother.was great at the knitting, alway a pair of knitting needles on the go lol could knit for Ireland she loved it, I was thinking and it's Bridie I remember very well, blonde hair if I've got it right, but I can assure you that the whole family were a lovely family and that "Wee feg" from your grandmother bwas always very welcome lol 

[Allcut]

Please give my regards to your whole family, especially Bridie