Polish Coal

The coal industry here in Ireland has gone through a huge decline in the last 2 decade. In major urban areas only smokeless coal is allowed and even then many people have gas or oil central heating. The days of frequent smog warnings are a thing of the past thankfully.

Here in Blarney some will burn any old thing in their fireplaces. On cold still winter evenings the smell of smoke pervades the area and the only thing we can do is close our windows to keep it out. That’s one of the downsides of living outside the city.

Years ago Monahan Road was the center of coal distribution in Cork. Suttons and Sheehan & Sullivan’s were two of the major players. Suttons even occupied that big office block at the end of the Grand Parade. My Dad worked in that office for years and he took us in there a few times. Still remember those occasions!

I also remember the bags of Polish Coal out in the back of the house. It was described as “the best coal”, though I can’t say for sure why.

Sheehan & Sullivan’s is gone now. Last time I drove past there was an office block on the site I think. Suttons is still around but owned by Bord na Mona now, last I heard. They left the offices in South Mall a long time ago.

Funny the memories a bag of coal can drag up.