Typical slum housing of the period described in the book, "The Autobiography of a Liverpool Irish Slummy" by Pat O'Mara. The alleyways between the houses lead into the courts.

Synopsis:

Is the book an accurate portrayal of his life? There seems to be a fixation on prostitutes, drinks, race and religious questions, which could be "coloured" by American experience as the manuscript was written well after the events. He had a dreadful upbringing - violence, drink, poverty - the dark side of human nature (Conrad's " Heart of Darkness, mentioned in the book). There is an association with the Roches (Les Roche - wrote book called Down the Hatch), but only brief glimpses into actual life. Dockers conditions are described - union badges and casual work which O'Mara's father liked because it gave him the opportunity to drink! Also his experience with sailors, muggings and waylaying of foreign, Scandinavian sailors. Moving on to the First World War - a liberating experience, plenty of work - pawnshops, workhouses, TB, VD, school, religion and patriotism. The life of the Irish, anti-English, but religious questions are only touched upon. O'Mara's mother's family were called Molloy, his father's family were from Tipperary.

Structure of book:

1901 - Bridgewater St - Brick St - Gore St- Stanhope St - Coburg Dock.
Blacks, Chinese, Frederick St - Hawaiians - known as Flukey Alley - flatfaces - flatfish - flukes.

Mother's family from Ireland, lived in a big house.

The "barracks" in St James St, hard by St Vincent's, Father Flynn. Inter-marriage obviously quite common, blacks, Germans.
Nile St - Skerry's College, technical school for children. Paradise St - Peter Williamson's Clothing factory.

His mother married at 30 - she was after an inheritance. They lived in Heath St off London Rd (now gone), beatings and evictions common. Descriptions of the courts, deaths of children - beatings. Pub known as the Flag of all Nations where baiting of sailors took place ( Church in Pitt St known under same name). Compensation claims common occurrence.

Southern General Hospital - Hill St/ Caryl St, demolished 1970. Cycle of beatings, prison and Brownlow workhouse. Rose Heilbron's Emigrant House - Cunard Passenger Agency - Great George's Sq. (Heilbron - first woman QC).

Family moved to Pitt St then to Brick St - contracted TB- spitting on the wall. Polly Tucker only person not in a burial club. Schools campaign - jailing of parents. Pawnshops - Sunday boots, "Fish and Money" people (p48) St Vincent's, St Peter's - Seel St. Lime St (p54) Palais de Luxe.

The gang - Catholics, Protestant, Spanish, Gypsies, German, Irish. St Michael's - Pitt St. Cob Hall - Slater St/ Leece St, evangelical meetings. Ted Heaton's baths - Cornwallis St ( named after 1st Marquis - Cornwallis - Gov. General India, Governor Ireland, India).

Orangeman's Parade (p65). Communion, Coronation, TB - Margaret Beavan. Weekly wash in the baking pan mug. Mother drinking despite having taken the pledge. Descriptions of people and tenants. Number of illegitimate children, professional witnesses.

Bridgewater St - busy dock Rd. New Brighton - Pierrot shows, ballroom, American joy wheel. Pane Relief 7/6d. Reads Tin Works, Appleby's Flour, Phoenix Oil Mill. With war went to sea - stowing away to America.

Biographical material on Pat O'Mara: America - taxi driver - Baltimore - writer, American army - wrote Taxi Heaven.