Bernard O'Shea: What 'things' will my kids remember me by? I hope it's not my phone chargers

Certain treasured items were on display in every Irish house. These days it's bizarre to see a raging fire on the telly where once the fire actually burned

Bernard O'Shea. Photograph Moya Nolan

For as long as I can remember, certain treasured items were on display in every Irish house. But times and fashion has changed, and it's out with the old and in with the minimal.

I distinctly remember my mother collecting Belleek Pottery. With their Aran pattern and small green shamrock designs that hung on walls or were mounted on dressers. Every time I would see them on display in a house or when we were allowed into the "good room", I always asked myself the same question. "Why don't we use them?"