When the embers of innocence were fanned into flames of fury

Danny Morrisson

For weeks beforehand we would go out into the streets of Andersonstown (later, the Falls after I moved there in 1963) chanting, "any oul wood for the bonfire". We collected anything flammable, and would proudly compete with the next district to see who had the biggest fire.

In the run-up to the feast day, the big lads would stay out until the early hours to prevent a raid or some sabotage by >rivals.