Opening chapter of the recollections of Séamus Ó Meallain, Blackrock, County Dublin, in which he recounts living in various locations in Dublin such as Meath Street, Kevin Street, Thomas Street, the Coombe, and Finglas; the strike of the Dublin United Tramway Company; the general conflict between employers and the working classes/trade unions; his father's involvement with politics, in particular, with James Connolly; his father's membership of Arm Cathargha na hÉireann; joining Fianna Éireann in Camden Street; witnessing O'Donovan Rossa's funeral; memories of the 1916 Rising and the Howth gun-running.