THERE was a sweetie shop across from Saint Finian’s School, just above Leeson Street on the Falls Road. It had a large advertisement for Blue Bird toffees as part of its frontage. It was an attractive feature boasting an iconic blue bird in full flight. I call this fine establishment a sweetie shop because my recollection, which may be flawed, is that this shop sold only sweeties. They were there in large glass jars with big screw-on lids. Shelves upon shelves of them. Confections of all descriptions. Penny chews. Black Jacks. Rainbow Drops. Whoppers. Kali suckers. Love Hearts. Gubstoppers. Bull’s-eyes. Brandy balls. Walkers toffees. Sweetie lollies. Other toffees. Refreshers. Bubblegum. Honeycomb. Chewing gum. Chocolate peanuts. Chocolate raisins. Dolly Mixtures. Liquorice Allsorts. Spangles. Fruit gums. Fruit Pastilles. Fudge. Chocolate Buttons. Aniseed balls. Smarties. Lozenges. Cinnamon drops. Maltesers. Snowballs.