Mickey Marley was one of a kind. And so was his roundabout that had travelled many a mile through Belfast for over 50 years. Were you of the generation who paid a penny a ride or 10p?
The community will always fondly remember Mickey and his roundabout for bringing hours of endless fun to children, even throughout The Troubles.
Not only could Mickey and his roundabout be found on Belfast streets on a Saturday while you were out shopping for the day, he also made appearances at numerous fairs, car showrooms and paid a visit to the children at Muckamore hospital.
Read more: Photos that will transport you to 1970s Belfast
We spoke to Paul Valliday, who worked with Mickey for over nine years from 1980 to 1989. Paul describes him as a character who was very talented, played the accordion and the banjo.
He said he "always made sure we had food out working with him and always paid me well".
Paul tells us that Mickey came from the markets in Belfast and that his mother, Maggie, was very well known. Mickey's first horse was one he borrowed off the Murdocks in the markets - Tony a black and white bale horse.
When Paul first started working with Mickey, he was located on Grosvenor Road where he had a stable in the backyard. Joey was a big brown cob which Paul would take out on a Sunday and ride around the streets.
Mickey had gained a name for himself that even the BBC made a film about him in 1973 called 'The Hobby Horseman'. He also made an appearance on the Russell Hardy show where Mickey, his horse and the roundabout were on stage. Hardy asked Mickey when interviewed, "Where do you keep your money?" to which Mickey replied with the strongest Belfast accent, "Monte Carlo what's it to you!".
When Mickey was to retire, the folk group Barnbrack made a song about him and his roundabout which made him even more popular. When Barnbrack played his song on stage at the Grand Opera House, Mickey joined them waving his trilby hat around to a big round of applause.
Mickey eventually hung up his boots and donated his famous roundabout to the Ulster Folk and transport museum in 1996 where it is still being kept in storage to this day.
"He was a Belfast character which we will never see again".
READ NEXT:
- Nostalgic photos of County Down from years gone by
- From fashion to music - 10 things we all remember from 2003 in Northern Ireland
- 10 fascinating snapshots of Northern Ireland life in 1983
- How Belfast used to spend Saturdays in Smithfield
- Throwback photos show Northern Ireland 20 years in 2003
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To get the best of nostalgia delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our FREE newsletter here.
