I vividly remember returning home from our last trip to Ireland with sunshine in my pockets and the enthusiasm of a child anticipating Christmas morning! It was time to explain every step we had taken, each thought we had had and volunteer a tidbit about everyone we had met during our visit and place these amazing memories in a brand new Blog site I created just for this purpose.
Between now and St. Patrick's Day, March 17, my initial three stories of 'MOVING ON.....2013' will be spotlighted. Most Bloggers realize that as time goes by, our archived stories need to be dusted-off a little bit and reintroduced as our 'Humble Beginnings.'
I see Ireland as a rich, artistic performance, alive with nuance, as in, forty shades of green! Please enjoy Part I, and my first Blog contribution, simply entitled, Adrian, dated October 18, 2013.
ADRIAN
First in a series.....
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| Craggy Island Bed and Breakfast |
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| Adrian and Small Pipes |
.....as seen through my eyes!
By: Jacqueline E. Hughes
We were one day away from heading to Shannon Airport and going back home to Orlando, yet a million thoughts away from having to board a plane.......
The gas tank was just shy of full after filling up the night before at the local Topaz petrol station in Oughterard, our home-away-from-home for the last week. As anyone knows who travels, especially to places they hold near and dear to their hearts, the final few days of the visit can do wild and crazy things to one's psyche......such as, extensive/obsessive picture taking. As if by so doing, one could permanently retain, not only the image of where you are, but the true spirit and essence of each breath you take while you are there and be able to digitally bring it home to stay with you forever. Or, travel roads you didn't expect to on this particular trip except for the fact that "Memory Lane" keeps calling with the promise of prolonging your departure a bit longer.
Well, both of these phenomena stroked our heart strings as surely as a red headed lass deftly playing her harp.
So, heading south on the N59 towards Galway City, we made a plan to veer west into The Burren and make our way through Ballyvaughn and Lisdoonvarna with the destination of Doolin in mind. Doolin, in County Clare, sits just off the Atlantic coastline and seven years ago it was our jumping-off point for a ferry ride to the amazing Aran Islands. We spent a few hours....okay, quite a few hours, back when, in Gus O'Connors Pub in Doolin bending an elbow with a pint or so of Guinness and listening to Traditional Irish music with tears in our eyes but joy in our hearts and gratefully sharing the experience with good friends who joined us on this visit.
This time, however, we knew our time here was limited and opted for a wine and cold sandwich picnic replete with a huge 'rock table' overlooking the sea and the Aran Islands to the west and the Cliffs of Moher nestled comfortably at our backs, protecting and supporting us. Amazing!
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| Ferry Boats to Aran Islands |
As we ate and drank, talked and devoured the scenery, we were thinking the entire time about Adrian O'Connor..... You see, we fell in love with Adrian seven years ago while staying at Craggy Island. Adrian and his beautiful wife, Beth, ran this cozy, rustic farmhouse as a B&B that happened to be our final two night's stay back then. Nestled high on a hill and surrounded by fields and trees, livestock and long, winding roads just begging to be walked down, the wind off the Atlantic circled the little establishment as its curled and chilly fingers held it firmly within its grasp. Beth would offer you hot tea to stave off the chill and Adrian, a local renowned musician, would whisper stories about County Clare or enlighten you with the emotional and personal reasoning behind the music he had written, arranged and produced on his first CD entitled......Often I Think About Doolin. We brought this particular CD with us on this trip to play in the rental car as we traversed the narrow roads of Connemara and Mayo knowing that Adrian's musical lilt would keep us safe.....comfortable.
With the final sip of the delicious Rosé we'd discovered and purchased at the Country Choice Shop in Nenagh, County Tipperary, after landing at Shannon Airport our first day, our plan was to find Adrian before heading to Bunratty for the night. I knew that he and Beth had given up the B&B when trying to make reservations there a few months ago for our last night's stay this trip, and could not. The local proprietor of the Traditional Irish Music Shop in Doolin told us Adrian still lived at Craggy Island......I love that the Irish name their homes......but had been ill and decided to retire. He instructed us to take this bend around that rock and turn left beside those ruins and then follow the lane to the right of that church.....and, we might find him at home! So, we did.
Amazing how you truly never forget the places that comfort you. True, perhaps we'd taken a wrong turn at several of the afore mentioned landmarks, and keeping in mind that we really needed to use up most of our gas considering car rentals in Ireland provide you with an initial full tank and ask you to bring it back nearly empty, meandering the countryside was a totally positive adventure. But, like a trained homing pigeon, we made yet another right-hand turn and victory was ours as Craggy Island sat majestically on her hilltop shimmering in the afternoon sunlight.
As we pulled into the familiar driveway, we didn't know what to expect. Instantly a very thin individual emerged from a shed at the back of the house and as he walked into the light we could recognize Adrian's fine facial features and elongated, slim musician's hands......
Adrian was in a three and a half year cancer remission with the toll of the disease and its chemical cure taking bits and parcels physically out of this beautiful man. Despite this, his smile could beam pure light into the darkest day and his zest for life was not hidden by the scars of his illness. I asked him if he continued to write more music and he told us he was working on several new songs and hoped to compile a new CD soon. It was nothing short of pure joy to see that his passion and spirit continued to soar above the clouds. Even though the Irish Hurling rematch for the championship title between County Clare and County Cork was due to begin shortly (Adrian was born in Cork but has resided in Clare most of his life), he invited us in for tea........always the gracious host! Sadly, we declined, not wanting to interrupt the start of the game for him.
Suddenly Adrian stood and told us he'd be right back, as if remembering the kettle was on and it had been whistling a merry tune in his kitchen all this time. We knew he'd truly remembered us when he returned within moments carrying a small set of pipes that appeared as old and craggy as our dear friend. Adrian promised to play the pipes for us seven years ago but we'd all been too busy for this private concert to take place. Now, through his illness, after five grandchildren had been born to us and, as sure as the salty Atlantic winds continue to lash relentlessly across this amazing coastline......, Adrian's music washed over us like a Mother's sweet breath as we stood swaying back and forth......promise fulfilled.
Okay, so I could barely make out his face four songs later due to the tears freely flowing from my eyes. However, I knew that at that precise moment in time, as sure as the Irish sun was shining down upon us, as precious as the memory of a grandchild's kiss, as blissful as an invigorating walk through a green-splashed forest on a Sunday morning.....we were in the midst of a power so great and so strong, it was bigger than all of us, yet it was all of us combined! Love isn't complicated. You just have to be aware of it with every breath you take. My 'tears of happiness' equaled nothing short of pure peace and solace in my life. Thank you my friend.......
I asked Adrian if I could have my picture taken with him and, to my delight, a huge smile spread across his stubbly face like an Irish rainbow spreads across a bright blue sky after the rain. We missed seeing the vivid arc of a rainbow this trip because the sun blazed across this magical land for most of our stay. So, capturing his smile was exceptionally sweet.
Picture taken. Destination Bunratty imminent. E-mail addresses exchanged with promises of new work forthcoming. All good. All perfect in an imperfect world. Is this even possible? That day it was.
Many things crossed my mind as we were pulling out of Adrian's gravel driveway and waving good-bye to our friend and soulmate. Would we be blessed by his talent and hear his melodic voice again on a new CD in the near future? I certainly wanted to believe we would because Adrian, at that point, epitomized the perfect combination of Faith, Hope and Love within mankind. He was a survivor and possessed talent beyond compare. He made you believe in yourself. And, his unselfishness spread warmth and kindness to the four corners of County Clare and beyond.
As we made our way down the narrow road, I pictured him turning on his television to watch the game and hoped that Clare came through with flying colors. The next thing I did was give a huge shout out: "Up Clare!!"
Post Script: For all of you Irish Hurling fans out there, this is an update. County Clare proudly holds this year's title of Champions!
As we ate and drank, talked and devoured the scenery, we were thinking the entire time about Adrian O'Connor..... You see, we fell in love with Adrian seven years ago while staying at Craggy Island. Adrian and his beautiful wife, Beth, ran this cozy, rustic farmhouse as a B&B that happened to be our final two night's stay back then. Nestled high on a hill and surrounded by fields and trees, livestock and long, winding roads just begging to be walked down, the wind off the Atlantic circled the little establishment as its curled and chilly fingers held it firmly within its grasp. Beth would offer you hot tea to stave off the chill and Adrian, a local renowned musician, would whisper stories about County Clare or enlighten you with the emotional and personal reasoning behind the music he had written, arranged and produced on his first CD entitled......Often I Think About Doolin. We brought this particular CD with us on this trip to play in the rental car as we traversed the narrow roads of Connemara and Mayo knowing that Adrian's musical lilt would keep us safe.....comfortable.
With the final sip of the delicious Rosé we'd discovered and purchased at the Country Choice Shop in Nenagh, County Tipperary, after landing at Shannon Airport our first day, our plan was to find Adrian before heading to Bunratty for the night. I knew that he and Beth had given up the B&B when trying to make reservations there a few months ago for our last night's stay this trip, and could not. The local proprietor of the Traditional Irish Music Shop in Doolin told us Adrian still lived at Craggy Island......I love that the Irish name their homes......but had been ill and decided to retire. He instructed us to take this bend around that rock and turn left beside those ruins and then follow the lane to the right of that church.....and, we might find him at home! So, we did.
Amazing how you truly never forget the places that comfort you. True, perhaps we'd taken a wrong turn at several of the afore mentioned landmarks, and keeping in mind that we really needed to use up most of our gas considering car rentals in Ireland provide you with an initial full tank and ask you to bring it back nearly empty, meandering the countryside was a totally positive adventure. But, like a trained homing pigeon, we made yet another right-hand turn and victory was ours as Craggy Island sat majestically on her hilltop shimmering in the afternoon sunlight.
As we pulled into the familiar driveway, we didn't know what to expect. Instantly a very thin individual emerged from a shed at the back of the house and as he walked into the light we could recognize Adrian's fine facial features and elongated, slim musician's hands......
Adrian was in a three and a half year cancer remission with the toll of the disease and its chemical cure taking bits and parcels physically out of this beautiful man. Despite this, his smile could beam pure light into the darkest day and his zest for life was not hidden by the scars of his illness. I asked him if he continued to write more music and he told us he was working on several new songs and hoped to compile a new CD soon. It was nothing short of pure joy to see that his passion and spirit continued to soar above the clouds. Even though the Irish Hurling rematch for the championship title between County Clare and County Cork was due to begin shortly (Adrian was born in Cork but has resided in Clare most of his life), he invited us in for tea........always the gracious host! Sadly, we declined, not wanting to interrupt the start of the game for him.
Suddenly Adrian stood and told us he'd be right back, as if remembering the kettle was on and it had been whistling a merry tune in his kitchen all this time. We knew he'd truly remembered us when he returned within moments carrying a small set of pipes that appeared as old and craggy as our dear friend. Adrian promised to play the pipes for us seven years ago but we'd all been too busy for this private concert to take place. Now, through his illness, after five grandchildren had been born to us and, as sure as the salty Atlantic winds continue to lash relentlessly across this amazing coastline......, Adrian's music washed over us like a Mother's sweet breath as we stood swaying back and forth......promise fulfilled.
Okay, so I could barely make out his face four songs later due to the tears freely flowing from my eyes. However, I knew that at that precise moment in time, as sure as the Irish sun was shining down upon us, as precious as the memory of a grandchild's kiss, as blissful as an invigorating walk through a green-splashed forest on a Sunday morning.....we were in the midst of a power so great and so strong, it was bigger than all of us, yet it was all of us combined! Love isn't complicated. You just have to be aware of it with every breath you take. My 'tears of happiness' equaled nothing short of pure peace and solace in my life. Thank you my friend.......
I asked Adrian if I could have my picture taken with him and, to my delight, a huge smile spread across his stubbly face like an Irish rainbow spreads across a bright blue sky after the rain. We missed seeing the vivid arc of a rainbow this trip because the sun blazed across this magical land for most of our stay. So, capturing his smile was exceptionally sweet.
Picture taken. Destination Bunratty imminent. E-mail addresses exchanged with promises of new work forthcoming. All good. All perfect in an imperfect world. Is this even possible? That day it was.
Many things crossed my mind as we were pulling out of Adrian's gravel driveway and waving good-bye to our friend and soulmate. Would we be blessed by his talent and hear his melodic voice again on a new CD in the near future? I certainly wanted to believe we would because Adrian, at that point, epitomized the perfect combination of Faith, Hope and Love within mankind. He was a survivor and possessed talent beyond compare. He made you believe in yourself. And, his unselfishness spread warmth and kindness to the four corners of County Clare and beyond.
As we made our way down the narrow road, I pictured him turning on his television to watch the game and hoped that Clare came through with flying colors. The next thing I did was give a huge shout out: "Up Clare!!"
Post Script: For all of you Irish Hurling fans out there, this is an update. County Clare proudly holds this year's title of Champions!
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| Adrian an Me |
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