A series of essays....
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| WHETHER IT'S A PINT OR A HALF PINT OF GUINNESS, IT ALWAYS TASTES SO MUCH BETTER IN IRELAND!!! |
....as seen through my eyes!
By: Jacqueline E. Hughes
Stealing a few moments down in my daughter’s comfy basement, I am sitting on their bright red sectional, resting my bone-weary legs and listening to the soothing sounds of both washer and dryer creating their magic as our traveling clothes tumble and roll inside. Hopefully, our machines will be hooked-up and operable by the end of this week. The plumber is at our little yellow cottage working on that right now. In the meantime, this basement solitude suits me just fine!
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| MICHAEL, MARSHA, DAN, AND ME! |
Dan and I returned from our trip to Scotland, Wales, and Ireland on Monday having shared amazing experiences with our traveling companions and good friends, Marsha and Michael. Unlocking the front door at eleven o’clock at night prompted us to forget about everything else but sleep after a long day of travel. It always amazes me that you can wake-up in, let’s say, Quin, Ireland, and be in your own bed later that same day (night)!
Within life’s consistent identification of ‘first times’ and ‘last times,’ spanning the few, short years between birth and old age, we spend precious little time reconnecting with what makes us happy, comfortable, and rich with emotion and memories. I find that returning to a place where all of the elements involved make you feel hopeful and alive works wonders for my weary soul and peace of mind. Returning to Ireland is a prime example.
Some world travelers add-up on their ‘travel size’ abacus how many places they’ve visited; how many countries they’ve stepped foot upon. And, I see nothing wrong with this from an aesthetic point of view. I have chosen to be less concerned with compiling numbers and more excited about remembering meaningful experiences. Returning to a place I enjoyed so much the first time brings me back home to the land, places, memories, and (most importantly) the people I’ve come to call my friends! With each return visit, new friends are made, as well, and are neatly tucked into our hearts as we promise to keep in touch via the Internet in one way or another; assuring each other that our door would always be open for possible future visits.
I began my Blogging experience five years ago and entitled it ‘Moving On: 2013’ for many good reasons. I was moving on with my life’s journey and I wanted to share my adventures with others. I called myself ‘The Traveling Keyboard’ because my i-Pad was (is) my friend and faithful companion. Having solidified the fifth year of publishing my stories this past September, I am celebrating the occasion by reminiscing about the gentleman and his lady who were the subjects of my maiden essay. I am proud of the 235 posted stories I’ve composed since then!
Dan and I met Adrian and Bev in Doolin, County Clare, in September of 2006. And then, dropped by to speak with Adrian again in the autumn of 2013 before flying home from Shannon Airport.
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| CRAGGY ISLAND B&B |
Well, my story goes something like this....
“Hello there. I’m Adrian. My wife, Bev, should be around shortly,” said the man with the engaging smile and an Irish lilt that bespoke of his rich Irish ancestry. “Come in. Come in and I’ll show you around the house before taking you up to your room to settle in.”
It was the final two nights of this particular Ireland visit as we followed along the Wild Atlantic Way in constant pursuit of lively pubs and Traditional Irish Music. We soon discovered that both were to be found in this colorful, little village that hugged the Atlantic Ocean. Doolin is embraced by the popular Cliffs of Moher to the south and the quaint Aran Islands further out to the west that dreamily drift near the horizon and stand guard to the entrance of Galway Bay.
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| THE CLIFFS OF MOHER RESIDE IN THE BACKGROUND |
After being warmly introduced to Bev and told that she would be making us a traditional Irish breakfast in the morning, Adrian preceded us up to the second floor to our comfortable room. Adrian and Bev were the proud owners of Craggy Island Bed & Breakfast, a peaceful place in a scenic location with sea views and close to Ballyvaughan, Lisdoonvarna (Matchmaker Festival), The Burren, and home to Traditional Irish Music. My research showed that Adrian held deep roots within the Trad Music scene and often played his guitar in local jam sessions at Gus O’Connors Pub in the village. Gus O’Connors is a Traditional tavern that originally opened in 1832 and offers delicious Irish food and nightly live music. Definitely a place after my own heart!
I’d read that Adrian O’Connor, our host, had released one CD, Often I Think About Doolin, and soon learned that he had arranged each song himself and was considered a local hero of sorts because of his talent and major contribution to the Doolin Trad Music lifestyle. Both he and Bev were certainly enthusiastic enough and very generous with their time and we were offered a private guitar session in their parlor at Craggy Island by Adrian himself. Explaining each song with his generous heart, we were overwhelmed by his personal sharing of history and music and candid talks about his family’s involvement concerning the Irish War Of Independence.
Saying good-bye was very difficult for me. It was as though we’d been taken in by an Irish family who had allowed us into their inner circle with open arms and I found that relinquishing that new found joy, even after only two days, required much effort on my part.
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| THE CHEERFUL PARLOR AT CRAGGY ISLAND B&B |
“You’ll be back once again,” their kind voices chimed in agreement. Their words floated around us like the myriad of local musical instruments that collected and vibrated our very beings for the last two evenings: the bodhran (drum), fiddle, flutes, tin whistle, banjo, spoons, uilleann pipes, mandolin, guitar, and button accordion, to name a few. Our lower thighs were sore from the constant tapping on them in order to keep up with the exotic rhythms surrounding us for hours on end. “Yes, we will be back...soon,” was all we could reply. I waited to be seated in the car before the tears welled up in my eyes obscuring my vision for miles.
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| BEV, ADRIAN, AND MYSELF IN GUS O'CONNORS PUB |
We tried to make reservations at Craggy Island seven years later. I was informed that it was no longer a Bed & Breakfast and that the owners had given up the business of welcoming strangers and long lost friends into their home due to family illness.
Exactly how I found out eludes me at the moment. However, where there is a will...there is a way and I discovered that Adrian had been diagnosed with cancer not too long after we had left seven years earlier and had spent quite some time in treatment. With all of this going on in their lives, they decided to close up shop and concentrate on Adrian’s health.
Falling in love with Doolin, County Clare, and Adrian and Bev was the easiest thing we would ever do. Craggy Island drew us back again after seven, long years and we found ourselves navigating the hillsides of Doolin searching for the past we missed and desired so much. Memory led us back to the labyrinth of small, country lanes where the beautiful white, two-story house stood guard at the top of a hill.
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| ADRIAN PLAYING THE PIPES EXPRESSLY FOR US... |
Slowly driving by in order to soak in the feeling of coming home, we noticed a slight looking figure sitting on the wall at the side of the house and decided to pull in and inquire, just on the off chance, if either Adrian or Bev were at home.
Suddenly, we found ourselves face to face with Adrian himself looking frail and quite surprised by our presence. Reintroducing ourselves while apologizing profusely for interrupting him, we could see in his eyes that he remembered our faces and gradually felt more comfortable with us. Being Adrian and the lovely man that once told us we’d be back to Doolin once again, he offered us a cuppa, which we kindly refused. Forever the gracious host!
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| HAPPINESS! |
As if looking directly into my soul, he told me to stand there and don’t move and that he’d be right back. Moments later Adrian returned with his small bagpipes in hand and gingerly reseated himself on the stone wall and asked, “I told you last time that I’d play the bagpipes for you, didn’t I?” “Yes, yes you did,” I, briskly, replied.
Even the sharp, autumn wind could not wipe the smile off of our faces as Dan and I were treated to three Irish songs accompanied by bagpipes, pure enthusiasm, and the keen musical talent of Adrian O’Connor!
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| STANDING ALONG DOOLIN PIER, THE SPUME BLOWING INTO OUR FACES |
It is now early evening as I stand, reflectively, at Doolin Pier braving the sturdy wind and admiring the sun peeking through the steely clouds. The spume (foam) created by the agitation of the mighty Atlantic seawater slaps at my face reminding me of silly games played as a child. Holding my smartphone as tightly as possible, I attempt to capture the beauty and power that I am privileged to witness at this exact moment. I understand how fortunate I am to be alive!
We just left Gus O’Connors Pub not far up the narrow road to Doolin. Seeking the beauty of the mighty Cliffs of Moher and the distant formations of the protective Aran Islands out at sea, one last time, Doolin Pier is the place to be. My shots look good and I’m happy to be taking them back home with me.
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| LOCAL MUSICIANS HONORING JOHN JOE |
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| DANCING A TRADITIONAL SOLO IRISH DANCE WITH JOHN JOE IN THE BACKGROUND |
A few moments ago, the four of us helped to celebrate the birthday of John Joe, a local gentleman, at O’Connors Pub along with his friends, fellow Doolin residents, and musicians who honored him with music and song. A young lady danced a traditional solo Irish dance in his honor while another older gentleman told us humorous stories (craic) about John Joe’s interesting personal experiences. We all raised our pints of Guinness and laughed and cheered for several hours.
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| RELATING HUMOROUS STORIES ABOUT THEIR MUTUAL FRIEND, JOHN JOE |
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| MY FACE SAYS IT ALL..... |
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| CATCHING UP ON THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS |
Oh, did I happen to mention that two very special birthday guests, and our friends, Adrian and Bev O’Connor, met us at the Pub early in the afternoon? Yes, seated at two of the small, round pub tables and tucked-in a corner opposite the long bar, we all cheered on John Joe, caught up with the last five years of our lives in the short amount of time we had, and raised a glass (or two!) to one another in celebration of simply being together once again. Life is very, very good!
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| WHO COULD RESIST THIS BEAUTIFUL SMILE? |
Now, back to my laundry. It’s nice to know that no matter what life throws your way, you will always have dirty laundry to ground you and keep it all real.
Slainte....! Good health to all!
Slainte....! Good health to all!
Copyright © 2018 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved
Copyright © 2018 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All photo rights reserved
