Drimbawn House

We took a lovely afternoon drive to Drimbawn House in Tourmakeady yesterday.  Padraic had learned that the newly renovated gardens would be open to the public.  We knew it would be a beautiful setting - a hillside running down to Lough Mask - in the town where Padraic had worked for so long - first as a teacher, then as principal.  The grand house had been built many years ago and had been occupied, for a period of time, by the English actor Robert Shaw until his death in 1978.  Shaw was, perhaps, best known for his role as the ship's captain in the movie Jaws.  The property is currently owned by the proprietor of the Monaghan Mushrooms company.  Great money to be found in fungi it appears.

And, indeed, the gardens were splendid.  Even better was the bit of a homecoming for Padraic and Marion.  We couldn't walk but a few feet without someone recognizing them and showing evident delight for having happened upon them.  This was especially true as we sat for a bit of coffee and a scone (and the other treats appearing in the photo below).  A lovely family ended up joining us - thoroughly charming and gracious, including one of Padraic's former students.  It was very funny to hear them recount several incidents in the classroom, and gossip gently and warmly about those days and the menagerie of young lads that filled Padraic's classroom.  We didn't feel like strangers by the time we all had to bid our farewells.

It's been a bit of week for Padraic.  Three deaths - an elderly aunt who played a major role in his youngest years; a honored acquaintance from Tourmakeady; and a close colleague - a fellow principal from the town of Louisburgh.  The loss of the aunt was expected - she was in her 90s and had been in significant cognitive decline.  The event afforded an extended and heart-warming re-acquaintance with many family members, distant and close.  The loss of his friend, the principal, was a bit more shocking - he was only 66.  As Padraic said, "They're starting to pull them from our shelf."  We agreed that doing the things valued, and not putting them off, is the best policy.  Tomorrow is not promised to us.

Good news, however, for our friends.  Their son and his family, who live in the southeast of Ireland, are arriving for a several day visit.




Lough Mask



A Cork lass and a Mayo lass

Drimbawn House



Treehouse overlooking the lough