Reporting in

I have succumbed to indolence and aimlessness.  Well, perhaps that's a bit overstated, but I must admit the rhythm of our days has considerably slowed.  Last night we met up with Padraic at 10 p.m. to catch the Clew Bay String Band, comprised of our friends Sarah and Hubie MacEvilly and the amazingly talented Tim Rogers - plays fiddle, banjo, mandolin and god knows what else - at Blousers Pub.  Along with us were Maria Ruddy and Darren Madden, our friends and former landlords.  We had taken them to dinner along with their terrific kids Niamh and Conor to thank them for their generosity and kindnesses of past years.  A lovely evening, with us getting home at 1.  In response, I stayed in bed until 10 a.m. this morning.  And as I write this at noontime, I am in want of a shave and a shower, and am still in my pajamas.  The weather day has started off fine, the view from our living room window beckons, and I really should rush to embrace the freshening breeze and cherish the sunshine on my face.  Here's hoping...

I did, however, play a quick 9 holes yesterday morning at the Westport Club.  Mostly nice weather, but some light showers on two holes and a drenching downpour as I headed to my car.  Good thing I have a high quality rainsuit.  Padraic was not as lucky, starting his 18 hole round in a fundraising tournament as I was leaving.  Drilled by rain on the first and some subsequent holes, and playing the full round with soaking feet.  He was happy when the round ended.  We are both hopeful that our planned Monday trip to the beautiful parkland course - Ballinrobe GC - is played in sunny and fine weather.  My game has been showing some encouraging signs and I find myself welcoming, rather than dreading, teeing the ball up.  I am hopeful that retirement might give me the time to improve my game to an acceptable level.

We did have a nice time in the south, as we visited Co Kerry and Co Cork.  After our day at Muckross House, we visited Torc Waterfall the next morning before heading to Ovens, Cork to visit with Candee's cousin Mary O'Callaghan.  The waterfall and the walk to it would fulfill every preconceived notion of Ireland - greens in varieties that stretch credulity and scenes that would make the movie Darby O'Gill and the Little People seem like a restrained presentation of the appearance of the Irish countryside.

After leaving the waterfall and Co Kerry, we took a leisurely drive toward Co Cork.  We had first discovered Candee's relatives in our visit to Ireland with her Mom in 2009.  These relatives would be Candee's mother's father's people - the O'Callaghans.  Her mother's mother's folks are Duffys from Co Galway and we haven't been successful tracing them as of yet.  This year was an important year for Candee as she honored these family connections and sought and secured Irish citizenship and an Irish passport for herself.  The story of Candee's mom connecting with her family is a touching one and you might learn of it by reading the article I wrote - it appears in the blog as a post back in early June (just page back - you'll find it).

Before heading to Mary O'Callaghan's home for dinner, we visited the derelict Kilcrea Friary where many of the O'Callaghans have been buried.  The Friary is an ancient religious site:

Founded in 1465 for the Observant Franciscans by Cormac Laidir MacCarthy, Lord of Muskerry, Kilcrea Friary is located on the site on an earlier monastery, and named after Saint Cyra. He is interred in the centre of the choir. The Friary was officially suppressed in 1542 but continued in use under MacCarthy patronage. It was sacked by English troops in 1584. In 1597, it was granted to Cormac MacDermot MacCarthy who leased it to Richard Hardinge.

In 1661, the friary was granted to the first lord of Clancarty. It was vested in the Commissioners of Public Works in 1892. However, as late as 1832, a small number of friars remained living on the site. A graveyard is situated within the ruins of the Abbey.

We visited some of the graves and you'll see a picture of the stone of Jeremiah O'Callaghan, who plays a key, but blameless, role in the estrangement of the family 100 years ago.

Candee's grandfather's brother - Jeremiah

After paying our respects, we headed to dinner at Mary's house.  Just astounding.  We had carrots, new potatoes, and greens with our lamb.  All of the vegetables had come out of her garden that morning.  We ate her homemade brown bread, and for dessert enjoyed rhubarb crumble and raspberry flan - the rhubarb and raspberries had also come from her garden.  She apologized that the lamb had come from the store.  The fresh taste and simple preparation of the meal was just outstanding and we had a great conversation learning more about the family and its many roots and branches.  Once again, we visited with Mary's son Donal, his wife Jennie, and their three fine and handsome sons - Donal, Jack, and Matthew.  Just a lovely lovely time.  We have tried to guilt our own two daughters - Lee and Eryn - to commit to coming to Ireland, along with our five grandchildren, to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary in four years time, and we very much hope that we can all visit this O'Callaghan land and these dear people to close the circle that was broken 100 years ago.

In our eight previous visits to Ireland, we would've been home by now, having exhausted our three week holiday.  It's just amazing to think that we have almost four weeks remaining this year before we return to the inferno of Florida.  But, we will have missed July...

Well, the shower beckons, to say nothing of this fine day.  All for now.