Saturday, June 5, 2004

The trip of a Lifetime

I have returned from the land of the gentle rain.  I have so much to tell that it is hard to know where to begin.  I shall just jump right in with the most magical parts.

My mother asked that I travel to O'callaghansmill in County Clare.  This is the home of her mother's people, the McGraths.  She told me that on the wall of the pub was a photo of her Uncle Thom.  He was a member of the Hurling team that was the national champion in 1913.  She wondered if is still was there.

We somehow found O'callaghansmill. It was not easy. Far off the main road, in the middle of the most beautiful country side imaginable.  We stopped in a pub called Danny's in Broadford Sunday afternoon.  Not realizing there was a major soccer match being played that afternoon, the entire focus of the pub was on the match.  We found two kind souls who took interest in the Americans who would venture into a dark pub miles and miles off the tourist path.  We were pointed in the right direction and after a shared pint, we were off again.

Another half hour of harrowing driving on the left side of the road on the most narrow of narrow country roads, we stumbled upon a pub atop a hill, Mill Tavern.  This was it!

We entered and found another group, this one much smaller, watching the same important soccer match (Ireland vrs. England?). The bar maid was very kind and intervened for us by gently asking one of the men about the McGraths.

He knew of the family, my family who left so long ago.  He gave her directions for us to find the old family farm house.  Then on second thought he had another plan for us.............

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad to have you back. Cant wiat for more pics and stories. Lori

Anonymous said...

I'm dying for the rest of the story.

Anonymous said...

Oh this sounds so intriguing. Hanging on pins and needles as the story unfolds.
Welcome back!!!! :-) ---Robbie

Anonymous said...

OMG, you're back!  I can't wait to hear about your travels, what you saw, what you did...I'll be an armchair traveler for a while and live vicariously through your journal.  *Sits back in chair waiting for next installment.*  Welcome back!

Anonymous said...

i envy your experience. i have traveled a great deal but never made it to ireland. i love irish writers and have celtic blood which i am proud of. have you read w.b. yeats?

Anonymous said...

Your BACK! You've been missed but, I look forward to tales of Ireland. Such a beautiful place from what my memory can recall. :)  

Monica

Anonymous said...

You are a tease!  I can't wait to hear every detail!  I read this entire entry with a brogue!  
Missed you:*

Anonymous said...

       Welcome back, Mary, or are you going by "Lass" now?
Best wishes,
Debi

Anonymous said...

Welcome back.  I see...we're going to turn this into a serial.  Go girl...I'm hanging on  your every word.  Lisa  :-]

Anonymous said...

Welcome Home!   MORE! MORE! MORE!
V

Anonymous said...

Question:  Was the English team Manchester United?  I have a friend who's a huge fan of MU.  LOL  

Glad to see you're back home safe.  Love the photo of the pub and I can't wait to hear more tales from Ireland.  Fun, fun!  I still remember that feeling when I first got back from Manila.  It's magical.  Give it a year and you'll be dying to get your feet on Irish land again.  :)

Anonymous said...

Mary I am so happy for you and yet jealous that I wasnt there   john

Anonymous said...

Welcome home Voyager!  I can't believe you're back and...POSTING PICS ALREADY!  You make me ashamed of being such a slug.  :P

Don't you love the Irish pubs! You bring back some golden memories....  :)