Advertisement
Published: June 30th 2010
Muckross Rowing Club
Found on the banks of Killarney lakes, it's situated in the Killarney National Park - a pretty special place to row I would thinkI'm nearing the three week mark of my travels & to say it has flown by would just be too obvious. I've been in Ireland now for two weeks and I could go on about how beautiful the scenery is and how great the people are, but again - too obvious, instead I'll share with you a tale which for me will be a long time in forgetting.
Last week we were cycling through West Cork and Kerry, whilst in Cork we stayed in a lovely little village called Glengariff, after dinner we all headed out to hear some 'trad' (traditional Irish music). We crammed into a tiny old pub and sat down to listen two English musicians - despite their nationality, they played this traditional music really well :0). Just as darkness was descending (approx 10:30pm) the female singer called out 'Ah, the Derry men are here!' In walked 12 old blokes who were possibly in their 70s. They promtly sat down and took the microphone. From that point onward, they continued to dominate the entertainment - they were fantastic. They had most of us weeping into our Guinness.
I got chatting to one of them and they
Castle ruins
On the way up to Moles Gap - more of an excuse to catch my breath than a photo opportunity! were members of a football club in Derry, Northern Ireland. Apparently every year, 12 of them get on a bus together (without their wives) and travel to some other part of Ireland for a week - none of them has missed it in years. The blinds were drawn, the doors were shut and the band had left but they continued to sing unaccompanied - mainly heart renching songs about 'the struggle' or 'the troubles'. As I was dragging my sorry bones out at about 2am, these old fellas were still going on strong - but I knew I'd experienced something really special.
The next morning I was cycling out of the village on the way to Bantry. I saw three of them walking toward me. I stopped them and thanked them for the best night I'd had and was more than likely going to have in Ireland - they were chuffed. The one who did most of the singing chuckled and said ' Ah go on then - give us a kiss and a cuddle!' I squealed with delight and obliged by giving them each a quick peck on the cheek and a hug. As I was getting to
the last of the three, their bus with the remaining 9 fellas pulled up behind us. The cheeky old bugger took his opportunity while he could and gave me a squeeze on the arse! There was cheering and hooting and honking of the bus horn. They were like a bunch of 19 year olds - it was hilarious - and the old bugger was clearly delighted with himself!
I continued on toward Bantry and about 20 minutes later from about 500 metres away I could hear this honking and cheering. As they passed me they continued to honk and cheer and wave frantically until they were out of sight. They were honestly having the time of their lives. To be the subject of such objectification was trully foreign to me, but my feminine sensibilities remain intact! My only regret is that I didn't managed to get a photo of any of them.
I've got 3 more days here in Ireland no doubt viewing one more spectacular sight after the other. It really has been brilliant. I can't say that I've had one dud moment - my shuffle has been very generous.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.138s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 15; qc: 61; dbt: 0.0711s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
Sue
non-member comment
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOOTS
Hi, Hope you have a fantasic day on the 5th!!