Eventually, everybody was there and Peter told us that the bride and groom and her parents wanted to say hello. They were nice folks. There was so many people that there were three different conversations happening. I didn’t get anyone’s names. Amanda was talking to the mother, Peter was talking to the bride, the father was talking to Micheal, my mother, and Mairead, and I was in No Man’s Land due to my seating position, so I sort of got snippets of everything. Amanda is from Lowell, where we work, and the mom worked at the Merrimack Repertory Theater in Lowell for years. After they left we went outside to take a photo and then bid farewell to Micheal and Peter until next time.
Our first destination was the Lady Gregory Hotel in Gort. We had heard about it from Micheal, so we wanted to stop there for a drink and a pit stop. We thought that Gort was a cute little town and could imagine this being a stop in the future because we liked the Lady Gregory as well.
As we sat at the Lady Gregory, Mairead and Amanda were talking about the pandemic and vaccines. I couldn’t take anymore, so I butted in, “If we’re going to constantly talk about the pandemic then just drive to the Cliffs of Moher and push me off. I can’t take any more pandemic or vaccine talk.” Everybody needs to move on. The pandemic is over. Covid may never go away. Either you get Covid or you won’t. You’ll wear a mask or you won’t. You’ll get a vaccine or you won’t. I don’t care. I’m over it. I’m trying to normalize my life as it was pre-Covid - going out places and socializing, Trying not being afraid of people. Trying to overcome the physical, social, and mental barriers that separated us during the pandemic. Live your fucking life.
They didn’t appreciate it obviously, but I felt it needed to be said. I was probably being a giant asshole. I wasn’t looking at her, but I heard an irritated Mairead saying, “Yea, we’ll do that, we’ll do it.” So after an awkward moment, that was that. They're Geminis, so they'll get over it quickly and won't hold it against me.
The next stop was the Devon Inn Hotel. My mother had stopped here in the 1970s with Pops and had a tradition of stopping there, alledgedly, but I had never heard of the place until last month when her and my brother Mike stopped there. They were having an Easter Monday bank holiday special menu. We didn’t know what would be open or if any place would have dinner seating available in Sneem, so we just decided to make this our dinner. I think it was almost 5 by the time we finished dessert, so it all worked out. We left and headed for Sneem.
A ways on, My mother announced, You know you’re in Kerry when you see the mountains.” This was sort of a relief, but also kinda not a relief because my whole schedule and routine have been thrown off during the trip. This actually means that we were in an emergency situation and I had to go to the bathroom very badly. Usually I'm regular. Period 4 is my time in school. We passed through Killarney then got on to the Killarney road to Sneem. If you have ever been on that road then you know it is twisty and windy with lots of ups and downs. Additionally, the only thing that makes me car sick is when the sun is shining on me in the car and the temperature outside isn’t hot. Something about that specific situation sends my body confusing signals, and makes me car sick, so I used the trick that I use to prevent motion sickness on air planes. I pinched my wrist, and that really does work, I think they even make wrist bands that do it for you. So, I’m pinching my wrist and squeezing my buttcheeks, and I feel like I might die. We arrived in Sneem, but we still had 3 more miles to reach our cross, turn down the road, and unlock the door. I could make it. I did make. Fortunately.
We winded down with a few episodes of the Derry Girls then went to bed.
Tuesday the 19th
My aunt Monica had texted my mother last night and said that she was coming down with my aunt Joan and her husband Mike. Yesterday, we had picked up eggs and bread in Killarney, so we had eggs, toast, and tea for breakfast. They arrived at 11 and we chatted with them until about 1 then we decided to head back towards Waterville and Caherciveen for an adventure.
We had a couple of stops ahead that would require some energy, so we stopped in Waterville for lunch. Soups and sandwiches at Villa Marie.
As we drove through Caherciveen, we passed the Daniel O' Connell cChurch. I think that it is the only Catholic Church not named after a saint. Apparently, my mother named me after him. Daniel O' Connell is known in Irish history as the Great Emancipator because he fought for the rights of Catholics when they were discriminated against in Ireland. This would have been around 1800. I couldn't remember the last time that I was in Caherciveen. It was good to be there.
Our first adventure was to Kells Bay Gardens and Skywalk. Home to Ireland's longest rope bridge. I had never even heard of this place until last week, but I heard rope bridge and was sold. Mairead, Amanda, and I checked out the gardens while my mother stayed in the tea room due to her bad hips and because parts of the walk were strenuous.
The gardens have a wide variety of sub-tropical plants and a primeval forest. I'll be honest, it's not my area of expertise, but I thought it was cool. Our first stop was the waterfall. We took a few photos then Amanda built a stepping stone bridge that enabled me to keep my sneakers dry because the waterfall actually ran over the walking path. I know, I'm so high maintenance. The only pair of sneakers I brought get unreasonably water-logged. I found out the hard way the other day. Amanda was the only one with waterproof boots. Mairead's footwear would also have suffered catastrophic failure, so it actually worked out well because it added more fun. It's a totally immersive experience.
The main event would be the rope bridge, but we weren't quite there yet.
When we arrived at the rope bridge, I was ready for it, and it looked cool.
It's Ireland's longest rope bridge. When we climbed up the walkway then had to wait for a family to finish crossing. As we waited, Mairead asked, "Does anyone want to go first?" I volunteered and stepped in front. When the bridge was clear, I went for it.
It turned out to be more challenging than I imagined. The entire bridge is made of rope. Compared to the Carrick-a-rede bridge in Northern Ireland it was significantly more difficult to cross. The Game of Thrones bridge you just walk across because it has wooden steps. This bridge, being entirely rope and wood-less, made me feel like I was on American Ninja Warrior. Extra tough for me because I only have one arm to use. As I climbed across, I tried not to look down because I hate heights, but I always knew where I was. I hoped my pocked was zipped closed because I didn't want my phone to plunge into the river since I was climbing, not walking, and using more movement than I expected. It was fun, but I was relieved to get to the other side. I waited and took some photos of Mairead and Amanda when I finished.
Mairead was wearing slip-on shoes and nearly lost one through the rope into the river below. I believe, if you zoom in you can see that exact moment in my photo of her.
It was a fun adventure. A thrill for sure. A wee bit scary if you hate heights. When I told them it was 5 pm, they were both surprised. I said that we should head back , grab Mum, and head to the Kerry Cliffs. Another place that I had never been to before.
As we were driving to Kerry Cliffs, I observed," I can't believe the weather today. I can't remember a day being this sunny and clear." It was a gorgeous day.
Are the Kerry Cliffs better than the Cliffs of Moher? Maybe. The Kerry Cliffs have more to see and they’re more of an activity, especially, if you walk to see all the viewing areas it can be strenuous. Amanda and I checked them out. We got some great views on the clear day. The photos are a combo of mine and Amanda's. The Kerry Cliffs are very impressive and if I had to describe them in one word: mighty.
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| Skellig Islands on the right |
What a beautiful day! We were all hungry for dinner. I rang Carroll's Cove and make a booking for 730. Carroll's Cove is a beachside restaurant. I remember going there as a kid and I've heard it looks totally different. I was excited for it. My brother, Mike, said it was the best fish and chips, so I already knew what I was getting.
It was different, but I remembered it pretty vividly and accurately, the general setup is very much the same. I remember swimming there. Kids are crazy, they'll swim no matter how cold the water is. I have limits now. I won't swim unless it's at least 69 degrees. Carroll's Cove was just a lot nicer now.
I got the fish and chips, obviously, and so did Amanda and Mairead. After a few bites of mashed potatoes, I asked, Should I go for it?" Amanda knew what I was talking about and said yes, so I picked up the entire piece of fish because, to me, fish and chips is a finger food. Everybody at the table knew that already. It was actually the first time I picked up the entire piece of fish. It was also the first time that I substituted mashed potatoes for chips. Getting mashed potatoes instead of chips was a bit weird, but I think I'll definitely do it again.
At home, we unwinded with the new episode of Derry Girls. Goodnight.
Today's reflection: Go for it!
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