Monday’s arrival into Shannon was uneventful. Eugene from Killarney sat next to me. We had made eye contact in the waiting area due to a young couple between us with a book of Ireland saying, “We could see everything in Ireland in two days.” Right? Eugene had been in New York visiting his brother, who is on life support with a heart problem; his brother is 48, has children, is an alcoholic, with no history of heart disease in the family. Eugene only had a long weekend to see his brother. Eugene had to get back to his job of 12 years in a petroleum parts factory. His son is in the Youth EU Parliament, speaks English, Irish, German and is learning Mandarin. We were both so proud of our children who were doing so much more than what we had done. Eugene reminded me of actor, Hector Elizondo. He had an angular, quite intricate tattoo on his right forearm, which he covered with his left hand when we were talking so I didn’t ask. Appearances would have never put us together as having anything in common–this 62 year old, white haired female professor from the southern United States and this muscled young man with a shaved head and an Irish factory job; but, we had a lot in common: we valued education, family, hard work, manners, respect for others, and a pride in our children. I wished him good news about his brother. He saw me safely through customs.
The cottage is located outside of Labane Village, outside of Gort, not that far from Galway, and is named Crann Mor, gaelic for Big Tree.
My landlady, who lives in the house attached to the cottage, had prepared homemade rhubarb jam and had fresh eggs waiting for me. The best gift, though, was the loan of her library card. My daughter will understand the importance of this. The view from the side window where I look when I am writing, is a cow pasture hedged with stone. All I hear are the birds and gentle mooing from the herd of cows. I had driven into Gort for dinner last evening…too exhausted to cook…and had dinner at Sullivan’s Hotel on the square. Their special was roasted lamb with dressing, mashed potatoes, peas, carrots and broccoli…all locally grown and fresh. The portions were so large I have dinner for tonight and it cost me 10 euros. At 10 o’clock the light was still bright when I turned in but I slept in a cool room under massive quilts all night long.
Leara Rhodes 