leararhodes

Music in the Pub

I had changed for bed and was reading, skimming actually, a detailed biography of Lady Augusta Gregory…more than I ever want to know about this woman. I will leave the book here for the next guest and save them €15. I heard men’s voices coming in the back of the house and they were callingContinue reading “Music in the Pub”

Nature in Balance

A solo moo, long and wailing was heard in the evening. I can see the cows in the adjoining pasture if I go upstairs. I watch the cows and there is one lone cow at the far end of the pasture bellowing like her life was over. The cows gathered in the middle of theContinue reading “Nature in Balance”

Preparing to Leave

I leave this part of my travels on Sunday. I have gotten a tremendous amount of writing completed as was my goal. I have also learned a lot. I have learned how to skype using my iPad, how to sleep with no doors locked, how to dispose of garbage each day in a safe environmentallyContinue reading “Preparing to Leave”

Tuesday Lunch

Morning started with a drizzle, overcast and a bit chilly. Work was productive so I went to Gort for lunch and to pick up a few provisions. I went to Gabriel’s Café, a cheaply decorated in vintage Victorian style café with local foods and quirky, tattooed wait staff; a place that would fit in perfectlyContinue reading “Tuesday Lunch”

Sunday Lunch

Sunday was another beautiful sunny day in Ireland. The rain is to come on Monday. The young woman waiting with me for the bus to Galway told me about a restaurant up the road in The Weir where many Americans go to eat fresh seafood. “It’s a bit pricy, but the food is fresh andContinue reading “Sunday Lunch”

Galway by bus

Lesson one: Never trust your landlady to give you the facts. She said I could catch the bus at a pub in the village, I checked and it only goes on the main highway near the gas station. I waited with two young people and the bus came…late, but came. I went to Galway. GoodContinue reading “Galway by bus”

Friday was a writing kind of day

Today I wrote. I did go to Coole (former home of Lady Augusta Gregory) for tea (warm rhubarb tart with real cream and coffee) on the pretense of working and I did take notes from a book on the Peoples of Ireland I had picked up in Oxford at a flea market for 5 pounds.Continue reading “Friday was a writing kind of day”

Rural Ireland

On a typical day here in rural Ireland, I go down the stairs with any clothes I need to wash. I put on the electric kettle for a cup of coffee or tea and while it heats, I fill the kitchen sink with cold water and liquid soap and soak my clothes. Then I makeContinue reading “Rural Ireland”

A farmer, policeman, melodeon player

Directions to meet Tomas, an 80-year-old farmer, former policeman, and a melodeon player: “Go down the main street in town, past the hotel, then go 5 to 8 kilometers, I don’t remember how far until you reach a road called Tulla, yes, Tulla. Then be sure to count at the 3rd road (none of themContinue reading “A farmer, policeman, melodeon player”

County Clare

A bank holiday (simply a Monday off and the Irish do it the first Monday of June, July and August) encouraged me to go into County Clare to Ennis, Ennistymon (a really lovely village on a rapid river with an aging hotel, Falls River Hotel, offering memories of the King and Prince on St. Simon’sContinue reading “County Clare”