Our columnist Frank Brandon gives an overview of a busy week that took him to several different counties, notes a special achievement by his daughter Tara, promotes an exciting upcoming music event featuring Sharon Shannon, and more!
It’s a lovely warm, dry Monday morning as I write, and I am reflecting on a week in which I seemed to be on the road more than I was at home.
On Tuesday, I hit for Castlebar to do a bit of babysitting, and after minding toddler Hayley (I think she was actually minding me!) for a few hours, I made it back to Creggs in the late afternoon/early evening.
Wednesday brought me to Galway, where I had one of the many hospital appointments that have almost become part of my normal existence. Remarkably, for this time of the year, traffic in Galway wasn’t too bad and I got across to the old ‘Regional’ in good time for my appointment.
Having spent so many times going there over the last few years, I should have anticipated the problems I would have in getting parked, and I found out pretty quickly that things haven’t changed. I took my place in the queue for the smallest car park, which is the farthest away from the main part of the hospital, and after about half an hour I eventually got a parking spot. Thankfully I was still okay time-wise, and made my appointment as scheduled. And for a change, they got me in and out very quickly!
I was meant to go back for a follow-up investigation in August, but as I write this I have just got a letter telling me that it is now moved back to October. Apparently circumstances outside their control have forced this change, and I suppose that’s pretty much the story of our health services. I am probably lucky enough to even get seen in October!
Following a free day on Thursday, on Friday I was due to go to Dublin to the very upmarket Clontarf Castle for a Sporting Club Ireland lunch with the great Harry Redknapp. But, on mature reflection, I decided to give it a miss.
By all accounts, I missed out on a superb day’s entertainment. It seems Harry was every bit as amusing and approachable as I would have thought, and 150 guests turned up for the lunch.
Lewis Moody, the former British and Irish Lion, and a World Cup winner with England in 2003, is next up on July 9th, and as he has recently been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) that should be a poignant but very special occasion. The event will also act as a fundraiser for MND, so hopefully it will be both a memorable and successful evening for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Fast-forward to Saturday, when, some time after midday, I headed off to Clifden to attend a ‘do’ in the Station House Hotel, held to celebrate the recent London wedding of my nephew David (Billy’s lad) and his new wife, Olivia.
As the Lexus was slightly indisposed (a bit out of tax), myself and my Opel Combo van hit the road, and I decided to go the scenic route through Ballinrobe, Cong, and Cornamona, before coming out on the main Galway road at Maam Cross.
I have to say it was a lovely journey, but my plan to stop for a coffee and a scone in Cong had to be put on hold; apparently there has been a lot of stuff taking place there to honour the 75th anniversary of the filming of the iconic film ‘The Quiet Man’, and on this weekend there was a big event taking place to honour the film’s museum. It was officially inaugurated as a Treasure of European film culture, which apparently is like winning the All-Ireland!
Anyway, the town was packed, and I hadn’t a hope in hell of getting parked anywhere. I thought I would get sorted in Maam village or Maam Cross, but I hadn’t bargained on the Cornamona 50km charity cycle run; everywhere was choc-a-bloc with cyclists having coffee and refreshments.
As for the cyclists, how they managed to get up some of those Connemara hills I’ll never know – I was finding it hard to drive up some of them! So fair play to everyone (young and old) who took part.
Anyway, I kept going and arrived into Clifden shortly after four o’clock. I headed off to my accommodation for the obligatory snooze, followed by the necessary shower.
I had booked this place a few weeks ago, and the truth is I hadn’t a clue what to expect. As it turned out, I had a whole apartment with two big double ensuite rooms, a huge kitchen, sitting room, and a lovely sunny balcony. Sadly, it was all for me only, but I must say it was some place!
Shower over, I headed off to the Station House, where I joined in the festivities – and what a night’s craic we had! The hooley was for friends and family, and no stone was left unturned to ensure we had an evening/night to remember. We had drinks, followed by dinner, after which we adjourned to the bar, where some lad was playing music and where Vincent Collins brought back memories of bygone years by performing a number of songs and reminding us of how talented he is.
We also had a double celebration on the night because our niece, Peadar’s girl Edel, was celebrating a big birthday (can’t tell you what one!), and I am told the party went on long into the night.
I am no longer a party animal however, so shortly after 11 pm I slipped off into the Clifden air and made my way to my huge apartment. And I was never as glad that I had called an early halt to my gallop, because on Sunday morning, as I left the Galway town behind me, I had the dubious honour of doing a mandatory breath test! Thankfully, despite almost having a heart attack, I passed the test and continued on my journey home.
As I left Clifden, I reflected on a town that was hopping all weekend. My old friend Jimmy Screene had organised a massive festival for the weekend, with great music on all three nights, culminating in the headline act of Nathan Carter on Sunday evening. I have often said it, but despite all the doom and gloom around about the hospitality sector, the truth is that if there’s something on people will come, and Clifden was electric over the weekend.
And so, with Clifden done with, later on Sunday afternoon my son Paul and myself headed for the Knockranny House Hotel in Westport, where my daughter Lisa was hosting a family lunch to celebrate her daughter Riley’s graduation from her crèche. Thirteen or fourteen family members, from senior citizens to 18-month-old babies, had a really pleasant evening and, in fairness I enjoyed my second hotel dinner in two days!
I also had my first (only the one) ever pint of Coors Light, and at this late stage in my life I have to admit that I liked it! If we get the long hot summer that we are promised, I might even try another one… or even two.
So Castlebar, Galway, Clifden and Westport all saw me last week, so for this week hopefully Creggs and maybe Roscommon get their turn!
In her mother’s footsteps…
Sometimes it’s nice to have (and indeed share) a bit of good news, and on that note I am pleased to report that last weekend my daughter Tara qualified for the Dublin RDS Horse Show, which will take place in August.
Each year four regional qualifiers take place, with upwards of 100 competitors in each, and eight riders qualify from each one. In Tara’s case, she finished second in one of the qualifiers from a field of 110 competitors, and sealed the right for herself and her horse BEC Phoenix to take part in Dublin.
Her mother Carol, my late wife, won the pony class in the RDS twice – in 1973 and 1974 – and it is a source of great joy and happiness that Tara will compete there as well. We wish her well!
And finally…
The countdown is really on for the Sharon Shannon concert which is taking place in the Creggs National School Hall on Saturday, June 27th, and I would encourage anyone who wants to go to a really fantastic show to get your tickets now!
They are getting scarce, but you can still get them at the school by phone (090 6621303) or email (creggsns@gmail.com), or through eventbrite.com!
I have told you before that this will be a special musical treat for Creggs and its surrounds, and I really hope we make it a night to remember. The doors open at 7 pm, and the show will kick off at 8 pm.
There will also be a raffle for good prizes on the night and all proceeds will go to the groundbreaking Creggs National School.
So make sure you don’t miss out – get your tickets, and let’s put our village on the musical map!
‘Til next week, bye for now!
