There was something about being in Mullaghmore, that made Cailin's sleep even more restful than usual. She woke as the sun shone through the bedroom window feeling happy and alive. She dressed and was ready to head downstairs just as Brendan was heading up the stairs to make sure she was awake. He saw her coming down and smiled a good mornin'.
“So lassie, will it be one of my special breakfasts with all the trimmings today?” he asked as they reached the bottom of the stairs.
“Actually Brendan, I'd just like some tea and toast, if you have it. I've had a few too many Ulster fries and I need to watch my diet! she laughed back to him.
“Your choice lassie, but your missing a real treat.”
Cailin didn't want to hurt Brendan's feelings, so she acquiesced to a small version of Brendan's special breakfast with a cup of tea. She knew that he would still make a full version, but this way she would still be a gracious guest.
Rorey arrived as Cailin was finishing about half of her meal and stayed for a cup of tea. They then headed off to Ardboe. The road to Ardboe passed by the carvery where Cailin had first met Ryan. As they motored down the road she recognized his SUV in the parking lot.
“Rorey, we need to make a quick stop here please,” she knew Rorey would not refuse. “I want to see a friend and thank him.”
Cailin climbed out of Rorey's small compact and entered the restaurant. As she poked her head in she saw Ryan drinking a cup of tea. He had obviously finished his breakfast and sat alone as he drank his tea. He looked up at the door as she entered, and smiled, surprised.
“HI Ryan, I'm on my way to church in Ardboe and saw your SUV outside. I just wanted to thank you again for the ride the other day.”
“Ardboe for church? Why not here at St. John's?” Ryan asked back. “Actually I'll be singing while my da play the organ today.” Cailin could tell Ryan wanted her to hear him sing.
“Let me check with my ride,” Cailin was hoping Rorey would approve.
Rorey asked Cailin, “Who's this singer again? Did you say Ryan Kelly? I've heard of him singing in some pubs around here. And now he's doing a mass? Ought to be interesting, I'm up for this.”
Ryan came out of the restaurant at that point and Cailin gave him the thumbs up. He walked over and introduced himself to Rorey. They had a few quick words about people they knew in common and the he said they needed to be off to church. St. John's was just around the corner and down the street a bit. It was a small pretty church. It seemed that most of the parish was attending this mass. Cailin wondered if they came to hear Ryan and his father.
Rorey and Cailin were seated about midway back in the pews and noticed the balcony with the organ. Ryan had added a jacket and tie to his dress shirt and stood off to the side at the front. The mass was beautiful and Ryan's voice filled the entire church. His voice had a slight raspy tone at times, and other times pure and true. He was very talented. One song he accompanied himself with his guitar. Cailin was so glad that she and Rorey had this opportunity.
After mass was over, Ryan introduced Rorey and Cailin to his parents. Cailin reminded Ryan that she owed him a dinner the next time he came to Derry and Ryan promised that would be soon. They parted ways and Rorey and Cailin headed for the Old Ardboe Cross to say some prayers for family members who were buried there.
Visiting the Old Ardboe Cemetery was bittersweet for Cailin this time. She now knew so much more about her family tree thanks to Rorey. After a while, they headed down the road to Dungannon for Cailin to catch the bus back to Derry and to see Darren for dinner.
Showing posts with label Ardboe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ardboe. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Travels in Eire #53
Cailin opened the door to the pub and stepped in. It took a few seconds for her eyes to adjust to the darkened atmosphere. It was a quiet afternoon. As she scanned around the room there was only one customer sitting hunched over it the corner. It was Rorey. As she entered he raised his head and a grin started to form on his face. Before he could say anything, from behind the bar came a deep pitched shout, “Well looky here, she's come back home again!” It was Brendan moving his bulky body from behind the bar right up to her for a huge hug. Cailin was almost breathless from his squeeze.
“Hi, Brendan. What a wonderful welcome. I thought it was time I paid a visit here, now that I'm living in Derry,” Cailin tried to get as much information out quickly as she could. “Rorey, I'm so glad you were here. Saves me a trip wandering all over town looking for you,” she smiled as she approached Rorey.
“Well, my Irish lassie. Good to see you haven't forgotten your roots here in our little town of Mullaghmore. And Derry it is... Guess the big city American girl needed a big city over here as well,” Cailin could tell this was a little criticism as Rorey would have liked to see Cailin settle down closer to family ties.
“First things first. Brendan, do you have a room for me tonight? I'm planning on staying over until tomorrow afternoon when I need to get back to Dungannon to catch the bus to Derry. I'm a working girl now and need to be home for Monday morning.”
“Lassie, I will always have a room for you. Same one as before, right?” you could see how happy Brendan was that Cailin would be staying over. “And I”ll have an ample breakfast for you in the morning too. You look to need a little meat on them bones,” Brendan grabbed his middle and chuckled.
“And Brendan, I've got a terrible thirst here. Can I get a cold pint for Rorey and I?” Cailin had come to enjoy the cool stout that was part of all Irish tradition. Guinness was best when pumped regularly at pubs and it didn't travel well, so she only drank it when in Ireland.
Cailin moved until she stood next to Rorey. “Well, do I even get a greeting here?”
Rorey's grin grew bigger and he stood to properly welcome Cailin back. She felt so at home once again. Like she had never left.
“Rorey, I have so much to tell you. My life has just been so amazing since we first met when I came over here on vacation less than a couple of months ago. This is the first time I've been able to take a weekend and come back here to Mullaghmore and see you,” Cailin was trying to ease into her news slowly, but she knew that wasn't going to happen.
“Ahhh, Cailin, you've found yourself a lad. Look at you, you are as bright as the sun on a day with a shining rainbow, and beaming all over. I know that look. I've seen it before. So first tell me how you came to move here after your vacation. I didn't think I'd be seeing you this soon again,” Rorey was ready to hear Cailin's story and she didn't disappoint. She recounted everything from how she met Darren, to her decision to leave her job in New York City and work remotely from Derry so she could be close to Darren and get to know him better and see where things were going. She talked about Darren's parents and filled Rorey in pretty completely.
“So Cailin, when do I get to meet this lad? You do know you need someone here to approve of him?” Rorey's eyes were sparkling with mischief.
At first Cailin thought Rorey was being extremely serious, then realized that he was teasing her. “Rorey, I'm sure that Daren would hold up to any checking out that you might have in mind,” she replied laughing.
And so the afternoon wore on. Cailin and Rorey finished their drinks and headed out of the pub for a walk around town. They planned the rest of the day and the following morning. They would go to the small church in Ardboe and stop by the Ardboe Cross and cemetery. Then Rorey would drop Cailin off in Dungannon to catch her bus back to Derry. They had a hearty dinner in the diner in Mullaghmore sitting by the window where they had sat when Cailin first met Rorey. The evening finished back at the pub sitting by the fire with Rorey telling stories of the family members that Cailin had never had the chance to get to know.
As Cailin headed up the stairs to bed, she couldn't help but remember the first time she had ended up here, soaking wet and lost. She wasn't lost anymore.
“Hi, Brendan. What a wonderful welcome. I thought it was time I paid a visit here, now that I'm living in Derry,” Cailin tried to get as much information out quickly as she could. “Rorey, I'm so glad you were here. Saves me a trip wandering all over town looking for you,” she smiled as she approached Rorey.
“Well, my Irish lassie. Good to see you haven't forgotten your roots here in our little town of Mullaghmore. And Derry it is... Guess the big city American girl needed a big city over here as well,” Cailin could tell this was a little criticism as Rorey would have liked to see Cailin settle down closer to family ties.
“First things first. Brendan, do you have a room for me tonight? I'm planning on staying over until tomorrow afternoon when I need to get back to Dungannon to catch the bus to Derry. I'm a working girl now and need to be home for Monday morning.”
“Lassie, I will always have a room for you. Same one as before, right?” you could see how happy Brendan was that Cailin would be staying over. “And I”ll have an ample breakfast for you in the morning too. You look to need a little meat on them bones,” Brendan grabbed his middle and chuckled.
“And Brendan, I've got a terrible thirst here. Can I get a cold pint for Rorey and I?” Cailin had come to enjoy the cool stout that was part of all Irish tradition. Guinness was best when pumped regularly at pubs and it didn't travel well, so she only drank it when in Ireland.
Cailin moved until she stood next to Rorey. “Well, do I even get a greeting here?”
Rorey's grin grew bigger and he stood to properly welcome Cailin back. She felt so at home once again. Like she had never left.
“Rorey, I have so much to tell you. My life has just been so amazing since we first met when I came over here on vacation less than a couple of months ago. This is the first time I've been able to take a weekend and come back here to Mullaghmore and see you,” Cailin was trying to ease into her news slowly, but she knew that wasn't going to happen.
“Ahhh, Cailin, you've found yourself a lad. Look at you, you are as bright as the sun on a day with a shining rainbow, and beaming all over. I know that look. I've seen it before. So first tell me how you came to move here after your vacation. I didn't think I'd be seeing you this soon again,” Rorey was ready to hear Cailin's story and she didn't disappoint. She recounted everything from how she met Darren, to her decision to leave her job in New York City and work remotely from Derry so she could be close to Darren and get to know him better and see where things were going. She talked about Darren's parents and filled Rorey in pretty completely.
“So Cailin, when do I get to meet this lad? You do know you need someone here to approve of him?” Rorey's eyes were sparkling with mischief.
At first Cailin thought Rorey was being extremely serious, then realized that he was teasing her. “Rorey, I'm sure that Daren would hold up to any checking out that you might have in mind,” she replied laughing.
And so the afternoon wore on. Cailin and Rorey finished their drinks and headed out of the pub for a walk around town. They planned the rest of the day and the following morning. They would go to the small church in Ardboe and stop by the Ardboe Cross and cemetery. Then Rorey would drop Cailin off in Dungannon to catch her bus back to Derry. They had a hearty dinner in the diner in Mullaghmore sitting by the window where they had sat when Cailin first met Rorey. The evening finished back at the pub sitting by the fire with Rorey telling stories of the family members that Cailin had never had the chance to get to know.
As Cailin headed up the stairs to bed, she couldn't help but remember the first time she had ended up here, soaking wet and lost. She wasn't lost anymore.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Travels in Eire #51
Days began to flow into a regular schedule for Cailin. She adjusted her work schedule to coordinate with New York as much as possible. She didn't really want to work late into the evening to match their work hours, so much of her research was done before her office in New York was even open. The transition was going smoother than she had imagined. Her home office was networked so she could communicate easily with New York.
Cailin's afternoons took her off to the shops down the street for snacks, food and groceries. She felt so comfortable here. Regular calls to her parents in hopes that they might consider a trip over to visit kept her up to date with the goings on at home. Almost every evening Darren would stop by on his way home and either stay for dinner, or to take Cailin out for dinner. On a rare occasion, Cailin would meet Darren at his place for dinner. As a guy, his place was neither fully equipped for cooking, or very well stocked. Cailin had to laugh the first time Darren invited her over. When Cailin thought her kitchen was small, she found Darren's even smaller.
Cailin also started spending time with some new friends she had met through Darren. She and Ruth O'Leary, along with Ruth's sister Joyce, had spent a few girl evenings and done some shopping in town. With Ruth and Joyce being musicians also, they didn't have much time to spend with Cailin, but when either of them, mostly Ruth, were in Derry, they spent time together. There were a few times that they had gone out to a club late at night and Ruth would stay over at Cailin's. They loved shopping together, and Cailin was becoming quite the shoe shopper. Her style was changing too as Ruth helped her choose some new clothes. Darren seemed to enjoy this change.
Some nights Darren was busy in late meetings and Cailin was on her own. She found that she enjoyed some time to herself and was anxious to explore more than she could without a car. Darren was still very protective and wanted to make sure that Cailin was always with someone who knew the area. Cailin also wanted to take a weekend and return to Mullaghmore to see Rorey. She had not seen him since she had moved back to Ireland.
The biggest problem Cailin had with traveling around is that she didn't have a rental car like her vacation and was not familiar enough with the buses that traveled outside of Derry. Darren was very protective of her and wanted to make sure she was safe. After some discussion about her taking a weekend away to visit Ardboe and Mullaghmore, Darren came up with a plan to help her navigate the roads and still be able to be mostly on her own. Darren would have gone with her, but had meetings that weekend for another fund raiser for the hospital that could not be changed.
Darren was not beyond using his music connections to help facilitate this venture when he could. He felt if he could get Cailin on the right bus to Dungannon, then Keith's friend Ryan Kelly could help her get to Mullaghmore from there. Ryan lived right off the Dungannon Road between Dungannon and Mullaghmore and could drop Cailin off at Mullaghmore and get her back on Sunday to the bus in Dungannon to get home. Now this whole plan needed the cooperation of both Keith and Ryan. Darren was pretty sure he could depend on Keith as they had known each other for a long time and Keith only had to see if Ryan was available on Saturday and Sunday to pick up and drop off Cailin. On the other hand, Cailin felt strange with this, but trusted Darren to take care of the necessary details. Cailin would catch the bus at the Foyle station in Derry and arrive about 2 hours later in Dungannon center. From there Ryan would meet her and drive her to Mullaghmore. Cailin would stay over at Brendan's pub and get a ride back to Dungannon the next day to catch the bus back home. It was a perfect plan if all went well.
But as things go, not all plans go so well. Cailin was still getting used to some things that are so natural in Ireland. Never go anywhere without an umbrella. Once she was on the bus to Dungannon, it started to rain. As she traveled, the rain came down harder. It started to remind her of the night she first arrived in Ireland. The bus was going slow and she could see the sloshing water as they drove. It was still raining when they arrived in Dungannon and pulled up to the curb at the bus stop. There was no cover when Cailin exited the bus.
As Cailin exited the bus she looked around for Ryan. It had been a while since she saw him and didn't know what kind of car to look for. As she searched she was getting soaked. She suddenly realized that something was covering her. It was a large umbrella.
“Looks like you are in need of a towel and a ride,” Ryan chuckled and smiled as he covered her with the umbrella. “I'm parked over here,” he directed her and took the backpack she was carrying. Cailin could have sworn he was having a good laugh over her current condition. He seemed to be walking with his head down and turned away so she couldn't see his face.
“Ryan, I really appreciate you taking the time to come here and pick me up,” and she stopped in her tracks as Ryan lead her to a huge SUV. “Th-this?”
“Yes, this is mine. Is there a problem?” Ryan looked at Cailin quizzically.
“It's just that I'm so used to seeing all the small compact cars here, I hardly realized anyone having such a big car. It's fine, if I can climb up high enough to get in!”
Ryan stood by with his umbrella and a helping hand as Cailin literally climbed into the front seat of the vehicle.
“I'm so sorry that I'm getting the inside of you car wet. I should know better already. I was just so excited about making this trip,” Cailin tried to keep her wet hair and skirt from doing too much damage.
“No worries, Cailin. This is my splurge. The seats are leather. They do fine like a cow in the rain. Are you all settled?” Ryan settled into his seat and started the engine. At least Cailin had no fear that they would be run off the road.
They barely got started when Ryan turned to Cailin and asked if she was hungry and if she wanted some lunch. Cailin had not thought too much about it during the ride, but she was hungry, but didn't want to inconvenience Ryan.
“Ryan, it was already an inconvenience for you to come to Dungannon to pick me up, I hardly want you to have to stop just for me,” she was trying to be considerate, but was hopeful.
“Cailin, I was coming to Dungannon to stop at the post anyway, so it's no trouble. And I haven't eaten yet, so if you are up to a little lunch we can stop by the Otter Lodge (http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Otter-Lodge-Cookstown-P12279) just down the road for some great fish and chips. It's a great lunch location. Or you can just sit in the car while I eat something.” Ryan turned and smiled as he said this so she understood he was teasing.
His jet black hair and sparkling eyes along with that smile were quite charming. Overall Ryan was a pretty quiet man, but seemed to love getting the best of Cailin.
They put in their orders and were able to sit at a table overlooking the river. Even with the rain, it was a beautiful view. Over lunch Ryan probed Cailin about her experiences so far in Derry and her time in Ireland.
Cailin's afternoons took her off to the shops down the street for snacks, food and groceries. She felt so comfortable here. Regular calls to her parents in hopes that they might consider a trip over to visit kept her up to date with the goings on at home. Almost every evening Darren would stop by on his way home and either stay for dinner, or to take Cailin out for dinner. On a rare occasion, Cailin would meet Darren at his place for dinner. As a guy, his place was neither fully equipped for cooking, or very well stocked. Cailin had to laugh the first time Darren invited her over. When Cailin thought her kitchen was small, she found Darren's even smaller.
Cailin also started spending time with some new friends she had met through Darren. She and Ruth O'Leary, along with Ruth's sister Joyce, had spent a few girl evenings and done some shopping in town. With Ruth and Joyce being musicians also, they didn't have much time to spend with Cailin, but when either of them, mostly Ruth, were in Derry, they spent time together. There were a few times that they had gone out to a club late at night and Ruth would stay over at Cailin's. They loved shopping together, and Cailin was becoming quite the shoe shopper. Her style was changing too as Ruth helped her choose some new clothes. Darren seemed to enjoy this change.
Some nights Darren was busy in late meetings and Cailin was on her own. She found that she enjoyed some time to herself and was anxious to explore more than she could without a car. Darren was still very protective and wanted to make sure that Cailin was always with someone who knew the area. Cailin also wanted to take a weekend and return to Mullaghmore to see Rorey. She had not seen him since she had moved back to Ireland.
The biggest problem Cailin had with traveling around is that she didn't have a rental car like her vacation and was not familiar enough with the buses that traveled outside of Derry. Darren was very protective of her and wanted to make sure she was safe. After some discussion about her taking a weekend away to visit Ardboe and Mullaghmore, Darren came up with a plan to help her navigate the roads and still be able to be mostly on her own. Darren would have gone with her, but had meetings that weekend for another fund raiser for the hospital that could not be changed.
Darren was not beyond using his music connections to help facilitate this venture when he could. He felt if he could get Cailin on the right bus to Dungannon, then Keith's friend Ryan Kelly could help her get to Mullaghmore from there. Ryan lived right off the Dungannon Road between Dungannon and Mullaghmore and could drop Cailin off at Mullaghmore and get her back on Sunday to the bus in Dungannon to get home. Now this whole plan needed the cooperation of both Keith and Ryan. Darren was pretty sure he could depend on Keith as they had known each other for a long time and Keith only had to see if Ryan was available on Saturday and Sunday to pick up and drop off Cailin. On the other hand, Cailin felt strange with this, but trusted Darren to take care of the necessary details. Cailin would catch the bus at the Foyle station in Derry and arrive about 2 hours later in Dungannon center. From there Ryan would meet her and drive her to Mullaghmore. Cailin would stay over at Brendan's pub and get a ride back to Dungannon the next day to catch the bus back home. It was a perfect plan if all went well.
But as things go, not all plans go so well. Cailin was still getting used to some things that are so natural in Ireland. Never go anywhere without an umbrella. Once she was on the bus to Dungannon, it started to rain. As she traveled, the rain came down harder. It started to remind her of the night she first arrived in Ireland. The bus was going slow and she could see the sloshing water as they drove. It was still raining when they arrived in Dungannon and pulled up to the curb at the bus stop. There was no cover when Cailin exited the bus.
As Cailin exited the bus she looked around for Ryan. It had been a while since she saw him and didn't know what kind of car to look for. As she searched she was getting soaked. She suddenly realized that something was covering her. It was a large umbrella.
“Looks like you are in need of a towel and a ride,” Ryan chuckled and smiled as he covered her with the umbrella. “I'm parked over here,” he directed her and took the backpack she was carrying. Cailin could have sworn he was having a good laugh over her current condition. He seemed to be walking with his head down and turned away so she couldn't see his face.
“Ryan, I really appreciate you taking the time to come here and pick me up,” and she stopped in her tracks as Ryan lead her to a huge SUV. “Th-this?”
“Yes, this is mine. Is there a problem?” Ryan looked at Cailin quizzically.
“It's just that I'm so used to seeing all the small compact cars here, I hardly realized anyone having such a big car. It's fine, if I can climb up high enough to get in!”
Ryan stood by with his umbrella and a helping hand as Cailin literally climbed into the front seat of the vehicle.
“I'm so sorry that I'm getting the inside of you car wet. I should know better already. I was just so excited about making this trip,” Cailin tried to keep her wet hair and skirt from doing too much damage.
“No worries, Cailin. This is my splurge. The seats are leather. They do fine like a cow in the rain. Are you all settled?” Ryan settled into his seat and started the engine. At least Cailin had no fear that they would be run off the road.
They barely got started when Ryan turned to Cailin and asked if she was hungry and if she wanted some lunch. Cailin had not thought too much about it during the ride, but she was hungry, but didn't want to inconvenience Ryan.
“Ryan, it was already an inconvenience for you to come to Dungannon to pick me up, I hardly want you to have to stop just for me,” she was trying to be considerate, but was hopeful.
“Cailin, I was coming to Dungannon to stop at the post anyway, so it's no trouble. And I haven't eaten yet, so if you are up to a little lunch we can stop by the Otter Lodge (http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Otter-Lodge-Cookstown-P12279) just down the road for some great fish and chips. It's a great lunch location. Or you can just sit in the car while I eat something.” Ryan turned and smiled as he said this so she understood he was teasing.
His jet black hair and sparkling eyes along with that smile were quite charming. Overall Ryan was a pretty quiet man, but seemed to love getting the best of Cailin.
They put in their orders and were able to sit at a table overlooking the river. Even with the rain, it was a beautiful view. Over lunch Ryan probed Cailin about her experiences so far in Derry and her time in Ireland.
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