Travels in Eire #2

The story of Cailin and her adventures as she travels through Ireland continue....

Cailin couldn't believe she slept so well in this strange place. She awoke rested and feeling better about what had happened yesterday with her car. While she thought it would be easy driving on the left side of the road, her perception was a little off and the small compact got stuck in a muddy rut when she moved too far to the left as a truck passed her. It was already dark when she got stuck, so after sitting in the car for a while trying to determine what to do, she decided to venture into the rainy night and see if she could find some help. Now here she was waking up in this foreign bed. And while feeling better about the clear morning, she was still uneasy about the exchange with the stranger from the previous night, not knowing why this forlorn dark-haired man kept wandering into her thoughts.

There was a quiet knock at the door. “Lassie, are you up yet?” It was Brendan. Cailin jumped out of bed and opened the door just a crack. “Brendan, yes I am, and I'll be down in just a few.”
“I'm making up some grub and will wait for you so that it's nice and warm.” And Brendan strolled away and down the stairs.

Cailin washed up quickly, feeling that a hot shower would have been great, but that would have to wait until after breakfast and after getting her car back on the road. Throwing on some jeans and a sweater, she tied her long curly hair back and headed down to the pub.

As she started down the stairs the smells of breakfast were wafting up the stairs and brought a smile to her face, and a rumble in her stomach. She had forgotten how hungry she was. She sat down at the same seat as the night before and poured a hot cup of Barry's tea from the pot on the counter. She drank this Irish tea at home with her Grandmother, and parents. It was something that was part of her daily life. A little cream and sugar and she closed her eyes as she took her first sip. It was home, no matter where in the world she was.

Brendan brought out a plate overflowing with a traditional Irish fry. Looking for Cailin's approval he stood across the bar from her.
“Lovely,” Cailin smiled. Brendan's proud toothy smile could have been any bigger. He was a large barman. He had broad shoulders and could handle any brawls that ensued in the pub. From the sport pictures on the wall, it looked like he played Gaelic Football. She guessed his age at about 30.
Cailin didn't usually eat this much for breakfast, but before she knew it, the plate was almost empty. She called Brendan to let him know she was finished, and after removing her plate, he asked if she was ready to tackle the situation with her car. Brendan opened the heavy door for her and as she walked out, she could not believe her eyes. The day was beautiful, clear, crisp, and fresh. The storm from last night had blown over.
After getting her bearings Cailin recalled which direction she came from and climbed into Brendan's truck. She glanced back at the pub and noticed the name, Connor's, above the door as they pulled out of the parking lot.
“It that your pub, Brendan?” she casually asked.
“No, missy, I just tend bar and manage the rooms,”
“Brendan, please call me Cailin. I really appreciate all this help. I would have had no idea who to call for help here.”
“Cailin, just about everyone around here would have given you some help. Where are you headed?”
Cailin hesitated. She really had not formulated a firm plan for this trip and felt silly for not having some idea as to where she was going.
“I flew in yesterday morning and rented a car. I figured I'd head north past Drogheda and on to the Antrim Coast. Last road sign I saw after I got off the motorway was something about Armagh. I think I made a wrong turn.”
A huge laugh roared out of Brendan. “Cailin, you definitely made a wrong turn. You are just outside Mullaghmore! Hmmm...how to explain it? Well, you are too far east and inland to get to the Antrim Coast. Armagh is just up the road a way. Let's get your car back on the road and I'll point you in the right direction.”
All this time Cailin had been watching Brendan. He was full of life. Not what one would call handsome, but very appealing. His eyes twinkled with joy and his Irish brogue was born out of the country. “Brendan, are you married?” And then just realized what she had said. “I apologize, for that. I know it's none of my business.”
“Cailin, I'm working to save enough money so I can buy a house and marry me girlfriend. We've been together for 5 years. Sorry, but I'm taken,” and once again he roared with laughter.
“Brendan, oh, no, I was just asking out of curiosity. You seem to have your life so in control. Oh, look, there's my car!”
Brendan maneuvered his truck up in front of Cailin's rental car and in no time Cailin's car was free of the muddy rut and she was following Brendan back to the pub.

“Cailin, if you don't have any specific travel plans, why don't you stay here another night to get yourself set up for the next few days. I'm sure some of the regulars would be happy to give you ideas as to the best routes and places to visit.” Brendan mentioned as they arrived back at the pub.

Cailin agreed, and her adventure began in Mullaghmore at Connor's Pub, a quiet country town with much more to offer than she ever imagined.