Travels in Eire #16

From Donegal on the trip was fun and enjoyable. Darren was more relaxed and Cailin could put away the fact that she would be meeting Darren's parents under a stressful situation for several hours. She would deal with it like she does all things in her life, with honesty and being straightforward. That was what she thought at least.
The road took them south through Bundoran and along the coast as they traveled to Sligo. Just a quick pull off the road and they were at the Drumcliffe Cemetery where W.B. Yeats was buried. Cailin knew very little about her grandfather's birthplace, except that it was Sligo. But she loved poetry and Yeats was one of her favorites. They wandered through the gravestones until they found Yeats. When Cailin looked up from the gravestone, she noticed she was looking at the looming size of Ben Bulben between two trees. It was an impressive scene. Cailin suddenly realized that as she traveled this incredible countryside, she was becoming more entrenched in the culture and background of her family. She was well aware that at some point she was going to have to return home, and already she could sense what a sad situation that would be.

Darren seemed to pick up on Cailin's feelings and tried to lighten up the mood with discussion about music. He talked about how all the famous writer's spent so much time in the pubs of Dublin, sometimes writing some of their best work in the pubs, probably inspired by the music and patrons of the day. He told Cailin that they would have to visit at least a couple of pubs on the Connemara Coast where his friends might be playing. Cailin love the idea of listening to more trad music and having Darren share his love of the music with her was an extra treat.

The drive from Sligo to Galway was a long one, through the countryside. Everything was green, multiple shades of green, from the fields to the rolling hills, grasses, shrubs and mosses. It had a very calming effect on Cailin. It made her smile.
“What are you smiling about?” Darren asked as he maneuvered along the narrow roadway.
“I just realized how happy I am being here in Ireland. No, wait, it's how happy I feel being here.” she responded as if reflecting on her thoughts.
“I just can't believe you are so relaxed and reflective knowing what you know about meeting my parents!”
“Darren, I can't let what is going to happen hours from now spoil this wonderful trip.” Cailin tried to be calm in responding to Darren. “Let me know when we are about thirty minutes away from your parents and then you'll see me freak out!” She teased him.
“Cailin, I like your attitude. Maybe that's something I should consider doing.” and he laughed that laugh that made Cailin smile even more.

They chatted about everything as they drove along the road. Darren talked about places that Cailin should have on her “next visit” list, and Cailin asked about places she had heard about and whether they were worth the time for a visit. Some of these included a return visit to County Donegal and stay at a resort where Cailin could spend time horseback riding on the beach, a return to Sligo and tour the Ben Bulben road around and out to the ocean and close up visit to the mountain. This trip would not include the Cliffs of Moher or The Burren, or any of the sites to the south. It seemed like there was always more to see. How could that be in the small country?
Darren took offense to the term “small country” and explained that in terms of ancient Europe, Ireland was an important stronghold. Countries felt if they could control Ireland, they would control the ancient world. Great idea, but it didn't ever seem to work for any controlling country for very long. He explained with the contagious grin.

Cailin could see the sign that said Galway and knew they were getting near. her stomach started to turn into knots as Darren gave her the thirty minute warning.