The week began with Sheila starting her Irish classes at the local college and end with dancing in the Isles to Paul Simon. Average week then really. Sheila writes...
As you might remember Ballyferriter is located in an area called An Gaelteacht which means that Irish is the first official language. And most of the locals will speak in Irish to each other but English is also spoken, particularly when you look blankly at them when they say "Dia Dhiut". I thought it would be good to be able to have even the basics of conversation and certainly show intent on learning what is after all my native language.
I should say at this stage that I did Irish classes in school but like most of my education it went on over my head and little stayed in the brain. And so, at 9am on a beautiful bright sunny morning I head off for my first lesson of the week. By 6pm I am shattered, the brain is frazzled, and I can only nod a yes when himself asks me would I like a glass of wine.
There were 10 people in the class and we had the most brilliant teacher in Caitriona. A woman gifted with immense patience and who guided us through the whole week so that by the end, sure we were fluent. Well fluent in that we could say our names to each and say what lovely weather it was.
Himself had his official retirement do in London so did a flying trip over on Tuesday and back on Thursday. The evening part of it coincided with the semi-final of the world cup. In case anyone had their head in a bucket for last week that match involved England. Peter has no interest in the football however the three friends he was having a retirement meal with are ardent supporters. Once England made the semi-final a refined meal in a central London restaurant was changed into a BBQ at The Knoll with beers. In truth everyone was happy although the football result was not.
In the middle of all this we are hunting down kitchen and bathroom suppliers, talking to flooring installers, learning how a heat pump works, calculating the costs of underfloor heating and measuring up the tiles needed.
Friday saw us head to Dublin for the Paul Simon concert. This was billed as a farewell tour and he was supported by Bonnie Raitt and James Taylor. I mean what a gig. Bonnie "greased the pan" for her two friends with fantastic guitar playing and singing.
James Taylor was amazing.
Paul Simon was fantastic and sang all the classic songs which, on a sunny Dublin evening, was wonderful.
The following morning, we headed off to Ballybunion for an evening of song from Christy Moore. Christy was in fine form, both singing and with his understated but spot on,political comments. It must be decades since I was in Ballybunion and I am hoping that it might be decades again… avoid at all costs.
The news for Sunday was that it rained! I know Ireland and all that, but we are in a drought, except in Kerry where it poured for most of Sunday.
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