by Shay Clarke
Home again in dear old Dublin for my mum’s 80th birthday and what a great time I had, despite the crazy weather. In fact, the weather was a blessing as I spent all of my time with the family. I had missed the last major family bash as my brother Don got married at the height of the festival season, but they had gathered again to celebrate my mother’s birthday and it was great to see them all.
My beautiful and dutiful daughter Leighanne picked me up at the airport and whisked me straight away to my equally beautiful daughter Sharon’s home and a big hearty Irish breakfast with my grandchildren Josh & Alex. I can’t believe how quickly they grow, and they are beautiful too. From there, on to my mum’s house, everybody calls it Nana’s house now as the grandchildren totally outnumber the family, and I’m truly home again as we sit down to chat and cups of tea. Happiness is being home with mum.
I had a few pints in O’Dwyers that first night with my brother Don, and we did a bit of catching up, just the two of us. Hey, yah can’t beat it with a stick.
The following morning we were off to the races at Punchestown Racetrack in Kildare. Don had rented a coach to take us there, yeah, the whole family, or most of them, and within a few hours brothers, sisters, nieces & nephews were together again in the Chairman’s Box at the races with an open bar and food coming from all angles. Who said the Celtic Tiger is dead… more champagne, please.
Mum of course, is the center of attention on that day as the principal race on the card is the Kathleen Clarke 80th Birthday Hurdle, and she gets to present the winning trainer with the prize in the parade ring after the race.
It was a lot of fun, betting was furious and frantic, and there were winners and losers as the day went on. Races were run despite occasional snow showers, and of course by the time we left the comfy confines of the Chairman’s Box, we had to skate across the inner courtyard that had become an ice rink; it was dangerous, but we all survived and boarded the coach, to yet another party hosted by my niece Aisling, and what a spread it was, as again the family were together and happy to be there.
New Year’s Eve brought more snow and ice, this time it was measurable snow and as we sat in O’Dwyers Pub looking out the windows at this winter wonderland, we had no idea that Dublin and indeed most of the country would grind to a halt for the next week. We drudged back to Mum’s house to ring in the New Year and toast the future, and at midnight we were outside to greet neighbors who also opened their doors to wish each other Happy New Year. I visited briefly with a few neighbors and was pelted with snowballs as I returned, sure all the kids were out on the street enjoying themselves.
The weather was the story for the rest of my vacation as airports closed, busses and trains stopped, and the rest of the nation were left to fend for themselves. Cars were abandoned, and those who tried to drive found that a short 10 mile drive to work could take 7 hours—I know it’s crazy. People walked and slithered through icy footpaths and compacted show and many were hurt, the main roads were passable but getting to them was the problem.
On January 2nd, we celebrated Mum’s birthday with a party hosted by my brother Don and his wife Maria. She had a great time, we all did. Friends and family had gathered and it was a great Hooley, songs were sung and glasses were raised to honor the best Mum, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and Mother-in-Law in the world and I hope to be there again for many more of them. There are loads of photographs on my Facebook profile—great memories, and Mum had a great time.
Next morning I said goodbye to my sisters and their families as they made their ways home to London, Birmingham, and Waterford, and at last I had Mum to myself for a few days before I too had to leave. It was the best of all as we watched telly, drank tea and reminisced. I hope she visits us here in Chicago this summer, God Bless you Mum, and love from all of us here.
Re-Seisiun
So, I was watching an Irish Talent Show on television and I saw a great band from Moate in Co. West Meath called Re-Seisiun. They are Liam and Keith Flynn, Steve and Pat Heffernan, and Conor Irwin, and they are really good. They have yet to release an album, but have sent me an MP3 recording which I am playing on our Radio show Blarney on the Air, which you can hear on Monday nights at 7pm Central Time on WDCB.org or on the wireless at 90.9 FM in Chicago.
Re-Seisiun are a young, vibrant and talented band and I just can’t wait for a debut album. Remember—I told you so.
