After the show, we waited around for Jim and Lillian while the performers and crew had a short meeting about how the evening had gone. We were basking in the glow of the new music we had discovered and very happy we had made the effort to come. After the meeting Darrell asked me if I was going to tell the world how wonderful these young Irish musicians were via my website. It was a tad disconcerting to realize that he had been there, but I had no trouble assuring him anyone who read my site would know about them. He told me to watch out in the late Spring when Clare would finally have a CD done and ready for public consumption. No problem there! Her voice is magnificent and her songs meaningful. I told him I'd be in line right after him to buy it.
Anyone who says the Irish don't celebrate St. Patrick's Day the way we do in the States is barking up the wrong shamrock bush. We wove our way through the crowded streets crowded with revelers. Everyone in town was out on the town, including the out-of-towners. Many had come from elsewhere, Dublin included, to celebrate in Cork. It was a happening place with so many shows and events going on, you couldn't count them.
We ended up at the Bodega, a happening place that used to be a big warehouse or something. The place was huge with tables all over (occupied) and a very high ceiling. We wove our way to the bar and Darrell pointed us in the direction of the corner where the group was hanging out. I ordered a ginger ale since I was really tired and the lack of sleep was beginning to catch up with me. Vic wasn't happy with the loud music, so he bugged out early. Jim was disappointed he couldn't have a Smithwick's - no ale at the Bodega.
While we waited for the drinks, a perfect stranger came up to me and struck up a conversation. She was pleasantly drunk but picked up immediately that I was not a local. She had come down from Dublin to celebrate with friends. When I told her I was from Philadelphia, she screamed (it was the only way to be heard at the noisy bar) and proceeded to entertain me with the entire theme song to the Prince of Bel Air! I thought it was hilarious that the only thing she knew about Philadelphia was that it was the birthplace of Will Smith. I like Will Smith too, so we were able to have a small loud conversation about him. We battled our way over to the corner table under the steps and commandeered a few chairs from other places. Val from the festival was there and invited the musicians to come with her to her house the next day so they could see a bit of the countryside. She lives in Ballycotton, a seaside town a bit southeast of Cork. Without a car here, it's the only way I'm going to get to see anywhere, so I was excited.
Val was very friendly and I found it easy to talk with her. Soon, Jim was finished his beer and wanting to go in search of a Smithwick's. Val drew a little map for us to follow to get to the Tiki. Despite the completeness of the map, traveling through Cork City at midnight, winding through dark unfamiliar streets was a task we were not up to. By the time we found the Tiki it had closed. Finding a cab to take us back to the hotel was equally futile. It seemed like a long way back but we finally began to recognize the streets. We stopped to get a bite to eat and brought the goodies back to the hotel room to eat. No one was hanging in the lounge. I was a bit disappointed since Jim had told me about the sessions that had taken place there the previous nights, but it was for the best. I had been up for about 40 hours with 2 hours sleep. Off to bed after saying goodnight to Jim and Lillian and thanking them for inviting us. I was so glad we came! |
