keeping it local
- Aug 17, 2016
- 2 min read
Today was a Tipperary day.
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It started with a big, hot Irish breakfast of eggs, potatoes, meat, and breads. Then, we did some local shopping and exploring. Downtown Bansha is quite lovely, with not a tourist in sight. Though we all set out at different times and in different directions, including the local butcher's, and we all ended up in the same place. All roads lead to Nellie's.
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Nellie's is a tiny pub in the center of town. There is no food to be served, unless you count the tiny bags of potato chips behind the bar. There is a dividing wall in the center with the bar extending behind the wall to access the back patrons from a tiny little serving spot. There was one family in the back room with a young boy and an infant. The front room has stools at the bar where the few locals sat, chatting it up with the barkeep. There are two small tables with banquet booths and tiny stools. In the middle of the wall is a fireplace. So cozy. Our group took over the entire room, save the bar.
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With Neil's permission, Padraic and Maggie had their first taste of Guinness. Neither was very impressed, but it was a nice moment of family initiation. The rest of us had a toast ourselves, feeling the weight of history with humility and gratitude.
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Back at the Castle, we bustled about with dinner preparations. We snacked on local cheese and crackers and had a beverage. Dinner featured beef, lamb chops, and pork on the barbecue along with roasted veggies, bread, and salad. We sat out on the patio, a spot that has become a favorite at every time of day for us.
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The Russells have been very kind in proving us with both a piano and a nice Gretch guitar. These have been used every day and every night as we sit around singing or stand around the piano learning parts that Carrie wrote of "The Parting Glass."
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We also have used the snooker table every day and sometimes late into the evening. There has not been one night that we've retired before 12 or 1am, with some of staying up hours later than that. No one wants the day to end! This day was especially wonderful and memorable.
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