Dublin

You have to scratch beneath the surface to find the hidden treasures of Dublin.

My mother has been in the Tallaght Choral Society for thirty five years.  It has 110 amateur members.  They perform a couple of concerts every year.

Last year they performed a Mozart mass in Westland Row Church in Tara Street. It's hard to give justice to the choir singing in the most beautiful of surroundings.  My friend asked me to bring her wheelchair-bound mother.  At first I baulked because of all the logistics in getting her into the church.  But as usual, people couldn't be helpful enough and she got a seat near to the top of the church.  The effect the concert had on her was amazing.  I later learned that she grew up near the church and used to sneak into it when she was a child.  She adored the music and sat with her eyes closed nodding to it for most of the night.

Later that year they performed a Baroque concert in Clarenden Street Church. Again this church is very plain on the outside but had intricate details inside, as was the building practice of the time.  It was on a sweltering June evening and the church was full.  I had never been in the church before but it's stunning inside.  At the end of the first half they sang,'Zadok the Priest,' by Handel (known from the famous football ad.)  It, quite simply, made the hairs on the back of my neck stand-up.

Another treat was in January.  Every year Joseph.M.W.Turner's watercolours exhibition takes place in the National Gallery.  The exhibition is only held in January due to the low light at that time of year.  Turner's evolution as a painter is apparent and the fine detailing of his watercolours merit a very close viewing.  Also my birthday is in January, therefore I feel, egotistically,  that it is my prerogative to visit this every year.  If you haven't seen it, please do, but you'll have to wait another nine months.

There are so many other hidden gems in Dublin worth visiting.  For example, the IFI, The National Concert Hall, and the National Gallery, where the staff are always helpful and friendly.  The free concerts in Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park. I love that I can travel from Meath and be parked and in the Olympia Theatre within an hour.

The hop-on hop-off buses touring Dublin are also a brilliant way to spend a day.  I once was involved in taking a school tour with 35 schoolchildren around Dublin.  We stopped at Christchurch Cathedral, Kilmainham Gaol and Collins Barracks.  The commentary by the 'Dub' bus drivers was hilarious and much more entertaining than bus tours I've done in other cities.

I'm a Dub but I've lived half my life in Meath.  Meath has given me a family, a job and a home.  But, Dublin will always be special for me. 

Cathedral

When I was seventeen I was sent to Strasbourg on a student exchange.  The family I went to stay with had a daughter of seventeen and a son of eighteen.  They were the coolest, most chic people I ever met, Clare and Eric.  I never knew what adventure lay ahead with them: partying by a lake for the night, sneaking into German health spas, (by climbing over fences) growing all manner of unusual plants in their bedrooms.

On one of the final nights in Strasbourg they woke me up at five in the morning.  Told me to dress warmly and follow them as they picked up a couple of friends along the way. At that time of the night in France all the boulangeries were baking and the smell wafting down the streets was divine.

Finally we got to the square in the middle of the city.  The huge cathedral was in front of us.  Then Clare and Eric informed me that we were going to climb up the side of the cathedral.  It was the 1980's and  I was wearing heels.

There was scaffolding on the side of the building.  We climbed over small fencing and started to climb.  I never objected at any point. It just felt like the most exhilarating adventure.  Even when we spotted Gendarmerie and had to freeze for a moment.

It didn't take long for us to get to the top of the building.  There was a gift shop and we sat outside and chatted, smoking casually.  Then Clare announced that we were going up the tightly wound spiral staircase that lead to the very top of the cathedral.

At the top we sat down on the cold stone stairs and looked between the medieval windows.  The wind blew in quick gusts around my then, long hair.  Strasbourg was breathtakingly beautiful below with the dawn breaking on the horizon.

It's probably one of the happiest memories of my life.  My whole life ahead ................

Box of Tissues

The first thing she saw when she entered the room was a box of tissues on the small coffee table, in between the two low chairs.  How presumptuous of her to do that.  As if they would be needed, and nothing else.

Louise looked around the room, taking in as many details as possible.  The books about personal development along with 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.' Unexpected in a room for counselling she thought.  There were children's drawings blue-tacked to the wall.  Did the counsellor have children, or were they nieces and nephews.  

Gentle, soothing music was playing on a stereo and somewhere, she couldn't see where, there was a scented candle burning.  

They sat down.  Louise had to recap her week.  Talk about how she had progressed with her goals.  It felt one-sided.  Telling the counsellor all of these intimate details but knowing nothing about her.  Louise looked for clues about the woman sitting across from her, staring hard into her eyes: She was well dressed but not in an old-fashioned way.  Had dark brown eyes which were very intense when they bored through her.  No wedding ring.  Slim and exuding a calming presence.  She suited her job.

Louise broached the harder subjects, it had been a hard week.  The counsellor asked questions she didn't like but she listened and understood everything that was being discussed.  Louise felt a well of emotion over-run her.  She desperately didn't want to cry or use those tissues.  She took a deep breath and swallowed as deeply as she could.

The time went quickly after that.  Goals for next week were discussed.  

'No tissues were needed,' thought Louise. ' I win,' as she wandered back out into the real world.

Another Day in Renting Paradise- A to Z Challenge

This is my first post on the A to Z Challenge.  I hope you will bare with me on this challenge as I'm a novice at writing and Blogging. Please see
amloki.blogspot.ie

Diane and Teresa sat on the second-hand sofa together, watching a soap on the battered T.V. The third member of the group of girls that were renting, Sorcha, had gone upstairs with her boyfriend.  Diane and Sorcha had had dinner together before Teresa came home late and sodden from her job.

Sorcha was in love and this made the girls very happy.  The three girls had met through an ad in the local paper but they had hit it off immediately.  Partying and chatting together, almost like sisters.  When Sorcha met David it had unbalanced the group but he quickly became a part of the gang.

Diane noticed the noise first.  From upstairs.  She laughed to herself and turned the volume up on the T.V.  Concentrating on the storyline of the soap.  Unfortunately the bedroom was above the sitting room and the walls were not thin.

Finally, Teresa, sat bolt upright.  Looked in terror at Diane and said,

"Crap, do you hear that squeaking?  I think we've got............mice!"

The one that got away

She looked for £5,000 cash.  And she never took her sunglasses off.

I had only begun working as a cashier in Dundalk branch that morning.  I needed to appear efficient.  This had not been helped by my wearing one dark navy and one black shoe to work that morning, after getting dressed hurriedly in the dark.  Nobody noticed my error in the hectic bank.

The woman came up to my counter early that day.  She wore a headscarf and sunglasses.  It wasn't sunny out but they made her look glamorous, even if she was middle-aged.  Then she asked for the cash.  I was worried about handing over that amount even though there was plenty of money in the account.  The staff of the branch knew her and told me to give it to her.

Then I looked closely at her.  Her sunglasses covered two puffy eyes.  Make-up covered the bruises.  Once I noticed it, I couldn't take my eyes off her.  She shifted uncomfortably.  I asked her to fill in the form.  Then I saw her fingers.  The tops of all her fingers had been damaged.  They were old injuries.  The skin had regrown but the fingers looks mutilated.  Two of her finger nails were missing altogether.  Again, it was an old injury.  

Shaking, I gave her the money and she left, saying very little.  I was busy all day but I could not forget her.  

At three o'clock a man appeared at the counter.  He was friendly and very chatty.  He told me that he had to go to Cork and needed a couple of thousand from his account.  I immediately realised it was the same joint account that the lady had withdrawn money from.  Once I verified his identity I got the money ready.  He rambled, unnecessarily, as I counted it out.  "My wife decided to go to Cork on the spur of the moment.  I don't know why she does things like that.  You know women, impulsive."

I handed him the money without a word.  I hope she got away.

The Next Big Thing

The Next Big Thing

Last week I was asked by Trish Nugent, the eminent writer and part-time actress, to join an on-line blogging chain-''The Next Big Thing.

We met at Christmas Twitter Single last year and at the launch of Louise Phillips book 'Red Ribbons.'  Every occasion was illuminating, enlightening and.....great craic.  I also met Jillian Godsil, Susan Condon, Deirdre Tracey and Annemarie Miles and, naturally, the creator of TXS, Brenda Drumm.  These women are all wonderful reasons for being on Twitter.  

Trish Nugent can be found at trishnugentwriter.wordpress.com and on twitter @Trish_Nugent.   Looking forward to her book of poetry, due soon 'The Bisto Tin.'

My Next Big Thing

I'm writing a young adult book about life on Tara around 200A.D.  The story centres around a young woman who has been kidnapped from her home in Wales and is taken to marry the Chieftain of Tara.  She meets people who do not want her to be a part of the royal family. However she slowly assimilates into their lifestyle.  She has a family but not without heartache.  Her first born is healthy, her second doesn't survive and her final son has a disability.  She will also have to deal with the Celtic tradition of fostering boys between families at the age of seven.  

What is the working title for your book?

Yseult (pronounced ee-salt) 

Where did the idea come from for the book?

I moved near Tara 20 years ago.  At first I couldn't see what the hype was about.  Then I started walking around the hill on a regular basis.  Little by little, I fell in love with it: The Mound of Hostages, Grainne's Rath, the Sloping Trenches and the little Fairy Tree with artefacts and messages of hope stuck to the branches.  I wondered about Tara during it's glory days, after all, 143 Kings were crowned at the Lia Fail.

What genre does your book fall under?

It's young adult fiction with historical background.

Which actors would you choose in a movie rendition of your book?

I'd choose Gemma Arterton as my leading lady.  She has the right mixture between looking aloof and snapping into action when needed.  For the leading man I'd choose Eric Bana because he's very, ahem, er, talented.  

What is the one sentence synopsis for your book?

Kidnapped, Yseult knows she has to adapt or die with her captors.  

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your novel?

It has taken me a year so far.  The story is a labour of love and all I wish is that my son may read it in years to come.  I want it to be as historically accurate as possible which is slowing the process down.

What other books would you compare yours to within your genre?

I don't know as I've avoided any books that may be similar for the moment.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I've always loved books with historical backgrounds.  I recently finished reading 'Suite Francaise.'  It brings a very important part of our history to life. 

Also Tara Hill itself inspires me.  Kevin's Sacred Well is a special place of peacefulness for me.

What else about your book might pique your readers interest?

At the end of the book, Yseult will have to go to a completely different civilisation to save her family.....

When and how will it be published?

It should be published around the time I win the lotto and loose four stone.  But, joking aside, I will post the final draft to several publishers and if someone is interested, all the better.  If not, at least I've gotten the story out of my head. 

Thanks for reading so far...

And NOW *drumroll* I introduce you to my next three people in the blogging chain.  Two men who are new to blogging and a published author.

Adrian Mc Kenna

Adrian (@Ado_mack on twitter) had a career in hairdressing for 21 years.  He returned to education in 1999 having never completed his leaving cert.  In the ensuing years he studied, counselling, psychology, disability studies and is just finishing a BA in Applied Social Studies.  

Ado has been writing since he became a father 28 years ago, but only started blogging in late 2012.  His blog came to the attention of the Campaign for Children and he was asked to write for their website, on foot of this he was asked to sit on the national committee for the YES Campaign for Children working on the Children's referendum. 

His blog, (www.adomackno1965.wordpress.com) is a mixture of serious pieces on child welfare and personal anecdotes, balanced with poetry for Children and Adults.  

His Next Big Thing will be writing for the Irish Association of Social Care Managers website.  He continues to present honest views on working in the crisis care sector in Ireland.  

Ado maintains a very visible presence on social media and can be found on Facebook, LinkedIn,  Yahoo, Twitter, Instagram and Aboutme.

He is married to Nuala for 27 years and has one son Dave who is 28 and is Trainee Officer in the Navy.

John Hassett

John Hassett is a 42 year old who has totally changed his life.  He spent 14 years in active addiction.  He nearly lost his life on several occasions.  He decided to get sober and clean and has watched his new life unfold since.  He is a French polisher by trade but was unable to continue due to a severe neck injury and surgery.

John's ambition at present is to use his years of both addiction and recovery to help teens.  He is hoping to tell his story in schools to teenagers.  A very good friend encouraged John to join social media.  He started his blog (www.johnhassettjh.wordpress.com ) which is a look at addiction and recovery and will be a take on this rather strange world.  His Next Big Thing is to write a book about his experiences, hopefully to help young people and make them aware of the dangers of addiction.  He can also be found on twitter @TattooedJH. 

John is an avid runner, loves motorbikes and ... tattoos.

Caroline Finnerty

Caroline Finnerty is the author of 'In a Moment' published by Poolbeg Press.  She was also a contributor to the charity anthology 'All I Want for Christmas' in aid of Barnardos.  Previously she was short-listed for the RTE Guide/Penguin Ireland short story competition. She lives in Co. Kildare with her husband, three year-old daughter,one year old boy/girl twins and their dog.  (Where does she get the energy?)  

She is currently editing her second novel 'A Small Hand in Mine' which will be released in Summer 2013.  Caroline has also had articles published in the Daily Mail, Woman's Way Magazine and in various parenting magazines.  

You can find her on www.carolinefinnerty.ie or on twitter @cfinnertywriter.  

<I should point out that Caroline was asked to take part in this blogging chain before by Shirley Benton.  Proving the popularity of this idea and I thank her and Adrian and John for allowing me to tag them.> 

Ventry days

A herd of children running around sand dunes and a beach. Teenagers sitting together trying to look disinterested. Parents cooking food on a barbecue on the sand, which is still warm from the beautiful day.

It gets dark. More teenagers congregate. Parents open the wine and a guitar is produced. Everyone gathers around the fire on the beach, blankets on their knees. People take turns singing songs and everyone joins in the chorus. The younger children are getting tired and cuddle into their parents. The teenagers look tentatively at their heart's desire across the fire.

There are a few nationalities there. Two Liverpudlians who can sing any Beatles song. French students. Dubs.... Finally the children are put to bed in the mobile homes on the other side of the sand dunes. The teenagers are on babysitting duty. Parents continue to sing into the night.

Many years have passed. Five couples, families and their children, now with grandchildren. We all gather in Ventry every year....still. The parents are now lovingly called 'The Wrinklies.' Followed by another group called 'The Wobblies.' Friendships have endured decades.

Children still play freely and happily on the beach. One of the group was taken from us very suddenly this Summer. Ventry will not the same. But the memories are wonderful.. Thank you.... Ray and Maire.

P.S. I'm glad you didn't get to go windsurfing, in the pitch dark, with a torch taped to the front of your board Dad. Sorry for telling on you to Mum. xx

R.I.P. Valerie xxx