Day 18 – from Sligo to Ballaghaderreen

Left Sligo with the great new CD from Dervish spinning in the car; The Thrush in the Storm – really love track 3; Maggie’s Lilt, and Track 7: The Corner House. I left at 1:00 and fully expected to be in Roscommon town in an hour or so. BUT! There was an accident on the road and traffic was stopped fro an hour or more. Finally decided to turn around and find a detour. Now I probably should have followed the Guinness truck (praying “please let a full keg roll off!”) which was doing the same thing but he went West and I went East. Anyways the trip took 2.5 hours but finally arrive at the hoje of Gerry & Paula Kelly. It is Halloween and the 3 year olds were a dinosaur & spiderman. Lovely visit and dinner then off to Joanie’s for another visit & another dinner. Joanie is 84 and doing great & it just seems it’s easier to just say thank you and eat my eggs & rashers. Finally off to Ballaghaderreen Co. Roscommon to Spell’s Bar & meet up with my host Neil Spell. Last year he invited me to come down early for the Thursday session for beers and he would find a room for me. Loads of fun with Neil. The session was quite mighty with Frank Jordan, flute (now 90!) and PJ Hernihan, box. Michael (harmonica) shows up & says Phil (piano) was feeling poorly & wouldn’t be down. Then someone in a witch costume with a rubber monkey face sits down with the musicians saying nothing. He/she leaves & 2 minutes later Phil (Philamine) shows up. Great costume Phil!

One observation; I have met many Irish people who are in their 80’s & 90’s who are doing very well. That says something about the climate and the lifestyle.