Day 10 A day of rest

 Day 10 A day of rest

The Atlantic Ocean this morning

After my big day out yesterday, I had decided to make today a day of rest. The one thing I was going to do was to visit Nora Curtin (Marie's Mum) up at the Curtin farm.

But I started with a sleep in - didn't wake up until 8am. By the time I had read all the email and blog comments and responded, time was marching on and the Mass bell rang all too quickly at 9.45am.

There were 2 masses this morning - the usual 10 am Mass and the funeral Mass for Carmel Kenny at 12 noon. I opted for the 10 am Mass, and today we prayed for a local lady who had had a total heart transplant, and we prayed for the donor's family. 

Marie was picking me up to take me up to see her Mum, so I just had time to squeeze in a quick coffee at Val's after my usual walk along the Beach.

The Atlantic Ocean this morning

I was waiting out the front for Marie and I could see all the people coming along to the Church for the funeral Mass.

The note on the door of Kenny's Woolen Mills

In a village like this, the Church is still very much the focus and central point for the majority of the people who live there. Every morning on the local radio station (Clare FM) after the 9am news, they read out the names of  those people from Clare who have died recently.It is compulsory listening for many of the locals.

Anyway, Marie came along and picked me up and took me to the Curtin farm. For those who don't know the story, this is the farm from which my great grandfather (John Curtin) emigrated in the 1850s. His brother Michael inherited the farm, and Michael is the great grandfather of Marie and Sean (who still works this farm). Nora was married to Pat Curtin who sadly died at the early age of  54 in 1980. Nora managed to keep the farm going until Sean was in the position to take it over. She still lives on the farm and has reached the grand old age of 96 not out!

Nora and Moira

Nora and Marie

Nora is always so pleased to see you and welcomes you with open arms. I just love being at the farm, as it holds so much significance in our family history. I'll just include a few pics to show what its like...

Curtin farm

Curtin farm

Curtin cows

Views from the Curtin farm

Views from the Curtin farm

Beautiful hydrangeas 

Nora beside the peat fire

So that has been the main event on my nice and easy day of rest. I might wander down to the ocean again, and maybe have that half pint of Smithwicks. Haven't had one for a few days!

Smithwicks at Danny Macs.

Had a lovely dinner at The Atlantic... Roast Turkey and Ham. After dinner I had a wonderful walk along the promenade and watched the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean.... so spectacular!!

Sunset over the Atlantic

Sunset over the Atlantic