Reading Lists and Irish Accents

Any trip to Ireland does require a certain familiarity with its authors. For me, the English major, former English teacher ... this starts with Yeats, William Butler Yeats. For some of you, it might start with Bram Stoker ... to each his own ... vampire or mystic poetry ... or somewhere in-between.  For example, Ireland also brought us Frank McCourt (Angela's Ashes), James Joyce (Ulysses), George Bernard Show (Pygmalion), and Oscar Wilde (The Portrait of Dorian Grey) to name but a few. 

For me, thinking about Ireland begins first with the Book of Kells. Although my dear friend Linda brought me some fine books on Ireland, including one on Irish mythology, which I have poured over in what is laughingly known as my "free" time. (Retirement gets a bad knock ... there IS no free time. It's all booked. All pun intended!) 

I thought about plotting an itinerary that "walked in Yeats' footsteps" but that would not have  included enough pubs for the "boyos." County Sligo, a boyhood haunt of Yates, is farther than north than we  will drive. 

Something of Yeats for you: 

We rode in sorrow, with strong hounds three,

Bran, Sceolan, and Lomair.
On a morning misty and mild and fair.
The mist-drops hung on the fragrant trees,
And in the blossoms hung the bees.We rode in sadness above Lough Lean,
For our best were dead on Gavra's green.

Another good friend reminded me of the melodious Irish accent. It's a good thing I'm going with Rob or I may have swooned at the feet of the first Irishman who spoke to me ... assuming any one of them speaks to a woman of a certain age, as I surely am! 

Which in turn brought to mind a duet by Anne Murray and EmmyLou Harris ... one  that speaks to the Irish accent. It also speaks to what happens when our memories fade ... thus, this post is also for our dear friend Judy, who is valiantly fighting the good fight for her remaining time among us. 

But readers ...  do come see me when I'm home and enjoy a pot of tea with me. We'll be bringing lots of good tea home with us. 

But for now, click on the link for the lovely song--"Put On Another Cup of Tea."  

Irish Accent and a Pot of Tea