Katy’s funeral

Katy’s funeral yesterday was a lovely personal tribute, but she died far too soon at 76. Her brother John did the eulogy where I learned that part of her childhood had been very difficult because of certain family members. This resonated with me. Her life was a mix of happy and sad (especially regarding Brice) but she was a very good and kind person who was always there for others and was very much part of her community as well as a loyal and loving mother and wife. We went to the Torrance Hotel for a purvey, and there was much talk of a future cousins’ get together. It was nice chatting to the usual suspects, they are actually a pleasant bunch. It’s strange to think that I was so scared of some of them when I was a child. Back at the house I socialised with the cats; the heatwave continues and the sky was a hard bright blue. In due course I caught my plane from Dublin to Limerick which was nice and quiet. The steward was a bit of a joker and enlivened the flight with his commentary. 

For example; “We have landed 13 minutes early, which proves that Ryanair is not always late. Only almost always. I’m joking.

If you smoke, quit. It’s not good for you and it’s very expensive especially in Ireland. 16 euros for 20 cigarettes is robbery. But if you do smoke you must use the designated smoking areas at the airport. If you get caught smoking elsewhere the fine is quite nasty and you will deserve it.” 

My subsequent two and a half hour bus ride to Limerick also went to plan. When we arrived at Castletroy, the driver was wound up to a surprisingly sudden rage by two drunken youths who approached us, to the extent that a kindly passenger had to calm him down and guide him back onto the bus. “I was attacked at Dublin airport last week,” he explained before driving away. I had a 20 minutes walk through the barely dark streets to my hotel. The sky seemed to retain the summer light. It felt so strangely pleasant to be walking along in such a warm night in a city I have never visited. By 1.30 a.m. this morning I was tucked up in my bed.