Ramblings
Mon, Feb 9, 2009
Hello,
On behalf of the O’Donoghue family I would like to say thank you for all the sympathy cards, flowers, emails, letters, Mass cards and guestbook entries sent from near and far. Each one gave comfort at this sad moment in our lives. Losing our mother Bryda was and continues to be an emotional roller coaster for the family...I suppose only time can heal some wounds. I recognize that in many ways we were very lucky, Mammy passed away peacefully in her sleep as she had wanted, she told us so several times. She wasn’t sick so to speak, just the assortment of ailments associated with being eighty-six, but she accepted these minor conditions, albeit begrudgingly so.
Her passing came as a great surprise and shock to me, I had just spent the week with her and we had a lovely time. Little did I know that three days later she would be gone. Had it happened at another time of year we might not have been able to secure airline seats but as luck would have it Traci, the children and I were flying across the Atlantic just hours after the phone call.
I was extremely happy that my children were there to experience the emotions; raw, intense and unfettered as we stood vigil over my mother in the lower room of the house all day and night…the final moments when we said our last goodbye, the closing and carrying of the coffin out to the hearse, the short journey to the church, the beautiful music and setting inside, the readings, offerings, eulogies and that last walk through the town when the sun warmed us against a cold Irish January morning.
We lowered her down by hand as we had done three and a half years before with my father…all very very sad.
Personally I thought Bryda was good for a few more years, but there you go. She had a nice send off , the funeral was huge, so big in fact that traffic got backed up all around Drogheda and came to a standstill for a few minutes.
They say that writing about something like this is therapeutic but I must admit I don’t feel any better. They also say that a funeral is a time to celebrate a someones life but I didn’t feel like celebrating anything on the day…and still don’t. It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do… I’m still in a daze. My love for this woman is something I can’t begin to express and when I closed the door of 317 Brookville last Sunday the continuity of my life changed forever with that clu-clunk sound, a sound I’ve always associated with home and my life in Ireland.
On Sunday February 22 we will have a Remembrance Mass for my mother, Bryda O’Donoghue at 6.30PM in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1802 Abercorn St, Savannah, Georgia. 912-232-0274. My dear friend Fr. Liam Collins will say the Mass and we will have music in the Celtic tradition…all to be followed by a short get together in the adjoining community room. Everyone is welcome, and back in Ireland that same morning the rest of the family will celebrate mammy’s months mind in the Dominican Church on Dominick Street.
Again thank you for your kind words, thoughts and prayers. If we meet in the near future and I seem somewhat reserved or quiet please know that it’s just part of my present journey and no reflection on friends and acquaintances.
My own good thoughts are with my friend Ron Smith as he continues his battle against a serious illness. And of course to Barbara who has the strength and compassion of many as she comforts her life long partner and love. Chin up, more good times are to come!!
While I was in Ireland last week I couldn’t help but notice how the economy has taken a downturn, it seems the Celtic Tiger has left the jungle. Deals are to be had everywhere and upon my return to Savannah I called Fiona at Isle Inn Tours to see how this could be reflected in our summer Tour. The result is a price drop of $200 per person on the June Celtic Dream Tour. The new tour cost is: $ 2,799.00 and includes everything on the brochure, including all taxes, security fees, tips, hotels, luxury coach, full itinerary and hotel room on the night we fly…no waiting for your room at seven in the morning. Have a look at the full brochure, I’m very happy…and… the dollar is trading up 40 cents from last year so that puts the Tour into the ‘great value’ column. Call Fiona at 1-800-237-9376 ext 18 to sign on.
Please check the calendar of events, of which there are many. I hope to be distracted by my upcoming performances with:
Ed Miller…St Peter Claver Church, Feb 13
Roger Drawdy….Augusta, Feb 20th
Carroll Brown, The Dady Brothers…Beaufort Irish Festival…Feb 21st.
Cherish the Ladies…Tara Feis…March 14th.
We're all set to resume our Irish Folk Nights in Statesboro. Jim Lanier and the folks at Loco's have decided to be our new hosts...thanks guys...and the first set of performances in our new location is scheduled for Monday March 2nd ( 2 shows @ 7 and 9.00PM ) and Tuesday March 3rd (1 show @ 9.00PM ).
Again details are on the events calendar page. We're also looking for a new name for these events so if you come up with something catchy let us know.
As I look on my catalog of music (10 CD’S) I’ve decided it’s time to downsize so when current supplies run out I will no longer re-order. I’ll put a few compilations together to clear the road for at least one new project with Gabriel Donahue. And as of now all items in our online store and at my shows will be on sale.
OK, that’s it for now…thanks for everything…see you out there. Be safe be happy, do good things.
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