Happy St. Patrick’s Day – My Ireland Memory

St. Patrick's Day

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

Every year on St. Patrick’s Day I remember back to when I was a teenager and traveled to Ireland as part of a talented group of cheerleaders from all over the United States to learn dance routines in only a matter of a couple of days, perform those routines at Kilkenny castle and the Lord Mayor’s Ball, and ultimately strut our stuff and perform in the Dublin St. Patrick’s Day parade. It’s kind of a big deal over there, in case you didn’t know. Like, a really big deal. Thousands upon thousands line the streets and the energy is something I simply can’t put into words. Leading up to parade day we spent rigorous hours learning choreographed numbers that we would be performing in various cities as we traveled from Cork to Kilkenny and finishing our journey in Dublin. I remember we were split onto two buses because of the size of our group, each bus having a local tour guide to show us around for a little fun while we were there. I can still remember the lovely lady who sat at the front of our bus sharing all of the special history with the most delightful accent. I just love an Irish accent, don’t you? Her name was Deidre and she had short curly hair, red of course, and skin that was pale, but fair and flawless. Probably my favorite memory of the entire trip was when she told us a touching story and shared a special song with us called Cockles and Mussels, also known as Molly Malone. We all had so much fun singing at the top of our lungs like we had something more to offer than just some cheerleading and dance moves. We sang it. Oh yes we did. To this day, I love to belt out that song and I can still remember every word and even the sound of Deidre’s voice as she sang it for us. Of course my family looks at me like I’ve lost my mind, but that’s okay because that’s how they look at me most of the time anyhow.

Okay, so I searched and searched to find a good rendition of the song – I wish Flip video cameras were around in 1989 so I could have a video of Deidre to share, but yeah, not so much. Here’s one that I like because it shows the lyrics below the video, which means you must sing along as loud as possible. Seriously. You must.

Comments

  1. What a cool memory. My husband has played this song for me. 15 years ago I spent St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland and met my husband in Ennis, Co. Clare where his family is from (really from Lissycasey – a town not too far out from Ennis). I was on a 2 week vacation (I’m from New Jersey) I miss Ireland! Have you gone back since?
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    • Wait. Your husband is Irish? That is so cool! I have never been back, but I would really love to go again and take my family. I didn’t get to kiss the Blarney stone the first time, so I really should go back, right?!

      • Yup he’s Irish. 🙂 We met over there in a Pub. Have been back only twice since it’s so expensive for the 5 of us to go back as often as we’d like. My 1st time there I kissed the Blarney Stone. Have you heard what the locals supposedly do to it though? LOL

  2. I studied abroad at Oxford and from the day I got there, I couldn’t wait to take a weekend trip to Ireland. I remember flying into Dublin and seeing the landscape from the air – it was the greenest place I’d ever seen! I had so much fun that weekend – the people were so friendly and helpful. I have to admit that I liked being somewhere that my red hair was the norm and not the exception, too! 🙂
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