Sean's Space

Sunday 14 December 2008

Attended at 7.00 p.m. in St. Mary’s Church, Lordship, for the carol singing which started at 7.30 p.m.  "I want to sit near the door," I pleaded to Paul McNeill, "I might want to go to the toilet."  As it happened I had no problem – the service ran smoothly and smartly and was over around 8.10 p.m.  "They could have sung a few more," Eva complained to me and Ann Murphy as we walked out of the church.  "Aye, they didn’t sing ‘O Little Town’," I agreed.  "No nor ‘Once in Royal David’s City’," Ann said in support.  "I love that one," Ann said with some enthusiasm and waving her arms in the air in front of her she remarked, "You can see the whole picture.  It just says it all!"  Ann and I assured Eva she would hear these carols and "O Holy Night" (which Eva also mentioned) in "Bellurgan."  Rosanna at home when I came in from the carol service.  She had a bottle of Cooley "Tyrconnell" whiskey and two bottles of wine – her prize for coming third in the scramble/turkey trot.  I had given her a €20 note around 10.00 a.m. this morning to pay the €15 entry fee (including a plate of dinner), just before she and Og set out for Greenore for the 11.15 a.m. shotgun start.  Rosanna played with Len Hennebry and John O’Reilly and some formula was used to work out their score because Noel Toner who was supposed to play with them rang in at 10.00 a.m. and pulled out.  Sean Og played poorly Rosanna reported.  I ate a washed pear, a small Gala apple, a glass of milk for lunch.  Took a siesta and got up around 5.00 p.m. and in my robe, fried three medium sized microwaved Roosters which Rosanna has left this morning, grilled 3 rashers, reheated some boiled cauliflower in the microwave, ate all with brown sauce, and a glass of milk to follow.  I was a bit uptight about the carol service and worried whether my bladder would hold out.  Vincent Tuite on my left.  Paul McNeill on my right sang harmony in Silent Night.  Catherine Baldwin, Fidelis, Ann Murphy beyond Vincent.  All of us in the back row.  "It’s great to hear the children?" I pondered quizzically to Tom Goslin near the road outside the church.  "The adults certainly played their part, too!" he retorted giving me a clap on the back.  I listened to O’Brien on Song on RTE Radio I as I waited in Clarke Station in the Yaris for Eamonn to arrive at 9.45 p.m. on his way back from Cootehall.  He turned the program off peremptorily as I turned the exit from the station to go down the Town.  Leah’s sister Cara went in to Longford Mental Hospital today.  Anne suffering from a head-cold when I rang in the afternoon.  She had been at two separate parties last night – one with the ICA in Café Romanza in Drogheda and another with her work-mates from TK Maxx in the Glenside Hotel where she danced until 2.00 a.m.  Had coffee and pale shortcake biscuits twice later in the day.  Sweet but caused a touch of acid in my stomach during my siesta and afterwards.  Red plaid design on the biscuit box.