For Killarney

We were silenced by the night

but you and I are going to rise again

Each Christmas season, we keep a station on our television on all day.

It strictly plays Christmas music and shows various facts and trivia about Christmastime.

One particular song called "Christmas in Killarney" is often playing.

I have such a love/hatred for that song.

I love it, because besides Dun Laughaire, Killarney is my other favorite place in Ireland.

I hate it, because to me, it's mockery.

I've been wanting to visit Killarney since I left.

I get to return in May and the anticipation is growing each day.

I wrote something for Dun Laughaire a while ago, so I thought it would be only fair to give Killarney some love too.

My memories of Kerry are clear.

Before I set foot in "That place with all the flags" our tour guide took us to a beach.

Ireland was experiencing record breaking heat. (Your typical Wisconsin summer temperatures) so our guide let us cool off in the ocean before visiting our next stop.

I hated to leave the beach because it's not everyday I can play in the ocean and see mountains in the distance.

With sticky, sandy, and wet feet my family trudged back to our bus.

Not long after, our bus stopped and our guide told us of some sad news. 

She said usually the people of Killarney are friendly and happy, but recently there had been a tragedy. 

A well known and loved man had died in an explosion and the town was shaken by it. 

I looked out my bus window and I remember wanting to hug the town. 

This hit close to home.

I too, had very recently lost a friend and I knew all too well the pain and darkness of death. 

Despite the sadness, I walked into a friendly, comfortable, and curious little town.

Right away I got a sense that this place was important. I didn't quite know why then, but I now know why today.

I am not sure if I was just longing to be back in Wisconsin but I remember Killarney feeling an awful lot like home.

And the homey feeling never left.

As my mother and I were walking down main street one night, I accidentally pressed record on my camera.

I re watched it a while ago and it always amuses me.

I can hear my voice trailing off in a murmur : Mom. This place is so beautiful! I have to go back. I wish I could live here...

My brother did not like Killarney at all, but from my memory I think I know why.

Due to the sun, there was a sun screen shortage.

We went to O'Donohue's pharmacy and they gave my mother the last bottle they had.

She slathered the sunscreen on herself and my brother. (My mother is Irish and very fair skinned, and my brother takes after her. My sister and I lucked out and got our father's darker features.)

Not long after, my father nudged me and asked if my mother brought glitter along with her on the trip.

I scratched my head puzzled.

She walked ahead glistening in the sun.

She didn't bring glitter.

Then my father wondered if it was the sunscreen.

Next we noticed my brother.

He had double the amount of sunscreen on and was glittering brightly away! (And he had no idea at the time.)

My family still has a great laugh over that.

Killarney continued to charm me.

I met so many people and made so many friends.

I wish I could go back and get their names so I could reconnect when I visit again.

One moment in particular comes to mind.

It was the day before my birthday and my sister, mother and I were wandering around town.

I was lagging behind drinking in my surroundings.

There was squealing and I stopped dead in my tracks.

Across the street was a man in a mask. Two girls seemed to be fawning all over him.

Through their craziness he saw me looking at him. He waved and motioned for me to come over.

With caution I walked across the street and went up to him.

We sheepishly had a conversation and he was overly delighted that I was from the USA.

He pulled me very close and kissed me on the cheek.

He whispered in my ear and said he knew I was taken back by his mask, but he wanted to show me who he really was. He knew tomorrow was my birthday, and wanted to give me a gift so I agreed to meet him in his shop later.

 

He kissed me on the cheek again and slipped a pink balloon into the palm of my hand.

I never went back to his shop, and to this day I feel a little bad about it, but I will always remember his kindness and the twinkle in his eyes.

Niall, a man from a candy store ended up talking with my mother and I for hours.

He even gave me free candy for my birthday. I hope to see him again, though I doubt he will remember me.

I remember St Mary's, and a beautiful dress I spotted in a window, but the shop door was always locked.

My last memories of Killarney occurred in what I'd call heaven.

There is a popular place called The Grand.

It's a place that is never ending fun.

In the front when you walk in there is a pub type of setting, in the middle is a stage and the bar, and in the end there is a dance floor and club.

The Grand was the place I came alive.

The place I could finally be wild and free.

My sister didn't like it much, so I didn't get to stay long.

I usually keep what I did there to myself, but what I can say is the next day my tour guide informed me I was the talk of the town.

Various people had apparently come up to her all night asking who I was.

My tour guide also saw an "almost kiss" I had with someone, but my sister pulled me away from the man.

As my sister, a girl from our group and I walked back to our beautiful hotel, our fellow traveler shook her head at me.

She repeatedly asked me: "How do you make all these Irish men fall to your feet? They swarm to you!"

This was so strange to all of us.

Especially alarming to me.

All this love and affection was overwhelming.

Truth be told, I had never been kissed by so many men in my life.

They seemed to be like lost puppies, wander up to me, pull me aside and randomly plant a kiss on my cheek or lips.

I think my blushing didn't die down until a day or two later.

For the rest of the trip my tour group and guide teased me about my moments in Killarney. 

I joked with my mother that If I ever wanted to get married, all I'd have to do is revisit Kerry.

Killarney is special to me. It always will be.

It was the first town that made me feel a spark.

The nights are magic and the days are romantic.

The people are lovely and the atmosphere is home.

The forest is enormous and it has my secrets.

Killarney is like beautiful poetry.

It steals your heart, and makes your eyes want more.

It will always be a second home to me and I can't wait to return.

Thank you Killarney for all the love!

We may have been separated but we will rise again.

See you soon!

I have never felt so loved in my life.

You'd better be ready.