#lyonsofardagh

It has been a while but Tom Jones and his wife Mary, our lovely retired couple from Sligo have been spreading the news about Lovely Longford yet again. Tom’s brother Joe and his American wife Sue have been planning a trip to Ireland. Joe want’s his wife to see some of our ancient sites and traditions while still getting the comfort she has grown accustomed to on their journey from Dublin to Sligo so he asked Tom for some suggestions. Tom has it all worked out and has emailed Joe below, although perhaps it is Mary who has been working it out and typing his mail! We’ll never know.

“ Joe,

 I have been counting down the days ‘til you arrive here in Sligo. It has been way too long. There aren’t too many of the old crew around but we will still get a memorable sing song or two. I know you have your days all figured out for Dublin, but I was thinking you’ll be needing a day of rest for your weary bones after being pulled and dragged through the shops  and perhaps you could enjoy a bit of culture on your way down to us too. I have a plan!

Mary and I were thinking we might travel halfway up and meet you in Longford. There is an award winning restaurant and guest house called Viewmount House just at the edge of Longford town on the Dublin Road. Mary has been dying to go there since our last visit to Longford as everyone seems to rave about it but we haven’t had a proper excuse until now. I think Sue would love it.  Maybe I could book us in for dinner and the night on Friday 29th January seeing as it is your anniversary and we were your bestman and bridesmaid. Check it out here and see what you think, http://www.viewmounthouse.com/  and for Sue and her Facebook she can look here: https://www.facebook.com/Viewmount-...

It seems that on Saturday, 30th January, those lovely ladies I was telling you about in Creative Ardagh, are hosting a Saint Brigid’s Day workshop. Now, don’t have palpitations, I have looked into it and  it won’t be too difficult for your rusty old brain. They will be getting the visitors, young and old, to try their hands at making a Brigid’s Cross and perhaps add a bit to a Brigid’s Cloak while they impart some local knowledge about the connections with Brigid and St. Mel etc. ( I won’t spoil it for you, they tell it so well!!) This would be right up Sue’s street and her into crafting and what not.  Sue can fill her shopping bags with handmade crafts from their Craft Shop, quality, locally made products that won’t break the bank, while she is there and you can spend a while browsing the heritage exhibition. It’s well worth a visit. Sure you can find out more yourself on their website, www.creativeardagh.com or if Sue wants to facebook it she will find it on www.facebook.com/creativeardagh.  Have a look here and see what you and Sue think and get back to me. https://www.facebook.com/events/870...

If you want, we can take a stroll through the village and look for the mysterious Brigid’s Well and get lost on the way in the ‘Local’ https://www.facebook.com/lyonspubsa...  while our better halves have a cupán tae in the centre and they take over the wheel from then on.

The last time we called in to the centre we met the husband of one of the ladies who is involved in the development of a tourist centre beside Granard Motte, the highest Motte & Bailey in Ireland. https://www.facebook.com/GranardMot... He has offered to bring me up the Motte and to visit the Dolmen in Aughnacliffe on my next visit so maybe we could do that too in the morning as the workshop doesn’t start until 3pm and we will be carrying a hearty breakfast. That’ll be your exercise covered. I’ll give him a ring.

We can take our time heading back to Sligo. You can follow me because I know you have forgotten the way by now.