Irish Gale
- bevclyde45
- Nov 16, 2025
- 6 min read
16 – 11 – 2025
I gave Ireland a chance to challenge my health this week with a quick trip to Wexford, which is about an hour away by bus. I had visited Wexford for lunch a year and a half ago and found it to be a pleasant town. My daughter, Shannon, had told me about the Irish National Heritage Park, which sounded intriguing.
On Thursday morning, I caught the bus to Wexford, where the weather was cold and damp,
as it often is this time of year. After checking into my hotel, I took a cab to the heritage park. The park spans 9,000 years of Irish history and features many fascinating exhibits. A guide led me on a tour of the Norman Invasion section, where I learned more about the topic than I ever thought I would. Climbing a steep hill to see the minimal remains of a Norman fort left me feeling exhausted by the end of that section.
Once I finished, I explored the rest of the park at my own pace without a guide. I wrapped up around 4:30 and tried to call a cab, but my app wouldn’t cooperate. The
staff kindly ordered a cab for me. The park was scheduled to close at 5:00, but in typical friendly Irish fashion, the staff didn’t leave me alone in the cold, damp darkness while I waited for my cab. There was even a lively discussion among them about who would stay with me. The cab finally arrived around 5:45, and I left, grateful for my new Irish friend who stayed behind until I was safely on my way.
While waiting for my cab, I overheard the staff discussing the bad weather forecasted for the next day. They concluded that it was necessary to install the flood guard on the welcome center door. I watched as they fixed three slotted panels in front of the door, securing them in place. This was the first I had heard about the incoming bad weather. They kept mentioning the word "hurricane," which caught my attention. I found it hard to believe they meant a tropical hurricane, and the cab driver later clarified that I would probably just consider it a bad storm. He was correct; it was a bad storm, a very bad storm especially if you are walking.
I had planned to spend Friday morning wandering around Wexford until noon when I had to check out of the hotel. I was catching the 12:30 bus back to Waterford so I could take care of some errands.
When I woke up Friday, I heard the wind howling and the rain pelleting against the windows. After breakfast, I ventured outside to assess the weather; it was just as bad as it sounded. I returned to my room to watch television but soon grew bored and decided to walk downtown to try out that route.
On the route to town, there was a steep hill, and I was curious how slippery it would be. The walk was miserable and cold, but I decided I could walk it if needed. At 11:30 I opted to take a cab to the bus station where I could sit inside until the bus arrived. I used an app to order a cab; they could not find a driver, so I had to walk in the wind and the rain and the cold. I caught the bus and was dry for the next hour.
Met Eireann (the national weather service) had issued orange warnings for Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford countries. The warning system runs from red (the worst) to orange, yellow and green (the best). Since Waterford County was under a yellow warning, I hoped the weather would be better when I got to Waterford. It wasn’t. As soon as I stepped off the bus, I was hit with a blast of wind and rain.
With my suitcase in tow, I began the two-mile walk to my apartment. Multiple times, the wind
literally pushed me down the street. Waterford, like many Irish towns, uses granite for its sidewalks, which can become slippery when wet. I was thankful I had worn my waterproof hiking shoes with good tread; I wear them almost every day, as the sidewalks can be treacherous. They've been a fantastic investment, keeping my feet dry.
I finally arrived at the apartment, but my jeans were soaked through. I changed into a comfy robe and slippers, tossed my jeans in the dryer, made a hot cup of tea and decided to stay in for the day. My errands could wait until tomorrow; I was simply exhausted. These trips have a way of wearing me out.
Thus was my quick trip to Wexford – wet, windy, and cold. I did learn much about Irish history at the Irish National Heritage Park.
On Monday, I attended my class at Trinity College, where this week’s lesson focused on the rise of feminism in the United States. The professor discussed Betty Friedan and her groundbreaking work, The Feminine Mystique. As I listened to the lecture, it struck me that the events of my own life are now being taught in history classes. This realization made me feel quite old.
On Wednesday, I led the Women’s Bible study group I’ve been attending. We are studying the women of the Bible, and this week’s focus was on Jochebed. Teaching about her was straightforward since she was in step with God from the very beginning. The group itself is also a joy to teach; whenever I pose a question, I receive a multitude of responses, often insightful ones. It has truly been a blessing to be with these women, from whom I have learned so much.
Our group is incredibly diverse, featuring women from South Africa, Nigeria, the Philippines, and an Irish woman who lived in Egypt for 30 years. Each member brings a unique perspective, enriching our discussions and deepening my understanding.
Later that Wednesday night, shortly after I had settled into bed, the fire alarm went off. I got up to check if there was a fire and saw a few people standing outside, but there was no sign of flames. No one seemed particularly concerned about the alarm, so I returned to bed. The alarm continued to chime for a while before eventually stopping. I suspect it was probably set off as a prank. Perhaps the other residents are accustomed to it, but I was surprised by the lack of response to such a loud disturbance.
One thing I truly appreciate about Ireland is the variety of country-wide events that take place. Over the past couple of months, Candlelight Concerts have been held in cities and towns all across the Republic of Ireland. These concerts, each lasting about an hour, showcase a range of musical styles.
This past Saturday evening, I attended two Candlelight Concerts in Waterford. The first featured a string quartet performing selections from Queen and ABBA. Among the Queen classics were "Don’t Stop Me Now," "We Will Rock You," and "We Are the Champions." ABBA's repertoire included "Dancing Queen," "Money, Money, Money," and "Mamma Mia." It was a lively atmosphere, with many audience members singing along—though I didn’t know the words.
The second concert was a beautiful rendition of Vivaldi’s "Four Seasons," again played by a string quartet. The group's leader shared intriguing insights about what to listen for in each season, enriching the experience. The concerts took place in Christ Church Cathedral, which was adorned with candles everywhere, creating a truly multisensory experience.
However, amidst the beauty of the evening, I also felt a sense of loneliness. I found myself sitting alone in a short pew while couples and groups of friends enjoyed each other’s company. The walk back to my apartment was solitary, and while there was nothing inherently different about that night compared to any other, being surrounded by happy gatherings made my solitude more evident.
Despite the emotional undertone, it was still a lovely evening. I want to end this reflection honestly, acknowledging both the joy of the music and the pang of realization regarding my own feelings.
Weatherford weather: Partly Cloudy, NO RAIN
High: 52 F (11 C), Low: 38 F (3 C)
Sunrise: 7:51 Sunset: 4:34 (16:34 IST)
Hours of Daylight: 8 hours and 43 minutes
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