I love Irish hospitality. I find the Irish to be welcoming and supportive of my cause. Many people will stop their cars to chat or honk their horns in support.
When I arrived in Athy, I met two women, a mother and her daughter. They noticed me walking down to the river for a photo and stopped me. After a bit of conversation, they invited me to their home for dinner that evening. Over a nice meal of trout, beets, vegetables, potatoes, and the best homemade apple tart I have ever tasted, I learned Kate co-produced a documentary named Naledi, which had been nominated for Outstanding Nature Documentary at The News and Documentary Emmy Awards. The film is on Netflix, so if you get a chance, check it out.
The next day, on my way to The Swan, I found the hills to be a challenge, especially an area known as Wolfhill. I was ready to ditch my heavy trolley, Magellan, as I made my way up the aptly named hill. Moments later, I was rewarded for my efforts, when a woman named Carmel and her mother, Anne, invited me into their home for tea and a sandwich. Carmel’s mother had seen me on the road earlier that day. It was a welcome break. I didn’t stay long, as it was getting late and I needed to find a place to pitch my tent for the night. Someone had suggested I inquire about a room at the pub in town, which I did. When I walked in, George, the owner, was sitting at the bar reading a newspaper. I asked him if he had lodging, but he was hesitant because he no longer operates as an inn. However, a moment later, he reached behind the bar, grabbed a set of keys, and led me to a room near the back of the pub. He brought me fresh towels and told me to let him know if I needed anything else. That evening I dined at the restaurant and then returned to my room for a good night's sleep.
The following day, when I tried to pay George for the room, he refused. After breakfast and a few photos, I said goodbye and thanked him for his generosity. I departed and made my way to Durrow via Abbeyleix.
After a long and rewarding journey through the Irish countryside, I arrived at my accommodation in Durrow. The warm welcome and thoughtful gestures of the hosts, including a soothing foot soak, were a perfect ending to a day filled with breathtaking scenery and unforgettable encounters with the welcoming people of Ireland.