The Road to Abbeyshrule
Tess's River
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Chapter 1
The Aurora Borealis
Ghostly lights danced about the tiny thatched cottage as old Tess stirred from her dreams. She lay a while longer before her mind gave the all clear. Even a lost soul on its way back to Taghsheenod graveyard would have had difficulty finding a human form amongst the pile of shawls and overcoats that covered her. Billy, her hungry pet blackbird, was tapping on her frost-covered window telling her it was safe to emerge to a new day. The sound of the water tumbling over the fall also reassured her that all was well with the world. Heavy rain had swollen the little stream into a fury as it raced under the road bridge before flooding her garden on its mad rush to the river Inny. “The little feckers are at it again,” she thought to her herself as she attempted to work out the cause of the strange lighting.
Her tiny frame emerged slowly from the old sugàn armchair throwing off the shawls that kept her warm throughout the long, cold nights. Poking at the ashes in the hearth she threw a small bundle of cipìns on the still-lit coals. Sparks flew about the fireplace as the dry tinder caught fire, sending flames about the hearth and up the dark chimney. Shadows played on the once white-washed walls, long-turned yellow since her brother Pat had passed away. The black kettle hanging low on the hob was soon singing merrily as she blew the ashes out of her enamel mug and gave it a quick rub of her sleeve before pouring the boiling water over a spoonful of tea leaves. A generous drop of goat’s milk completed the mix.
“Better nor any medicine” she told her shadowy friends as they played hide and seek in the thatch above her.
Tightening her shawl around her shoulders she strode to her front door to let in the first light of day. Billy hopped onto her shoulder as she sipped on her morning medicine, her thin arms resting on the mantle guarding the half door. He flitted from shoulder to shoulder as she gazed across the stream over the dew-covered fields towards Colehill Crossroads.
Multi-coloured lighting leapt across the sky as the dawn chorus broke into full voice. The big poplar had shed most of its leaves by now but there were still enough left to perform a jig for her as they floated throug
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
These memories of a small rural community in the Irish Midlands tell us of life during the mid 20th century, a way of life different in many ways from now, somewhat slower, harder and more dangerous, but full of humour, intrigue, sadness and love. A life now lost in fact but recalled in vivid detail by the author who grew up in the heart of a community where his parents, neighbours and his special friend and mentor Old Tess the local Druidess, guided him through the pitfalls of early life and puberty. Their voices are heard again, their victories and failures, their stories, The Story of Ireland.
About the Author
The author is a renowned storyteller, travel writer and Gaelgóir.
A founder-member of Scoil na gCeithre Máistrí in Athlone, he continues to promote the unique Irish culture at home and in Spain while researching the Celtic influence on his adopted country.