The Inspiration Of Erin

 
After a week in Ireland I'm all fired up to crack on with my current writing project set in Dublin, having bathed in the inspiration of Erin! We had a few days in Dublin and then headed west to Galway. Here are some of the photos I took:

By the way, Erin - the poetic name for Ireland - used to be my first name, but I switched to Seamus when I was 21. (Yes, Erin is often used as a girl's name!) My full name became Seamus Erin Anthony Kearney. Creating some potential confusion is the fact that I have an uncle and a cousin in Dublin who are also called Seamus! It's also interesting that my family over there pronounces our surname differently: I say Kerr-nee, they say Car-nee. Somehow the name was transformed when my father emigrated to New Zealand in the 50s.

During our week in Ireland we ate traditional food (including Irish salmon), drank a fair amount of guinness and listened to traditional music. But we also got the chance to see an excellent up-and-coming Dublin band. The Immediate performed in the famous Roisin Dubh pub in Galway while we were there. Here's what they look like:


I was very impressed with this group, who all have a go at vocals and the different instruments. I have a hunch this band is going to hit the big time and it felt an honour to see them live in their launch-pad stage. You can listen to some of their more popular songs - A Ghost in the House, Big Sad Eyes and In Towers and Clouds - here. They also have a website you can check out. I bought their debut CD after the concert and got them to sign it - one of them very sweetly wrote "I love you". This will be a precious possession when the band becomes an international success, which I predict will be the case. Because I had to wait a wee bit while they signed my CD cover (I didn't mind waiting), they very kindly gave me a collector's 45 rpm vinyl disc. I wish them all the success they deserve.

So, now it's back to work and my reading and writing - until the summer holidays! Hang on, Seamus! Live in the moment! Stop planning all these escapes! Yes, you're right. It's gorgeous outside. Spring can be magical. There is a lot to enjoy before the summer. Someone asked me in a recent email if I ever work and whether I'm rich. Let's just say that I work to live, I don't live to work. And rich? I wish. I don't smoke, don't drink too much and don't blow money on unnecessary luxuries, so there is more of a chance of getting out and seeing this planet of ours. I have also made it a priority in my life that I have plenty of time for creativity.

Now then, back to my poor characters in Dublin, who've been standing in the same spot for weeks!