The Custom House on the River Liffey is just across the river from my sister, Carmel's, place on Usher's Quay where I stayed after my sojourn at the O'Callaghan Mont Clare on fashionable Merrion Sq.
One of the highlights to my trip to Ireland was going to a [Sir] James Galway concert at the Dublin Concert Hall on March 18th, at 8pm with my sister, Carmel, and enjoy Irish Vapours and Capers by Lorin Mazel besides the well known airs.
First things first and the day of my arrival I visited my sister, Mary, who was in Cappagh Hospital recovering from major hip surgery. With my other 3 sister, Patty Coscoran, Carmel Lambert and Christine Creevey we had our family reunion around Mary's bed. It was a happy occasion as Mary was recovering very well.
The outward motive of the trip was a presentation at Trinity College's Theological Society of a talk on the theme of How Cult Like Features can be present in Catholic and other mainstream religious groups and it went down pretty well. For me the most important part was meeting with the some of the audience afterwards, former Irish Legionaries, students, and friends. I much appreciated the support of my sisters Carmel and Christine, brother in law Christy Creevey and my good friend and colleague, Aaron Loughrey. Mike Garde from Dialogue Eire was also in support and he forfeited his chance to talk when I ran over time. A reception was held afterwards.
Since then I have been able to mix tourism with family: besides seeing my niece, Ruth Lambert, again I was able to meet Mary's daughters, Liz and Kate, the latter with her two children, Rachel and Robert. It did not rain on the St Pat's parade in Dublin and Carmel and I had a good view of the wonderful groups. That evening we had a great visit with cousin Harry Lennon and Joan at their home in Rathfarnam where we were joined by Edmund and his wife, Angela.
Yesterday, Sunday the 18th, we had the visit to Mary and the James Galway concert. Today I hope to visit my 90 year old cousin, Evelyn and her husband Peter Corrigan, together with their daughter, Collette. And may even more relatives.
