Then we went back to the bar and there was
singing in the form of individual recitatives. People took it in turns to stand on a bar stool and sing a song. It was accompanied by a lot of shouting and eventually the decibels drove me back to the now empty restaurant. I sat and sipped and then, to my amazement, a middle-aged waitress recognised me. (What from?) That always helps. Odd to be known in Ireland. She was very nice.
Then various hacks joined me and what a nice bunch they are here. There is a lot of laughter in this country which is a good sound. And I suppose they have a lot to laugh about, not the least of which must be the fact that they aren't living in London. The major drawback I can see about living here, though, is that a car is essen- tial. Public transport is almost non- existent. By 6 p.m. I decided that I didn't want to be driven back to Killarney, 30 miles, by anybody who had been playing slammers. The Tralee Festival organisers laid a taxi on for me. They ooze charm. But today I shall get to the races willy-nilly. If I don't the Sunday Independent will never speak to me again and I can't afford to lose new friends.
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