Lisdoonvarna, County Clare and back in 39 hours. A family reunion was organised. The descendants of my great-grandparents, who had thirteen children. I am not sure how many assembled in total - there were probably about 50 for dinner, plus various others who appeared just for pre-dinner drinks and/or for Sunday Mass. I had a sister and nephew; an Aunt, four first cousins, plus son; probably a dozen or more of my father's cousins, including some partners; god knows how many of my second cousins, plus some partners, plus three of their offspring. In addition, a descendant of my great-great-grandparents turned up with his wife for after dinner drinks. And to further complicate matters, the partner of the late cousin of one of my father's cousins came all the way from Australia! Various Australians and Americans sent apologies, as should have a temporary New Zealander. There was a sizeable contingent from Florida, and the Italians included Kevin the youngest of my generation, with his Spanish partner. One of my second cousins is married to a Spaniard and another to an Italian. Of course the majority were Irish or English, including Irish living in England. I think that's the nationalities covered!
In the long drive from Dublin to Lisdoon (thank you George W Bush for the diversion that added two hours to our journey and left us with no time to see the Cliffs of Moher - you have no Irish roots, and we planned our summit photo opportunity long before you did, Bastard. Note to all Irish-Americans - Do Not Vote Bush.), conversation included the "chav" concept. The word - and bling bling - was unfamiliar to Pauline and Joseph, but the concept isn't!
We descended into a mocking discussion of Chav names, which Joseph helpfully supplied from amongst his school mates. (I renamed his school St Richavs). However, the biscuit goes to my niece's two friends from down the road, Tegan and Keana. (Read it and weep!). Imagine our horror when examining the impressive family tree to discover that many of the children of our American third cousins (ie Joseph's fourth cousins) born since the late eighties have really chav names. But are they genuine chav if American? We concluded that at the second cousin stage, there were no chav names, although we are yet undecided about the very youngest member of the family, six-month old Trinity (girl). I think it probably counts as genuine exotic...!
A lot more on the party and on my general impressions of Ireland later.
And to Pauline and Joseph...found it yet?
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