Authors: Morgan Llywelyn
1972 (31 page)
F
OR no reason that Barry could imagine, Alice Green took a strong liking to Barbara. It was Alice who taught the American girl to give the town its correct spelling instead of “Dunleary,” and pointed out the best shops. “How long are you going to stay in Ireland?” she asked not once but several times.
OR no reason that Barry could imagine, Alice Green took a strong liking to Barbara. It was Alice who taught the American girl to give the town its correct spelling instead of “Dunleary,” and pointed out the best shops. “How long are you going to stay in Ireland?” she asked not once but several times.
“I haven't decided,” Barbara told her.
“With America to go back to? I know what I would do if I ⦔
“There are things Ireland has that America doesn't.”
“Like a certain man, for example?” Alice giggled.
“I wouldn't stay here for a mere man,” said Barbara. “I can have any man I want.”
Alice looked her new friend up and down. “I'm sure.”
O
N the tenth of November, Seán Lemass, plagued by political difficulties and ill health that he refused to acknowledge, stood up in the Dáil chamber to announce his resignation as taoiseach. He followed his announcement with a single sentence
in Irish, which he then repeated in English. “I recommend to Dáil Ãireann Deputy John Lynch for appointment as taoiseach.”
1
N the tenth of November, Seán Lemass, plagued by political difficulties and ill health that he refused to acknowledge, stood up in the Dáil chamber to announce his resignation as taoiseach. He followed his announcement with a single sentence
in Irish, which he then repeated in English. “I recommend to Dáil Ãireann Deputy John Lynch for appointment as taoiseach.”
1
Seán Lemass was a patriot, an old warrior who had fought in the GPO in 1916, in the War of Independence, and in the Civil War. John Mary Lynch, who went by the name of Jack, was eighteen years younger and had fought his battles on the sporting field, winning all-Ireland titles with Cork in both hurling and Gaelic football. The popular former athlete was nicknamed “the Nice Fellow.”
Barry joined the throng of reporters and photographers who besieged Lemass on the steps of Leinster House after his announcement. Lemass, who looked tired, continued to smoke his pipe while answering their questions with characteristic brevity.
“Political infighting was bound to bring him down sooner or later,” Barry heard one reporter remark to another. “Fianna Fáil's always been rough-and-tumble.”
“Give us a few words on the man you've nominated to succeed you,” someone called out.
With an enigmatic smile Lemass replied, “If anything, Jack Lynch is a tougher individual than I am.”
2
2
C
HRISTMAS presented Barry with a dilemma. The proper thing to do, since Barbara had no family in Ireland, would be to invite her to the farm for the holiday. But when a man took a woman home with him at Christmas it was considered tantamount to announcing their engagement.
HRISTMAS presented Barry with a dilemma. The proper thing to do, since Barbara had no family in Ireland, would be to invite her to the farm for the holiday. But when a man took a woman home with him at Christmas it was considered tantamount to announcing their engagement.
Yet how could he leave her alone in Dublin amongst relative strangers?
And what assumptions would she make if he stayed in Dublin to be with her?
In the end he settled for a compromise. He bought train tickets for himself and Barbara and took her to the farm. There he
left her in the company of his motherâwho was not too pleased about the arrangementâwhile he recovered his old bicycle from the barn and prepared to set off for Tipperary. “I have some business that will keep me away over the holidays,” he told the two women.
left her in the company of his motherâwho was not too pleased about the arrangementâwhile he recovered his old bicycle from the barn and prepared to set off for Tipperary. “I have some business that will keep me away over the holidays,” he told the two women.
His mother was scowling at him.
B
ARRY was relieved to find Séamus McCoy still in Ballina. “I was afraid you would go north for the Christmas.”
ARRY was relieved to find Séamus McCoy still in Ballina. “I was afraid you would go north for the Christmas.”
“I thought about it,” Séamus said, “but in the finish-up I'm not much of a man for celebrating holidays. So here I am on my own.”
“Would you like some company?”
“Are you not going to the farm?”
“I've already been,” Barry replied succinctly.
The two men went to Mass together in the Catholic church on top of the hill in Killaloe. At the foot of the street was the Cathedral of Saint Flannan, built in the thirteenth century on the ruins of a still earlier church. Now an Anglican cathedral, it served a dwindling Protestant congregation. An ancient tombstone recessed in the Romanesque doorway marked the burial site of Muircheartach Mor, Brian Bóru's great-grandson.
1
1
On Christmas morning the bells of both churches, Protestant and Catholic, pealed as one.
Barry and Séamus took Christmas dinner with the Reddan family. Barry enjoyed being with his old friends and ate two helpings of Peg Reddan's roasted turkey. But like spectres at the feast, thoughts of Ursula and Barbara haunted him.
I've done the best I could, damn it.
McCoy asked no questions. He simply accepted that Barry needed a place to stay for a few days and made him comfortable in the room above the pub. When the weather was fine they went for long walks beside Lough Derg, talking about the Army, or politics, or, occasionally, themselves. Sometimes they did not talk at all, but strolled along in a companionable silence. Barry was deeply grateful to have found such a friend; a man to whom he could say almost anything.
I wonder if my father was anything like Séamus McCoy.
When the rain poured down, the two men stayed indoors and
read. Barry was glad to have a chance to browse through McCoy's extensive collection of republican reading material. Evenings were spent in the pub with the hammer on the wall, talking about sports or politics or the weather. But never the Army.
read. Barry was glad to have a chance to browse through McCoy's extensive collection of republican reading material. Evenings were spent in the pub with the hammer on the wall, talking about sports or politics or the weather. But never the Army.
When he could put it off no longer, Barry went back to the farm to collect Barbara. “I have an assignment back in Dublin,” he explained to his mother. That was all he explained. He ignored the exasperated look Ursula gave him.
Barbara did not chastise him for going off and leaving her, as he had expected. Her eyes were bright and her skin was glowing and she gave the appearance of being very much at home. Before they left the farmhouse she threw her arms around Ursula in a big hug. The older woman stiffened slightly. Then, seeing Barry watching, she forced herself to smile. “It's been grand, Barbara. Do come again sometime.”
She's lying through her teeth,
thought Barry.
Obviously they didn't get along very well. But then, I didn't expect they would.
thought Barry.
Obviously they didn't get along very well. But then, I didn't expect they would.
I
T was a most enjoyable bit of mischief. Life had not offered Barry many opportunities for mischief lately, but the little boy buried inside him was still there.
T was a most enjoyable bit of mischief. Life had not offered Barry many opportunities for mischief lately, but the little boy buried inside him was still there.
On the train Barry asked Barbara if she had enjoyed her holiday. “It certainly wasn't the Christmas I expected, but it was interesting. Your customs are so different from ours. For one thing, I didn't see Christmas lights on any of the houses. In Dallas we have thousands of coloured lights on everything, even draped around the trees and shrubbery. People put life-sized figures of Santa Claus with his sleigh on their roofs, or the manger with angels and shepherds on their lawns. Or both at once. Sometimes they play Christmas music over loudspeakers. It's a tradition to drive around the city at night to see the displays. Some of them are absolutely spectacular.”
“I'm sure they are,” Barry said faintly.
“There's nothing like that in Ireland,” Barbara went on. “It's so quiet here. On Christmas Eve I went to church with your mother ⦔
Dear God, I never even thought to ask if she's a Catholic!
“ ⦠And since neither of us is a very good cook, the next day we had our dinner at the Olde Ground Hotel in Ennis. What
a wonderful place, shabby and grand at the same time. So very Irish.”
a wonderful place, shabby and grand at the same time. So very Irish.”
“Shabby and grand at the same time is Anglo-Irish,” Barry said.
“What's the difference?”
I will not take on the Irish education of Barbara Kavanagh,
he told himself. But he knew he would.
he told himself. But he knew he would.
At the train station in Dublin he hired a taxicab and delivered Barbara to Dun Laoghaire. He had the taxi wait while he walked her to the door like a solicitous older brother. After a moment's hesitation he gave her a light kiss on the cheek, then walked away before she could invite him to come in.
His nostrils were filled with the perfume of her hair.
J
ANUARY was a bitter month, with frigid winds and lowering skies. Barry Halloran was indifferent to the cold. Weeks spent shivering in muddy dugouts half filled with icy water had inured him to normal winter weather. But he awoke one morning to find himself worrying about Barbara.
She's from Texas. And Italy's a warm climate, isn't it? Is she able for the kind of weather we have here? Is there enough heating in her flat? I should have made certain she has a working fireplace, or at least a three-bar heater.
ANUARY was a bitter month, with frigid winds and lowering skies. Barry Halloran was indifferent to the cold. Weeks spent shivering in muddy dugouts half filled with icy water had inured him to normal winter weather. But he awoke one morning to find himself worrying about Barbara.
She's from Texas. And Italy's a warm climate, isn't it? Is she able for the kind of weather we have here? Is there enough heating in her flat? I should have made certain she has a working fireplace, or at least a three-bar heater.
Barbara continued to be on his mind while he read the morning papers.
Taoiseach Jack Lynch had just met with Prime Minister Harold Wilson in London to discuss their countries' respective applications to join the European Economic Community, originally known as the Common Market.
I wonder if it's as cold in London as it is here,
thought Barry. Putting the papers aside, he stared out the window for a while. But he was not thinking about London.
thought Barry. Putting the papers aside, he stared out the window for a while. But he was not thinking about London.
I
N Switzers' Department Store, where Alice was now a full-time employee, selling women's hats, Barry Halloran felt very out-of-place. He was far too big to be comfortable amongst the little dressing tables and small stools where women sat while trying on their purchases.
N Switzers' Department Store, where Alice was now a full-time employee, selling women's hats, Barry Halloran felt very out-of-place. He was far too big to be comfortable amongst the little dressing tables and small stools where women sat while trying on their purchases.
Alice was surprised to see him. “Can I help you?” she asked with a nervous giggle.
“Actually you can. I was wondering if you know what sort of heat BarbaraâMiss Kavanaghâhas in her flat.”
Alice's expression of surprise intensified. “What a thoughtful man you are! As it happens I called in to see Barbara over the weekend and she had a lovely coal fire blazing, so I'm sure she's as snug as can be. I'll tell her you were worrying about her, though.”
“Don't do that! I mean, there's no need to mention this conversation. I was only making an enquiry on behalf of her mother.”
Alice gave Barry a conspiratorial smile. “Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me.”
A
T the end of January three American astronauts, “Gus” Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chafee, died in a flash fire that destroyed their space capsule on the launch pad.
T the end of January three American astronauts, “Gus” Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chafee, died in a flash fire that destroyed their space capsule on the launch pad.
Barry Halloran was amongst the many Irish men and women who called at the American Embassy to sign a book of condolence.
The families of the dead astronauts declared that their dream would not die with them.
W
ITHIN days the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association was formed. The first meeting took place in the International Hotel in Belfast. Amongst those present were constitutional nationalists, liberal unionists, radical lawyers, socialists, members of the Irish Communist Party, and republicans inspired by Cathal Goulding.
2
ITHIN days the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association was formed. The first meeting took place in the International Hotel in Belfast. Amongst those present were constitutional nationalists, liberal unionists, radical lawyers, socialists, members of the Irish Communist Party, and republicans inspired by Cathal Goulding.
2
O
N the first of February, Senator Margaret Mary Pearse gave the house and grounds of St. Enda's College to the Irish nation. Barry Halloran was amongst those who attended the ceremony.
N the first of February, Senator Margaret Mary Pearse gave the house and grounds of St. Enda's College to the Irish nation. Barry Halloran was amongst those who attended the ceremony.
A member of Seanad Ãireann since 1938, Senator Pearse was the last surviving member of her family. She did not encourage publicity and was rarely photographed. Rumour had it
that she was not in good health, which was why she was making the donation at this time. It was intended to be not only a memorial to her brothers, Pádraic and Willie Pearse, but also to the dream of an Irish republic.
that she was not in good health, which was why she was making the donation at this time. It was intended to be not only a memorial to her brothers, Pádraic and Willie Pearse, but also to the dream of an Irish republic.
While the speeches were being made Barry stood off to one side, studying her face. He was hoping for a photograph like the one he had taken of de Valera; one of those rare and magical glimpses of truth that could only happen by accident.
Margaret Pearse had a sweet, round face beneath a cloud of white hair dressed in the style of an earlier era. The distance between nose and chin was very short. The darkness in the eyes was very deep.
What does she see when she closes her eyes at night? Two young men going off on their bicycles that Easter Monday morning, stopping at the foot of the drive, perhaps, to wave back to her one last time?
At that moment Senator Pearse turned her head and looked straight at Barry. Between them passed a soundless communication like moths courting; less than a breath, more than a thought.
He lifted his camera and took the picture.
“
I
have a job!” Barbara's voice carolled down the phone line. Barry had given her the number with firm instructions never to use it unless she was in trouble. He was not surprised that she ignored his injunction.
I
have a job!” Barbara's voice carolled down the phone line. Barry had given her the number with firm instructions never to use it unless she was in trouble. He was not surprised that she ignored his injunction.
“I didn't know you wanted a job,” Barry said.
“It was the most amazing thing. I was beginning to feel a little boredâyou knowâso I went to a fashion show at Brown Thomas. I got to talking to one of the models afterward and guess what?”
“You're going to be a model?”
“Of course not. I'm tall enough but my bones are too big, I could never look willowy. No, this girl told me about a friend of hers who's an impresario in the entertainment business in England. She said he was looking for a singer.”
“But I thought your voice was ⦔
“Ruined for opera but not for jazz. Don't you love jazz? I do. Anyway, Moya's friend put together a new trio and they want a
singer, so she telephoned him and he came over to Dublin and I sang for him and he was very impressed and ⦠well, the upshot is, I've got the job. I'm flying to London tomorrow.”
singer, so she telephoned him and he came over to Dublin and I sang for him and he was very impressed and ⦠well, the upshot is, I've got the job. I'm flying to London tomorrow.”
“You're going to London? And you don't know anything about this man. Who is he and whatâ”
“He's developed a lot of acts and he says my voice is absolutely perfect for the sort of songs Ella Fitzgerald does.”
“Barbara, you can't simplyâ”
“It's all settled, I told you. I'm leaving tomorrow.”
“But your flat ⦔
“Oh, I'll let that go. We're going to be on the road for a while, getting established, so there's no point in holding on to a place here.”
“That's absurd,” said Barry, trying to hide his dismay. “You have no background in jazz and no one's listening to it now anyway. Music today isâ”
“Don't be such a stick-in-the-mud, Barry,” she said. “Jazz is due for a revival. Jeremy says we have to be ahead of the trend, not following it.”
“Jeremy, is that his name? What's the rest of it? And what does he want with a girl whoâ”
“His name is Jeremy Seyboldt and it isn't sex he's after, if that's what you're worried about. Jeremy's gay.”
“Gay?”
“What on earth's the matter with you? Gay! You know, queer. Homosexual. But don't hold that against him, he's an absolutely lovely man.”
Jaysus,
Barry thought after he put down the telephone receiver.
What am I going to tell Ursula?
Barry thought after he put down the telephone receiver.
What am I going to tell Ursula?
In the end he told her nothing at all.
We Irish are masters of the fudge.
We Irish are masters of the fudge.
Two weeks later he received a postcard from Barbara with an address in Manchester. “We'll be here for six weeks, then we're going to Edinburgh,” she wrote. “I'm having a great time and the British love me. I may stay forever.”
I
N May, Ireland and Britain applied together to join the EEC. For the second time, de Gaulle of France said no to Britain. The decision on Ireland was merely deferred.
N May, Ireland and Britain applied together to join the EEC. For the second time, de Gaulle of France said no to Britain. The decision on Ireland was merely deferred.
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