folk in those times. Everyone wondered what secrets lay in the bag; a pigs head, a rabbit, a hare, a turkey cock, spuds or cabbage plants! My father Paguine served him a frothy pint of black porter and Paddy Joe sinks half the drink in one gulp. Paddy Joe is stoney broke and the drink is on the house. Eventually, he releases the genie from the bottle and opens the brown bag .I watch in wonder as with great gusto he pulls out a battered button accordion. He rattles out a tune and Paguine accompanies him on the bodhrán. The lads in the bar shout words of encouragement ''Come on Lispole.......Sound man Paddy Joe.......Up Kinard ''. Paddy Joe is certainly not the best musician in Kerry, Lispole or even Kinard but he is definitely a great entertainer,loud, wild and energetic with a roguish smile on his face. He strikes it lucky, a couple of lads home from England idir an dá Nollaig stand him a few pints. Then he gathers the accordion into the bag and leaves in high spirits. He retrieves his Honda scooter from the archway and casts an anxious eye towards the barracks. The bike is roaring and spluttering but the front headlamp is broken.Another quick glance at the garda station, the coast is clear, he clears his throat and bellows out a ferocious roar before he tears off into the dark night. Within a few years Paddy Joe and Paguine are entertaining the holy souls in purgatory. There is a family connection with Kinard which nowadays is forgotten. The O'Flaherty,Grahams, Devanes ad Sheehys lived in the fishing village at Reenbeg (Opposite Dingle lighthouse, the villagers were cleared out and relocated by Lord Ventry to the town in 1901). A relation of my grandfather, Bridget O'Flaherty who was sixteen years of age and was about to emigrate to America. Herself and some friends rowed across to Kinard beach for a last farewell. She met Patrick Griffin of Tubber and her destiny was sealed. Paradise lost had been found. They married within a month on 26 February 1884. Present descendants include Joseph (Josie) Griffin and the Browns ( Griffins). Don't leave Cinnáird beach without skimming a stone and making a wish, the breeze is laden with heroes from yester year! Finally, return to your starting point at Garrynadur and catch a tonic in O'Sullivan's Bar. Otherwise, tuck into a pot of fine brew and hot apple tart at Eoin and Sharon Devane's cosy kitchen at Kate's Cross. Then ramble across to the nearby field and watch a black lama and pet lamb jostle to gain your attention. I kid you not, just wonderful! And so concludes this all too brief sojourn on the eastern side of Dingle. Sometimes overlooked but never forgotten, it remains a jewel to be enjoyed. Like all rural communities, there is a constant drain of the youth from the parish. Many attend college and emigrate to seek their fortune in the major cities of the world. Lispole people always meet the challenges of life head on, they dont know any other way. Long may they continue. Lios Póil Abú!
Michael Healy-Rae TD Mícheál Ó’hEalaigh- Rae Clinics-3rd Mon of the month.
Muiris Dan’s 6.30pm, Castlemaine, Griffins Bar 5pm Brewery Gate Keel, Murphy’s Bar 5.20pm 6.45pm Inch, Foleys Bar 5.40pm Brandon, Annascaul, Teach Sean 6.00pm Murphy’s Bar 7.30pm Líos Póil, Anthony’s 6.10pm Castlegregory, Ferriters Bar 8pm Dingle, An Conair Pub 6.20 pm, Camp, Railway Tavern 9.30pm Clinicí sa Ghaeltacht: Luan 18ú Eanair 6.30 - 7.30 Tigh Uí Cuinn & Tigh an tSaorsaigh 2nd Monday of the month Milltown: Larkins 6.15pm Killorglin: Jim Shea's 7pm Constituency Office: 064 6685782 Office Fax: 064 66 85904 Mob: 087-246 1678 email:micheal.healy-rae@oireachtas.ie West Kerry Live 29 www.westkerrylive.ie