Tuesday, October 19, 2010

*Sigh* I danced with a handsome Irishman!

Have you ever experienced one of those once in a lifetime moments?  The kind that makes it utterly impossible to stop smiling?  While on our tour of Ireland, I had one of those moments that still elicits a *happy sigh* everytime I replay it in my head.

One night of our visit was spent enjoying the lively entertainment at Tayor's Three Rock Pub.  Celtic musicians, wondrous dancers that could've starred in a Broadway production of Riverdance and an Irish comedian so funny he had us gasping between bursts of laughter filled the evening.
 
 During the livelier tunes and the dancer's heart thumping steps, I clapped along with the music and tapped my foot in time with the Celtic beat.  The music sang to my soul. 

At the onset of the final performance, the emcee announced the Celtic dancers would be choosing partners from the audience to join them in the final reel.  I knew I wouldn't be chosen.  I was well back from the front row, perfectly safe in my middle of the crowd seat.  Or so I thought.

I'd turned to take a sip of water and my husband leaned in close and whispered, "You're had."

I looked up and a lovely, dark-eyed Irishman stood in front of me with his hand extended.


I shook my head.  "Oh no, I can't."

He flashed his wicked smile, grabbed my hand and pulled me up from my seat.  "Oh yes, ye can!"


And we danced.  Well.  He danced.  I hopped up and down on one foot and tried to follow his grinning instructions to move this way, spin now, cross here, and etc., etc.

At the end of the reel, he gave me a warm hug and a hearty, "Well done."
     I melted.  Yes.  I'm old enough to be the striking lad's mother.  Yes.  I hopped up and down on my one good foot like a lame duck. (I'd broken the other one earlier in the trip.)  But in my memories, I floated light as a feather across the floor with a darling Irishman!



19 comments:

  1. Good for you for getting up there and having a great time and enjoying the moment :)

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  2. Well done! You know, it isn't the chances we take that leave us disappointed later - it's the chances we don't! I'm proud of you for cutting loose and having fun! There's nothing worse than looking back and thinking 'I wish I had..."

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  3. How super cool you got to dance like that - and yes, I have had one of those moments and haven't stopped smiling ever. Not that I remember it too well. It happened March 31, 2008 at 5:l5 when Gerard Butler looked across Hollywood Blvd. and looked me in the eyes while flashing a broad smile. I melted into the sidewalk....

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  4. I'm so glad you had a great time(not that I ever doubted you wouldn't). Sorry to hear about the foot injury. Can't wait to see some pictures of scenery.

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  5. What a good sport you are! I would have run straight to the "jacks" as soon as I heard that announcement. Maybe you'll be inspired to take Irish dancing lessons!. Or not :-)

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  6. Oh, I'm jealous. : ) It sounds like so much fun! I'm not sure I'd be brave enough, but I hop I would! You're right--a once in a lifetime kind of thing.

    And Paisley, did you melt?

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  7. Oh my, Paisley! I would've melted too!

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  8. Hmm...Pat, who knows? Maybe I will try to learn to Hop the "right" way to a Celtic reel! :-)

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  9. Michael, Lynn & Jeannene - It was SUCH fun! :-)

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  10. Maeve, what a wonderful experience! I'm jealous, too. Just where is this pub? I might put it on my itinerary for my next trip!

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  11. Ah, Mauve. You lucky woman. You made me chuckle this morning. Kudos to you for not clinging to the chair and insisting her find another lame duck. LOL.

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  12. How awesome! Sounds like fun. Way to go, Maeve!!!!

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  13. How AWESOME Maeve! Way to go,to push through that pain!! :O)

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  14. Too cool Maeve! Sorry about your foot. :( But at least he made you forget the pain awhile.

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  15. Oh Maeve, you are so much braver than I. I'm glad you didn't cower. Strike this off your bucket list! Good for you.

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  16. What a perfect moment. Way to embrace life. Good job. This story makes me want to go to Ireland even more. Not for the chance to dance with an Irish cutie - won't happen - but to see, meet, and embrace the joys of the culture and its people. How fun. Thanks for sharing, Mauve.

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  17. Maeve, Don't you just love Ireland? The people we met there were so friendly and welcoming. I'd return in a minute if I could. Thanks for sharing your happy memories and sparking mine.

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  18. This trip was a dream come true for me. Pictures don't do justice to the beautiful lands of Scotland and Ireland. And the people were SO open and friendly. They made us feel right at home. I hope everyone gets to visit these wondrous lands. By the way, Taylor's has a website! I found it on the menu they allowed me to bring home as a keepsake. Here it is:

    http://www.taylorsthreerock.ie/

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