First Busking

The streets of Mullingar are filled with musicians. Nearly every store front will have someone playing in front of it with their cases open or a hat out. Our girls have been reluctant so far to join in the fun and make a little spending money but this afternoon after classes they decided to give it a go!

After class I had to go to the Fleadh office to fill out a photography/video permission form for the upcoming competitions. That took FOREVER so Gwen and Ellie hung out and talked about their busking set list. I ended

up filling out the paperwork with one of the “head honchos” of the Fleadh and he hadn’t ever sat with someone to fill out the paperwork before. The lady who usually does it was out sick. As we navigated our way through it, he had several choice words about the process and at one point he mumbled “you can fill out an application for Russian citizenship easier than filling out this paperwork.” We talked about it and I suggested that this needs to have a QR code and be an online signature sort of thing and he agreed. We had a lot of laughs together over it and when I left and we shook hand he laughed that the next time we come to the Fleadh and I see a QR code for the forms that I'll know I played a small part in moving things along to the modern era.

After I finished the paperwork, we walked to the main drag where there is a lot of foot traffic. The girls first played a couple of tunes in front of a sweet shop but it started to drizzle. So we packed up and started to head back for the day and then we decided to stop in at our favorite little ice cream place to get a “99” on the way to the car. All over Ireland you can get soft serve ice cream for around 1 euro and they call it a “99!” We’re loving it!

We got to the shop and it had stopped raining and Gwen saw her friend Maddy on the bench of the shop waiting for her family. So they pulled out their fiddles and made their ice cream money! So fun!

When we got home, mom and dad had a delicious taco night all prepared for us! I knew I brought them along for something haha! In all seriousness, they have been helping out so much this week with us in the Scoil Eigse. They make us breakfast and help pack lunches and hang laundry to dry, etc. It’s been so wonderful to have them along for so many reasons that aren’t “practical” but they are seeing to all of those needs for us this week too.

After dinner, Jay went back to the Fleadh for concerts and Mom, Ellie, Chapin, and I took a gorgeous walk along the Shannon river. Mom has walked the trail several times since we got here. She watches the boats come and go and showed us how the lock opens and lets the boats through. Mom says if we keep walking where the trail narrows and the trees grow overhead to create a tunnel. .

.that’s where we’ll find a portal to another world. . .or where we’ll find fairies or leprechauns for sure. We didn’t go very far tonight because we’re tired and midgies were trying to bite our faces off again, but before the week is up we’re going to go further down that trail to see what sort of magic is on the trail that runs along the Shannon. . .