T.

Dinner last night at J. J. O'Malleys -- upstairs

in a cavelike attic space, dark wood everywhere.

The waitresses moved so quickly they produced

a breeze every time they passed. The menu was

all over the map -- literally: Irish, Chinese, Thai,

Mexican, Italian. I decided to risk it and ordered

beef fajitas (Paul was sensible and ordered the lamb).

Well. I enjoyed a delicious beef stew with bell peppers,

carrots, onions, mushrooms and pea pods in a rich

brown gravy. On a side plate there were two flour

tortillas, shredded lettuce & mozzarella, and three

thimblesful of guacamole, salsa and whipped butter.

And I mean thimbles.  Aside from the meat

being a bit gristly, it was quite good for what it was.

What it wasn't was fajitas! A pint of Bullmers

cider washed it down nicely. We completed the evening

at The Porter House (pub) with a brandy-port each.

Unfortunately, the music ended right after we landed

primo seats at the banquette. 

Next week in Westport is Fleadh Cheoil Chonnacht '08,

a weeklong festival "packed with music, street dancing,

lectures, boat tours and singing." We're there!

And our experience here in the west of Ireland is that

the inclement weather discourages no one from attending!