Co. Waterford is my native heath and I am immensely proud of the depth of its history, heritage and natural beauty.
Today has been one of those special days in my relationship with this county in the south-east of Ireland. After an early morning swim in Tramore and a walk on the beach, I decided to go to Mahon Falls high up in the Comeragh Mountains. The last time I had been there was on an orienteering trip in the depths of winter and I had vowed that day to go back on a sunny summery day.
The views were magnificent. Sheep and lambs were grazing on the mountainside, the waterfall was gushing down and all the while I could see the blue sea beneath.
On the way back to Tramore, I stopped at a shop tucked away at a little crossroads just down from Mahon Falls. It was called J. Power and Son, an old-fashioned shop that reminded me of the shops my late father used to drop into for ice creams sandwiched between wafers when he would take us kids on mystery tours around Co. Waterford years ago.
The man behind the counter, who was probably in his seventies, greeted me with a warm smile that lit up his kind eyes. He was tall and wearing a grey-green hand-knitted Aran jumper that looked like it totally belonged and had seen a lot of life. Sheer instinct drew me to the ice-cream freezer where I pulled out the first choc-ice that I’ve eaten in about 30 years. We exchanged a few pleasanteries about the weather and then the man looked at me and just said: ‘ It’s hard to beat Co. Waterford on a day like this, isn’t it?’ I agreed and told him I was from Tramore and had just come from visiting Mahon Falls. ‘Ah, so you know the county well, then. Tramore is a fine town. I used to go dancing in the Atlantic Ballroom there years back. Many a good night we had when the showbands would come. Mick Del and …..’
We chatted for quite a few minutes and as I left the shop, I felt like I had glimpsed the very heart of Co. Waterford in those kind eyes at a crossroads between the moutains and the sea. A special moment when past and future met in a what felt like an eternal present.
SOCIAL BRIDGE ~ Jean Tubridy connecting with you from Ireland 
Thanks Jean – lovely to be reminded of life at home
I’m delighted to have had this opportunity of reminding you of ‘home.’ Thanks very much for writing.
Great to meet you online Jeann – might be good to meet up in Tramore sometime. Am home for the first couple of weeks in June.
What a lovely post.
Catherine, thanks for your comment. I really enjoyed writing it!
That would be wonderful! Let’s make sure we meet in June ~ where’s your favourite place in Co. Waterford?
Lovely post, Jean. The Comeragh Mountains is one of the most beautiful spots on Earth. It is one of my most spiritual places.
Thank you. I totally agree about the Comeraghs. It is such a pleasure to live so near them and to be able to see them in the different seasons.
As a fellow Tramore native (albeit adopted) I couldn’t agree more. Lovely post, Jean.
Derek, thanks for witing. I reckon we have it all in Co. Waterford ~ great people, sea, mountains, beautiful historic city, and, of course, plenty of sun!
I really enjoyed this lovely post — nice photographs – must get to know Waterford a bit better. The shop man in the ganzie sounds like a real treasure !
I’m delighted you enjoyed it! The man in the shop was an absolute gentleman. He could give lessons in how to communicate with customers and make people feel at home! You definitely have to get to know Co. Waterford. It’s a jewel.