It has always been a sign that they do things differently in Ireland to Britain and they’re still thinking outside the telephone box.
A retro young Seventies woman occupies the green Telefón box opposite our Parkview Hotel in Newtownmountkennedy in Co. Wicklow.
Where once she would be scrambling for her pennies to put into the slot to make her call (ask your parents).
She is now a mannequin curio.
Nor would she look out of place in the time capsule that is Johnnie Fox’s in Glencullen just up the road.
And billed as the highest pub in Ireland and where we sup Guinnesses and house stout, with pilots and new pals, local and afar.
Step back in time
We are on a whistlestop three-nighter back in my Dear Old Mum’s Irish heartland.
Retracing our own steps from 13 years living in Greystones and working in rugby central Ballsbridge in Dublin 4.
And will mark her today in what would have been her 97th birthday.
Although, of course, she walks with us every day.
And danced with us, Teasy’s Baby, and Daddy’s Daughterie last night.
As the house singer belted out Van Morrison’s Brown-Eyed Girl.
And we worked off our bangers and mash and Murphy’s stout.
The Garden of Ireland
Today, we breakfast at the gardens which give this bordering county to Dublin its reputation.
And old friends, the Slazengers, at their grand estate and exclusive hotel, shopping Mecca and wedding venue.
In Powerscourt, near Bray.
Before taking over the Grand Hotel, Malahide in northern Co. Dublin.
Home from home for my parents on family get-together.
With my mum’s doppelgänger sister, Nance, matriarch of the McNultys and the greater brood.
Malahide and Mums
We will eat, drink, be merry and the craic will pass 90.
And we will toast the Teasy on her birthday, loud enough for them all to hear it up above, or down below.
Where they’ll either be jigging with St Peter or laying down the best beats with Beelzebub.
For best rates at the Parkview and the Grand Hotel Malahide and attractions mentioned here visit their sites.
And, of course, Ireland is served by Aer Lingus. Ryanair, all major airlines and ferries.
