Mood: Irish Jigs and Reels
This will be a bit of a weird blog, but as it is on my mind and this is the only place I blog, here it will be!
I lost my brother several years ago to a virulent form of cancer that took him from us just over 5 weeks from when he was diagnosed. What that meant to my parents, his wife, his young daughter and the rest of the family, I am certain you can imagine, even if only a little. However, this bolds is not about the sadness of loss. No, if is anything other than a fond remembrance, it is about coping.
For several holidays throughout the year and for several decades, my brother and I would evolve what became traditions for us. These traditions always involved a good dose of movies that dealt with the subject of that holiday. These became so ingrained in our memories that we could, would, and did quote many of the lines, and we would always find the time to watch these movies, even when living thousands of miles apart.
For a few years after his passing, these holidays were very emotional due to the years of incredible memories and feeling his loss even more keenly during those times. Though they remain bittersweet today, they are better memories of the many good times we shared, and become more of a celebration than sad times.
In that vein, here are a few of the movies we would watch on or about Saint Patrick’s Day, followed by a quote. These are recommended movies, if they aren’t familiar to you. Some are dated, being older, but still a fun romp.
‘The Quiet Man”, 1952 John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. An Irishman who has lived most of his life in America returns to a home his mother described in such glowing terms as to be Heaven on Earth.
Mary Kate Danaher: Could you use a little water in your whiskey?
Michaleen Flynn: When I drink whiskey, I drink whiskey; and when I drink water, I drink water.
“Darby O’Gill and the Little People”, 1959, Sean Connery and Janet Munro. AN aging groundskeeper spins tales of his acquaintance with the leprechauns of Nochnasheega.
Darby O'Gill: This wasn't like any old Leprechaun that you wouldn't say hello twice to. But who was he, but Brian Conners himself, the King of them all! But I got me eye fixed on 'im. They can't escape, ye know, as long as ye don't look away. Now the night was dark, and the mountain was covered with mist, and the moon was no bigger than the light from a hay-penny candle. But it didn't hide 'im from me, for there he stood, with an angry little gob on him, an' his face as fierce as fire...
“The Secret of Roan Inish” 1995, Jeni Courtney, Susan Lynch and Mick Lally
Young Fiona hears stories about her ancestors, tales that involve mythical creatures called selkies who can shift from seal to human form. After Fiona ends up on the small island of Roan Inish, her family's ancestral home, she believes she may have found her little brother living by the sea.
“Waking Ned Devine” 1998, Ian Brennan and David Kelly. Two lifelong friends devise a scheme to cash in a winning lottery ticket from their friend, Ned Devine, who passed away from the excitement of winning.
Now this has remained the most emotional movie to watch during St. Patrick’s Day, especially with the following and favorite quote:
Jackie O'Shea:
“Michael O'Sullivan was my great friend. But I don't ever remember telling him that. The words that are spoken at a funeral are spoken too late for the man who is dead. What a wonderful thing it would be to visit your own funeral. To sit at the front and hear what was said, maybe say a few things yourself. Michael and I grew old together. But at times, when we laughed, we grew young. If he was here now, if he could hear what I say, I'd congratulate him on being a great man, and thank him for being a friend.”
To go into detail to explain this quote would ruin some of the movie if you haven’t seen it; if you have seen it, you know! Other than the obvious of having lost that brother and the point of this quote (yes, we would semi-regularly tell one another that we loved each other, and with the bonds of movies such as this), I happen to have a great friend who is like a brother to me and I to him, who just happens to be named ‘Michael’. I send him this quote every St’ Patrick’s Day.
“The Boondocks Saints” 1999, Sean Patrick Flanders and Norman Reedus.
Two brothers turn to vigilantism when the Russian mob attacks their friends. A comedic gore fest ensues.
“And Shepherds we shall be For thee, my Lord, for thee. Power hath descended forth from Thy hand Our feet may swiftly carry out Thy commands. So we shall flow a river forth to Thee And teeming with souls shall it ever be. In Nomeni Patri Et Fili Spiritus Sancti.”
“Secret of the Kells” 2009, Brendan Gleason, Evan McGuire and Christen Mooney. An animated movie, young Brendan, an apprentice to a scribe and illuminator gets involved with a woodland mystical being, Aisling, with the impending encroachment of the Vikings. An amazing visual experience and just a lot of fun.
Aisling: "I have lived through many ages, through the eyes of salmon, deer, and wolf. I have seen the Northmen invading Ireland, destroying all in search of gold. I've seen suffering in the darkness. Yet I have seen beauty thrive in the most fragile of places. I have seen the book. The book that turned darkness into light."
I spent a good deal of time after work preparing food for an after work gathering by way of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, and doing so with some of the best people I know. There was Irish Stew, of course, and also lasagna (because I-rished to make some! ☘️)
There was no time to watch any movies with that group, that was for today. And tomorrow. My brother is right there with me as I watch, laugh, repeat lines out loud, cry a little and celebrate him. He’s here, but I do miss him.
I will leave you all with the lyrics to one of my favorite ‘drinking songs’ from the Irish group “Gaelic Storm”
Don’t Go For The One
My friend Harvey married Tracey McColl
by Christ, she was a scary ol' doll
A voice out of hell and with a temper to boot
Arms like a navvy and a face like dried fruit
I bumped into Harvey back home last year
Says I to him, "Do you want to go for a beer?"
"No! Me sister’s French husband is over," says he
"I’ve been sent to get snails to impress him for tea."
"I was down in the snail shop she told me to go
I’m a little bit late because the business was slow...
If I’m not home by six, I’ll surely be done
The missus will kill me, Let’s just go for the one!"
the one, the one, don't go for the one.
Don't go for the one, for the one, for the one
the one, the one, don't go for the one.
Don't go for the one, for the one, for the one
For the one went down fast the second did too
Three of four followed 't was a fine how do you do!
Harvey looked at his watch and shrieked out with fright
It was twenty past ten, we’d been drinking all night!
Well cursing my name, he sped cross the floor
Clutching the snails he ran out the door
"I’m a dead man!" he said "I’m drunk and I’m late!"
As he tore down the road and up to his gate
the one, the one, don't go for the one.
Don't go for the one, for the one, for the one
the one, the one, don't go for the one.
Don't go for the one, for the one, for the one
Well he opened the gate and he ran down the path
for he knew he was in for the dragon’s wrath
But he tripped and he fell and up in the air
went the bag and with the snails flying everywhere
Hearing the noise she kicked open the door
Snails and Harvey were spread cross the floor
“You’re three hours late!!” she screamed, as loud as she could
“What’s your excuse? This had better be good!”
Well he looks down at the snails and with a confident air
He says “Five more feet lads, we’re nearly there.”
the one, the one, don't go for the one.
Don't go for the one, for the one, for the one
the one, the one, don't go for the one.
Don't go for the one, for the one, for the one!
