Quiet Man Bridge
Near Maam Cross, Connemara, County Galway, Connacht,
Republic of Ireland Photographic Print
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This is the story of "Terry's Perfect Christmas" or why we went to Ireland in the first place. When I met Terry in the summer of 1997 it was apparent to me that he was Irish and proud of it! He told me of his Irish ancestry and how he had always wished to go to Ireland. He had a collection of Irish Wade porcelain and many books about Ireland.

At that time there was a TV series on PBS, "The Irish In America", which we watched together. We also watched his favorite movie on video, "The Quiet Man", starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara, which was about a man who was born in Ireland, returned there to live, and fell in love with the girl next door.


Terry had saved some money for a trip and had gotten his passport but he did not want to go alone. He wanted someone to share the excitement with. After learning that taking the trip was his passion, I wanted to go just as much as he did. So, that Christmas I obtained my own passport and secretly bought two Aer Lingus tickets to Ireland. I had to keep the secret for about a month and I felt like I would burst! We were going to stay three weeks and I purposely made the arrangements to coincide with Terry's birthday in April. I also had sent to Bord Failte (the Irish Tourist Board) for information on accommodations so that we could choose them together.

When Terry opened his Christmas gift he was absolutely overwhelmed and was so happy that he could hardly contain himself! He immediately got on the phone and called everyone he knew to relate his good news. It was like a miracle to Terry and he told me that it was his best Christmas ever. Terry was still very excited the next day and thinking about the tasty Irish food. So, we went to the supermarket and purchased the ingredients for corned beef and cabbage! We continued our celebration with an Irish supper and some Guinness stout.

Click here for the next story Driving in Ireland.