‘Sure, what’s in Meath?’ Plenty as it happens

There is a man I have known for some years now who is more than happy to invite friends to his home in Waterford to stay for a few days. He is single, has a good job, a job he enjoys and intends to continue doing until he reaches retirement, which is not all that far away now.

This most gregarious of men enjoys life and likes to spend his holidays going abroad, to places like India and North Africa. He is a kind, sensitive and generous person who does a lot of good work. When he invites people to stay at his fine home it is a genuine invite but there is a stipulation included as well he applies to visitors.

He feels that after a couple of days people start getting in each other’s way and it can all become, shall we say, a little awkward. He has a saying which neatly sums up how he feels on the matter: “People are like fish - after three days they begin to smell,” he will say with one of his loud laughs.

This year he was thinking of spending his summer holidays in Greece but luckily hesitated before booking. Then Covid-19 struck and travelling to Greece was gone as a realistic option. He was relieved. He avoided the fate of others; losing out on a long-anticipated holiday and unable to get their money back.

Instead he took up that long-issued invitation from my better half and I to come to Meath for a few days, stay with us in our modest dwelling and enjoy the sights - and he duly did. Apart from a week or so in Mosney as a youngster many moons ago he hadn’t visited the Royal County before.

When the invite was originally issued some years ago he’s first reaction was: “Sure, what’s in Meath?” It was all part of the good-humoured banter that went out when we sought to compare the delights of Meath and his beloved Waterford.

Anyway instead of heading for Athens or Crete he got in his car and made his way to the Royal County. Always mindful of social distancing he spent a few days embarking on a “Royal tour” he had carefully planned. He visited Trim Castle, Hill of Tara and other less well-known sites such as Dunmoe Castle – and he was delighted with what he found.

His positive reaction to the landscape and the historic sites he found in Meath reminded me of just how fortunate we are to live in this part of the country. How indeed, we are fortunate, to live in a country that is, generally speaking, governed reasonably well.

We have our issues, of course, but all in all there is a lot to be grateful for in this part of the world. An awful lot.