Dublin, Ireland - St Patrick's Day 1979

Dame Street Lightpost

"Saturday - Saint Patrick's Day 17 March 1979

Begoorah and all that rot!  Actually the weather stinks - yes folks it is the 17th of March here in fair Dublin and it's snowing, and more than snowing, it's windy and COLD outside - ie January cold - I'm not used to this kind of weather anymore.  But Joanne, Sheryl, Susie, Julie, and I trudged up to O'Connell Street undaunted.  In typical Irish fashion the parade was about half an hour late - there was a fairly decent turnout but not nearly the crowd I'd been expecting if the weather had been nice.  The parade was in truth kind of a huge let down.  Somehow there's not much thrill or excitement in watching five-year-old baton twirlers bawling their eyes out because they're about ready to freeze with cold.  The American entries were kind of ridiculous - Alumni of Washington University (Seattle) and a group from Washington DC (tenth year in the parade) and the Texarkana Razorback Marching Band.  All of it very bazaar - such a terrible day because of the weather, but I understand there is an Easter Parade too, so maybe we'll try again!" 

Joanne, Susie, Julie, Sheryl, and Beth - Dublin

"We didn't even stay for the whole parade, but went to the Granery for lunch and then to the play "Cloud Nine" at the Project Arts Center.  A great play...but I don't know if the Irish audience was all that thrilled with it.  It was SO cold today I felt like it was January again - I hadn't realized how much it had warmed up lately.  Sheryl, Joanne and I played Hearts all evening long - no one took it very seriously - lots of aborted attempts to Shoot the Moon - I am beginning to earn a rep as a card shark - undeserved!"