That'll do Naas-ly...
And then, Cath got my jacket to make a snow angel...
which pretty much left me freezing my ass off in the snow!
After the rugby we went out for coffee and caught up with Courtney. Michele enjoyed being sandwiched between his ladies in red!
The couple returned from their photos elsewhere in the hotel and we made our way through for food, etc - the wait was worthwhile! The place was stunning and the food was great
The cake was cut...
And so, with my buddy Dave (who I used to work with at Enterprise Ireland) and Sinead getting married, we headed off to Dublin and County Kildare for a long weekend to a place called Naas (which is pronounced 'Nayce' and not the way we say the name of a certain Springbok flyhalf who had something of a reputation for never needing to wash his sparkling white shorts).
Haven't heard of Naas? Not surprising really, I think the biggest thing about it is this ball (above), which is a good monument, I think, to the state of Irish roads.
But I digress.
We hired a car and drove up on Saturday morning, even though the wedding was on the Sunday, so that we could see some of our buddies beforehand.
But I digress.
We hired a car and drove up on Saturday morning, even though the wedding was on the Sunday, so that we could see some of our buddies beforehand.
The roads near Cork were a bit slippery what with the ice and snow.
What's that? Yes I said snow in Cork.
What's that? Yes I said snow in Cork.
It doesn't normally snow in Cork I think, as the weather is normally a bit warmer here than in the rest of Ireland and the UK, but this time it did...
Now snow may not be a big thing for many people, but Cath and I think it's a big deal - so much so that on the way up, we had to take a detour to go and make a snowman!
We took a detour up towards the hills. The roads were tiny but it was beautiful up there surrounded by white. The snow was fairly deep too so it was the most I'd ever seen cos the last time I saw snow, there was barely enough around to scrape together a snowball.
We took a detour up towards the hills. The roads were tiny but it was beautiful up there surrounded by white. The snow was fairly deep too so it was the most I'd ever seen cos the last time I saw snow, there was barely enough around to scrape together a snowball.
We found a field and I managed to open the gate. There were no sheep in our field but there clearly had been cos one of the snowballs that I threw at Cath definitely stank of some sort of animal crap.
Speaking of snowballs, while the plan may have began as 'operation snowman', it quickly became 'operation biggest snowball', and we took great pleasure in pounding each other. Usually resorting to punches, tickles, slaps, dead legs and other means, snowballs were a welcome respite from the usual abuse we inflict on each other.
Speaking of snowballs, while the plan may have began as 'operation snowman', it quickly became 'operation biggest snowball', and we took great pleasure in pounding each other. Usually resorting to punches, tickles, slaps, dead legs and other means, snowballs were a welcome respite from the usual abuse we inflict on each other.
Cath then decided it would be a good idea to try and kick up some snow...
... before we eventually got down to the real job of building 'yer man'. Notice, not only did Cath get my gloves for the task, but yer man also got my hat. Alas, we were not prepared so we didn't have a carrot for his nose.
... before we eventually got down to the real job of building 'yer man'. Notice, not only did Cath get my gloves for the task, but yer man also got my hat. Alas, we were not prepared so we didn't have a carrot for his nose.
We really took to Yer man and while i got an arm around the shoulder and a manly hug, Cath got a smooch. I heard he wasn't a good kisser though, his kisses left her feeling cold.
And then, Cath got my jacket to make a snow angel...
which pretty much left me freezing my ass off in the snow!
LOOK: A SNOW ANGEL!
Anyhoo. It was 6 nations day and with our Italian buddy Michele now firmly into rugby, we met him at a Dublin pub to watch the Italy vs Ireland game. Italy played well but away from home, they just didn't have enough.
After the rugby we went out for coffee and caught up with Courtney. Michele enjoyed being sandwiched between his ladies in red!
Not having seen enough of the two of them, we decided to ask Nur if we could bring the two of them along for supper at Nur's place.
Now normally we wouldn't drop a surprise on someone like that, but the last time we went round to Nur's place for a cup of tea, she supplied us with a full (brilliant) meal, drinks, pudding and snacks - so we were pretty sure there would be enough food.
In typical Nur fashion, she had cooked us a massive, delicious chicken and mushroom pie - which we did great damage to!
Now normally we wouldn't drop a surprise on someone like that, but the last time we went round to Nur's place for a cup of tea, she supplied us with a full (brilliant) meal, drinks, pudding and snacks - so we were pretty sure there would be enough food.
In typical Nur fashion, she had cooked us a massive, delicious chicken and mushroom pie - which we did great damage to!
Courtney put on some music and proceeded to 'shake her booty' in Nur's living room with Michele. It was a good night and we ended up hitting the sack late after talking into the evening.
Once again, the girls just couldn't resist his Italian accent... either that or they were posing for his new Facebook profile picture!
The next morning, we slept in and made our way downstairs to where Nur was already up making pancakes for us. If anyone ever needs a place to stay, I can whole-heartedly recommend Nur's - great food, the offer of a cup of tea every few minutes and a fantastically comfy bed. We didn't want to leave!
But we had to - and we made our way to Naas for the afternoon wedding.
I knew Dave was anti-religion, but it was interesting to note in the ceremony booklet that he was a 'humanist' - a group "with a joyful, life-affirming non-religious outlook on life with a strong ethical and moral dimension, based on a concern for humanity and the natural world".
But we had to - and we made our way to Naas for the afternoon wedding.
I knew Dave was anti-religion, but it was interesting to note in the ceremony booklet that he was a 'humanist' - a group "with a joyful, life-affirming non-religious outlook on life with a strong ethical and moral dimension, based on a concern for humanity and the natural world".
Dave's a really cool guy, and even though the two of us totally disagree when it comes to God, we've had some pretty good chats over the years about it (and other stuff)- he pities me for my naiive religious views, and I just tell him, 'That's okay, I'll pray for you'.
He is also one of the nicest guys I know. In this photie below, Dave (on the right) is waiting next to his brother Paudie, for Sinead to enter the church. You should have seen his face light up when he saw her! Aaaaaaaaahhhhhh!
While the fact that he doesn't believe does make me feel a bit.... well.... like he's missing out, I do never-the-less respect him for having the balls to go against what is such a massive tradition over here - the big church wedding!
So there was no Mass, but they did keep some traditions from the Catholic ceremony - namely a white dress, two candles signifying the two of them lighting a new candle signifying them as a new couple, exchanging vows and rings, etc - oh and of course, "you may kiss the bride".
The weather was pretty crap so there was no going outside for photos for them and we spent a few hours catching up with some friends from EI that I used to work with.
The weather was pretty crap so there was no going outside for photos for them and we spent a few hours catching up with some friends from EI that I used to work with.
This is John, EI's entertainment guru. I think he may be the only man in Ireland not to drink any alcohaol, something he's never actually done. But he's another really cool oke and is often the last man to leave a party.
The couple returned from their photos elsewhere in the hotel and we made our way through for food, etc - the wait was worthwhile! The place was stunning and the food was great
The cake was cut...
And the speeches were about to begin when we were reminded of another great Irish tradition... betting on the length of speeches. The Irish will bet on pretty much anything... The Oscars, Big Brother, sport, etc. But this time, we were passing two euro coins around in an effort to get the kitty up. In the end it was about 20 bucks - which I WON!!!!
Woohoo, now I know, 20 isn't THAT much, but the fact is, I WON! - I never win anything!
My bet of 31 minutes and 17 seconds ended up being 3 seconds out. Next closest was Cath - who thought she might sneak it at the end. Oh well, she'll raid my wallet realistically anyway!
Here's cath with 'the betting card'.... No chance sweetie, the money's mine!
After supper there was the throwing of the bouquet...
... A bit of dancing...
... and time for another photo or two...
... before it became time to leave. When we did eventaully leave, our car was pretty-much frozen so we first had to melt the ice off the windscreens before we could drive off. We then headed to our bnb at about 2am and slept like logs!
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