Mullingar

Peter Kinch

Mullingar.

Why Mullingar??

I can still hear the Irish barman’s response in Vancouver when I told him where I was going.

I had a similar response from my first Dublin taxi driver. He seemed appalled that I was going to Mullingar – when I told him it was for three months – his response was ‘Jaysuz, ye’ve no family there. Jaysuz.’

My second experience was different – different response. Taxi driver proclaimed loudly. ‘Ain’t no show like a Joe Show.’

Two hours later, disembarking at Mullingar train station, making my way down Dominick Street. The Westmeath Topic. Up a flight of three stairs – I knew I should have packed less – but hard to do when planning for Irish weather…

Checking into my humble apartment. How does that immersion unit work again?

First morning – time to start my routine.

Out for a coffee at Chocolate Browns – must remember to grab a loyalty card this time.

Breakfast at Days Bazaar – love that place.

Dinner options – plenty.

Options for a pint? Even more.

A chance meeting at Canton Casey’s led to a local insight. There’s a literary festival this weekend, The Mullingar Literary Festival. I attend the Sunday portion.

And then another introduction – Inklings.

I attended my first Inklings session at the Annebrook Hotel the following Tuesday.

A welcoming group. A group of like-minded people. A group of amazingly talented writers. I found my tribe.

Over the upcoming weeks, I was challenged to be a better writer. Challenged to develop my craft. Like having a work-out partner at the gym to keep you accountable.

I was thankful for it.

I felt at home.

Over the following days and weeks, a routine set in.

Shopping at Dunnes – always attentive to spend €25 in order to get the €5 discount coupon the next visit.

Sorry, wine isn’t included.

Sorry, it expires after five days.

And the music – oh the music.

DG and Decky at Murray’s on a Saturday night.

Thursday night. Trad sessions at Chamber’s Bar, then jam sessions with some of the best local talent every second Thursday across the street at Caffrey’s – amazing.

‘Do The Yoke’ house band at Smiddy’s every Friday night – love those guys.

Is it a bad thing that I’m on a first-name basis with more than one bartender in town?

Mekong is definitely my ‘go-to’ for green Thai curry.

Love John – the fishmonger who parks his truck outside my doorstep every Thursday morning with fresh fish. Atlantic salmon, haddock, sea bass and my new favourite, monkfish. Always fried up with a dusting of Dunnes Fish Seasoning and finished off with lemon, butter and sav blanc.

And then the library. After-hours access for members until 10pm seven days a week. Amazing. Wish I’d known that earlier…

Makes up for Lingi’s, the chipper right across from my apartment. Love their chips, but open till 4am on Fridays and Saturdays, to cater to the crowds leaving Mojos and The Final Fence nightclubs… Thank God for double glazed windows.

No description of Mullingar is complete without mentioning the Royal Canal – the reason I chose Mullingar in the first place – the motivation for more than a few scenes in my book.

The water. The swans. The foliage. An endless source of peace and serenity on a summer’s day.

Ahh, Mullingar.

A place I’ve come to love.

What did that first taxi driver know anyways… certainly not what I came to know.

Peter Kinch from Canada attended Inklings for a few months. Inklings Writing Group meet on Tuesdays at 11am and Wednesdays at 7.30pm in the Annebrook House Hotel, Mullingar. Lovers of writing welcome.