I was recently in Ireland in Cong which is where they filmed The Quiet Man with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. I was with my Mum, who is a sprightly 85, and I’m on the lookout for a new boyfriend for her. I’ve decided the next one has to have a bit of money at his back to fatten up my inheritance. It’s belatedly occurred to me that I should have thought of this ruse a while back because I’m sure that given the age factor, she might have got through three or four by now and I would be well on the way to having a very comfortable retirement. As it is I have a sneaking suspicion Mum will outlive me so all my plans will come to naught anyway. She’s already asked me where I want my ashes scattered.
Incidentally my favourite quote from The Quiet Man is by Father Peter Lonergan when he’s talking to Sean “John Wayne” Thornton:
“Ah, yes… I knew your people, Sean. Your grandfather; he died in Australia, in a penal colony. And your father, he was a good man too.”