Lilly had waited in line to kiss the popular and probably germ infected, Blarney Stone. It had been two years since her husband Phillip died and she hoped that taking a trip to Ireland would give her a new perspective on life.
Once she emerged from the narrow staircase to the rooftop of the castle, a cool breeze struck her face. Kissing a stone embedded in the adjacent wall while upside down seemed silly and yet she longed to make her wish. “Don’t worry. I’ve gotcha. Just lean all the way back.” Lilly felt the warmth of the man’s grasp as she brushed her curly brown hair from her eyes.
“Okay. Here goes!” Lilly leaned out over what seemed like a thousand feet. She closed her eyes and kissed the cold moist stone. “It’s time to find a new love.” As she looked up at the black-haired Irishman and saw the clouds behind him rush by, she heard a whisper in the wind.
“You’ll be happy here.”
The strong attendant pulled her back up and she rose to feet, only to feel rather woozy.
“That was odd.” Lilly looked back over her shoulder. She gazed out at the view from the castle and tried to make sense of the moment. “I just need something to eat.”
Lilly had dinner at the restaurant on the castle grounds while consulting a map. Her next stop would be at a bed and breakfast where she would stay the night.
She drove through the lush green countryside while long shadows began to creep across the winding lane. Soon lights glimmered from quaint cottages separated from the road by ancient looking stone fences. She had to stop twice for herds of sheep that trotted right in front of her. Trees canopied over the road like dark fingers clasping. The moonlight illuminated deteriorating castles as she drove on.
Just as she started to fear that she had missed it, a little sign caught her eye.
McClarran’s B & B.
Lilly pulled into the circle drive and parked in front of the old stone castle. Dragging her wheeled suitcase behind her, she walked up to the curved knotty pine door. “It is like a fairytale,” she thought as she banged the brass knocker.
She heard footsteps and then the heavy door opened on old hinges. “Welcome! You must be Lilly. I’m Liam. Come in!”
“Thank you.” Lilly entered the hall.
“Let me show you to your room.”
He led her up a staircase. The rungs were carved with ivy leaves. A large black wrought iron chandelier was hung from the ceiling in the center of the foyer. A beautiful painting of the sea hung on the wall on the landing. “Is that the Cliffs of Moor?” Lilly asked.
“Yes. My father painted it years ago.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“Are you interested in art?”
“Yes, I’m a watercolor artist.”
“Wonderful! There are many gardens here on the grounds. Feel free to explore and paint all you like.” He opened up the bedroom door for her and said, “Oh and I hope you’ll join my brother and me for breakfast in the dining room. If you won’t be needin’ anythin’ else, I’ll see you in the morning then.”
”Sounds great!”
Liam nodded his head, and went back downstairs.
Lilly threw her suitcase on the feather bed and walked over to the paned glass window. She could just make out the contour of a turret in the moonlight.
“What an amazing place.”
Lilly slipped on a cream silk nightgown and climbed into bed. Her dreams soon took her to a sun-drenched garden. She giggled while dancing with someone, but when she looked up at him, he vanished.
A current of frigid air woke her from her dream. She gasped at the apparition who hung suspended overhead. The gentleman with the coattails smiled and then in the same breathy whisper she’d heard earlier said, “You’ll be happy here.” She watched in disbelief as he floated out the window.
Lilly leapt out of bed, swung the door open, and tripped into the arms of a man who had been walking down the hallway. His warm touch sent shock waves through her body.
“I am so sorry!” She gazed into his soulful brown eyes under a mop of curly brown hair.
He released his firm grip and smiled, “Are you alright?”
“I, I must have been dreaming.”
“I’m Liam’s brother Michael, and you must be Lilly. Can I get you anything?”
“No, I’m fine,” said Lilly feeling her cheeks burn. He looked familiar somehow.
“Will I see you at breakfast?”
“You will.”
Lilly reentered her room. It would be hours before she could fall back to sleep.
She awoke to the sun streaking through the window. After checking the time, she bolted out of bed. She tried on several outfits before choosing one and then went downstairs.
Lilly joined a group of tourists in the paneled dining room. Her heart skipped a beat when Michael entered the room carrying a coffee pot. He brought her a cup and when his hand brushed hers, it sent another tremor through her. She listened to the others converse while she finished her breakfast.
“So Lilly, Liam tells me you’re an artist,” Michael said, “Would you care to see the gardens?”
“I’d love to.”
“Great. I’ll give you a tour and then I’ll be making my way to Blarney Castle. I’ve been volunteering there a bit.”
As they rounded the corner of the buffet, a framed picture fell to the floor. Lilly bent over to pick it up and gazed into the eyes of her ghostly visitor. She tried to hide her shock and said, “Who is this?”
“That’s my father. He passed away several years ago. I think you would have liked him.” He put his hand on the small of her back and guided her out into the garden.
What would Saint Patrick’s Day be without some
Bailey’s & Old Greg
Irish Cream from Allrecipes.com
Original Recipe Yield 4 cups
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 2/3 cups Irish whiskey
- 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
- 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
Directions
- In a blender, combine heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, Irish whiskey, instant coffee, chocolate syrup, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Blend on high for 20 to 30 seconds. Store in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator. Shake well before serving
All Photos by Susie Lindau – 1st two from the top of Blarney Castle
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
Have you ever seen a ghost?
~~~
Great post.
Great story! I can’t wait to read more of your posts. And I loved Old Gregg there at the end. Definitely punctuated the light spookiness of the story. And who doesn’t like the Boosh?
What was your inspiration for this story?
Thanks so much!
Old Greg cracks me up every time!
I wrote it with St. Patty’s Day in mind. It started off with some memories of our trip to Ireland and it took off from there!
Thanks for subscribing!
enjoyed this very much
Thanks so much Dean and for subscribing!
hi Susie – my pleasure…looking forward to more
I didn’t get to read it on St. Patrick’s day, but I loved your story anyway! I’ve always wanted to kiss the Blarney stone, lol.
That’s me kissing the stone 12 years ago! Thanks for stopping by Madison!
I could tell!
Hey, Susie – your response to last week’s Weekly Question of the Week, about what the government is doing with all the hours it takes, is one of the finalists! You should begin the relentless self-promotion and voting for yourself – the poll is on my main page right now. I’m still working on the formatting, though, so this may change.
Yikes… I just went to vote for Susie and she is neck and neck with Blogdramedy (which was pretty good too). I’m going back to see if I can vote again.
p.s. didn’t work…
Fantastical! Thank you so much! Can’t wait to start all the shameless canvassing. Maybe I should start promoting with an automated phone call….
Just post it on Madison’s blog… everyone will get it! hahahaha!
Thanks Ted! You rock!
Is it possible that Lily can check out anytime she wants, but she can never . . . leave? Well hewn story Ms. Lindau. And Happy St. Patricks Day weekend to you!
That is one of my all time favorites songs and sang it around the house Friday. Maybe I was subconsciously thinking the same thing. Hahaha!
Thanks so much Cayman and same to you! I’ll be making my corned beef tonight!
That’s possible Cayman, but since Lily’s husband has been gone for 2 years now, and with all those nice Irishmen so handy, well… she may not want too.
Very true. Lily does have a lot of pretty, pretty boys that she calls friends.
Some dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat….
Loved your ghost story, Susie. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you (well, what’s left of it now…) I had one glass of white wine and now I’m ready to go to sleep. yeah, that’s all I can handle I guess…
Thanks so much!
) at the Lazy Dog. Now for a bit of Baileys and off to bed. Thanks so much for following! I hope you are feeling better~
You are 2 hours ahead us.. We just got home from St. Patty’s at Connor O’Neills and March Madness (CU lost
Hope you don’t find Old Gregg in there…
I haven’t finished it, he still could be in the very bottom. Oh! It’s OLD GREG!! The scaley manfish!! Hahaha! Okay I am still laughing at that ridiculous video!
What a triumph for you, Susie! Well done!
Thanks Hook!
I found two of your comments in spam…weird. Not so weird for others who put a ton of links in their comments!
Love it, Susie! Mysterious men left right and centre. I haven’t had a baileys in ages, I might have to try that. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Thanks so much Catherine! Happy Saint Patty’s Day! Definitely raise a glass today!
Okay… I just watched ‘Old Greg’! Insane!!!
I wanted to find a video with only the first 7 minutes because the cartoon is awful. The only one I could embed was the full version.
“Do you want some Bailey’s?” My kids (20 and 22) and I still joke about it!
Thanks for coming by!
A very engaging story, Wild Thing… I liked the ending. And I loved the line… ‘popular and probably germ infected, Blarney Stone’.
Loved the photos too. One of my granddaughters is half Irish, and when she was visiting her grandparents at Christmas, she took a photo of some sheep… with the paint on them.
What a wonderful Story,gotta try that recipie..sounds fun and yum
Have a great weekend Susie
Hugs n love
Thanks Soma! Let me know how you liked it! We used to make it all the time! I might have a sip now that you mention it….
Have a wonderful weekend!
My late husband and I used to make Irish Cream every year at Christmas…same recipe as yours except we didn’t add instant coffee–but it was still extremely delicious!
Loved your post.
Thanks Sylvia! I am glad that it brought back wonderful memories!
This is great!
Thanks so much! Happy Saint Patty’s Day!
As a Fitzpatrick, I was in need of a good Irish story. Thanks for sharing as usual Susie!
livemotra.com
I am so glad Corey! Thanks! I am a McCartan so I know what you mean~
Wonderful story! A bit of the old Irish to start the weekend right!
Thanks El Guapo! I am glad you enjoyed it!
My dad used to make that recipe all the time and wish I could go to Ireland.
1:40 just doing laundry and breakfast dishes. Between Amazon and writing the day goes by fast. Just threw the laundry in and I have to put a timer on so I will remember. and had Susie written in CAPITAL letters on my hand.
Erin go Braugh!
You are such a sweetie! Have a happy St. Patty’s Day! It’s 2:48 here and I have yet to throw in one load….
See, your story has a great Irish feel to it! This I can totally support. I’m sure you were holding your breath for my endorsement.
I can breath again! Wow….Thanks! That is a huge endorsement coming from the all-time St. Patrick’s Day Pooper although I know your tongue was firmly placed in your cheek. Who can pass up a good beer on St. Patrick’s Day??? I am looking forward to a nice cold Black and Tan, but I think I’ll pass on the car bombs…..
Happy St. Patty’s Day my fellow Irishman!
I love this — story and a recipe! I just read a book called “Lunch in Paris,” where the author tells how she fell in love with her husbands and includes recipes. Can’t wait to try yours
Awesome Debra. Thank you so much!
I used to make Baileys all the time, but lost my recipe. Now it is all over the web!
The book sounds great.
Happy St. Patty’s to you!
Great story!! Followed by a great recipe to keep a girl warm on a cold winter night.
Always fun stuff on your blog, Susie!
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
Thanks so much!
It is like summer here, but they keep saying it is going to snow…..that is a great recipe!
Great Story— Made my St. Patrick’s Day. A Happy week end and a Happy St. Patty’s Day Susie!
PKC
Thank you so much Peter! Have a wonderful weekend too!
What a cool story. Have you posted it before? I’d swear I’ve read it somewhere… maybe in a past life?
Baileys is one of my faves, I have to make this drink! I like to add it to my cocoa recipes, too.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Must have been in a past life! Hahaha! Thanks so much for reading it.
Happy St. Patty’s to you and thanks for including me in your mash-up!
Love a good haunting! Have a Great Weekend – Happy St Paddys Day:)
Thank you so much!
Have a great St. Patrick’s Day weekend too!
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Erin go Bragh and Happy St. Pat’s Day! Love the Irish photos, and was lucky enough to visit in ’94. I have seen a ghost…specifically, the ghost of a horse. Nobody ever believes me, though.
I believe you Heather! I have seen many, but always at night. Noisy ones too!
Erin go Braugh to you!! Have a wonderful weekend!
This is delightful writing. But I had no idea you were a Mighty Boosh fan too.
Thanks so much! I love this video although I realize some may not “get” the humor. It cracks me up every time!
I heard from an English blogger I know that one of those Boosh guys is doing a new show in the UK and it is hilarious.
Can we get it here in the States?
I keep looking on BBC America, but nothing yet. It is called Luxury Comedy, done by Noel Fielding… I think he was the fashion guy. If you find it first, let me know.
I definitely will! Thanks!
I love An Irish Haunting! Great ending. Well done, Susie! Mmm, Bailey’s sounds mighty good right now!
Thanks so much Lynn!
I am ready for happy hour myself and haven’t had lunch yet! It is a beautiful, sunny, and warm day here…
Happy St. Patty’s Day!
Great story, Susie… ghostly love..
Thanks Darlene! I am glad you liked it…
Have a great weekend and St. Patrick’s Day!
I’m not normally one for romantic stories and whatnot, but this was quite a compelling read. A bit longer than I expected (had to make sure I hadn’t missed your #FF piece, first!) but it has some great imagery and captures the feel of rural areas when she’s driving to the inn.
A bit of a twist on the usual ghost story fare, too.
garybaileywriting.wordpress.com/2012/03/16/fridayfictioneers-the-colour-of-death/
Thanks Gary! I didn’t link it at Madison’s because of the length. I do appreciate you coming by!
If only I had some Bailey’s to go along with reading an excellent story, what a complementary pairing.
Awww! Thanks Nelle and have a wonderful St. Patty’s Day!
I loved the story. In tune with the modern fear of anything that might hint at a fairytale ending I was so afraid you would have her freaking out and riding off into the sunrise, never to return!
Thank you so much! It is a bit longer than my usual Friday fare, but I wanted to tell the tale….
Fun story and recipe! Hauntings seem to add extra kick to St. Patty’s Day and all days.
Hope yours is a happy one.
Thanks August! Happy St. Patty’s day to you!
I’ve been to Ireland and when I saw you were writing about the Blarney Stone I figured something was up. All my friends and I took pictures of each other kissing the blarney stone, but you know what? Not a single picture turned out or even showed up. It was like 7 different cameras all malfunctioned at the same time! Pretty odd?
Lovely love story. I adore innate messages like that. Happy St. Patty’s!
Thanks Jess! That is so weird… There are strange hauntings on the Emerald Isle….
Weeellll–an’ for sure, ya got me ta thinkin’ about the Irish. Will have to pull out me Bailey cups and indulge!
Enjoyed your story.
mine: http://www.vlgregory-circa1800.vpweb.com/blog.html
Dear Susie,
Thanks for taking me to Ireland. I was deep into your story from word one. Very nice touches throughout.
Aloha,
Doug
Thanks Doug! I decided to take a trip to Ireland with St. Patty’s Day and all…
Hi,
A fantastic story, a ghost story but with love in the air, I loved it.
I watched the video all the way through, I am still laughing, that is one weird video.
Thanks for reading it Mags!
The video is so ridiculous, but it makes me laugh every time. I wanted to find a shorter version, but full length is all that’s available. I just had to include Old Greg and his Bailey’s…Hahaha!
Oh.. if only I had some Bailey’s for my morning coffee! Love Old Greg.. my kids introduced him to me last summer! Hilarious! But.. I loved your story more.. xo Happy St P’s Day!
My kids introduced me too! Hilarious… I just had to let come by on St. Patty’s weekend for some Bailey’s. Hahaha.
Thanks! I am glad that you liked it.
not fair to put a recipe’s for bailey’s out when I have to go to work…great story. by the way. but i want more
Thanks Louise! I am glad you liked the story.
You can make the Bailey’s this weekend!
Reblogged this on and commented:
You are sure to like this
Love this post!
Thanks Vina! That is so cool. Don’t yah just love Old Greg?