Paraphrased from our travel journal:
On the way towards Kilkenny from Dublin on the 007 bus we made our normal stops that were to be expected. It was around about Castlecomer that things started to get interesting. Less than one kilometer outside of Castlecomer a Garda (police) stopped the bus to say that the town was closed off due to the New Year's Day wellie races (later found that it was a 5k run through the streets in Wellington shoes, no running shoes were allowed). The race was to raise money for local charities while participants could run off their Christmas excesses. Simple enough, its a detour with a well seasoned bus driver. What could go wrong?
Next thing we know, we are marching a 15ft. wide bus down a 14ft. wide detour while attempting to pass oncoming traffic. One of the cars flagged us down to tell the bus driver that a very narrow bridge was up ahead that would not fit a bus of our stature. The car driver offered us another alternate route for the trip. A detour on a detour, on very small, muddy roads in a very large bus. Everything was grand.
There were about 15 passengers on the bus with a majority being Irish and from around the area. With this in mind, we found it quite hilarious that at a fork in the road, the driver turned back to us and asks "Well, any ideas?". Uh.. no is what we wanted to say but all we could muster up was an awkward American facial expression. Luckily, sitting next to us was an Irishman who had grown up in the area and knew some of the roads as best as one could.
It was upon entering the township, or hamlet, or whatever word qualifies a location with one house, a pub, and a church very appropriately named Muckalee that the bus driver found humor in the situation. "Anyone for Muckalee?" the bus driver jokingly shouted back, which produced laughter from every passenger. While this simple joke may not qualify as a great closer in a stand up comic routine, it did show that even in a sticky situation, anyone can laugh at themselves and the matter at hand, especially the very friendly Irish.
We did finally make it back to the major roads towards Kilkenny which brought on a round of applause from all the passenger that almost broke into a standing ovation for the courageous bus driver. Upon hearing the cheers, the bus driver said "Thank you very much. Now I could use a spot of the black stuff... coffee of course."
Our Muckalee Oatmeal Stout is inspired by a journey to this small town in the middle of rural Ireland that symbolizes everything we travel for. Muckalee Oatmeal Stout is a deep, rich brew as dark as the country roads surrounding the little town. We feel that the full body of roasted and chocolate malts paired with the smooth finish of oatmeal is the perfect combination to enjoy on a cold, rainy day while retelling stories of yesterday.
Graffiti art in Dublin
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