Felicity's Autumn in Killareny

Jack and Felicity trudged back to the car after being given their task by Mary to go and retrieve Halloween decorations from his aunt in Kenmare,

“Have you ever been through Moll’s Gap?” Jack asked her as they passed the turn off for Muckross House and the traditional farms. “No,” she said, “the last time we tried to go through the park there were road closures because of the fires.” Summer had been too hot , for the people, for the animals, for the fields, and for the National Park.

“Well then, I’ve got a treat for you,” he said. They made their way through the dips and weaves of the road that seemed to continue forever. They sung along to Radio Kerry as they went, open windows and music blaring despite the cold misty rain that had settled over the mountaintops and lakes.

They were going around a series of rather tight bends when they turned a corner to see a tight looking tunnel. Felicity nearly jumped out of her skin as Jack beeped the horn as they passed under it. She shot him a glare. “What? It’s tradition!” he objected. The tension didn’t take long to dissolve as she laughed at his indignation.

As soon as she stopped giggling, Jack started to talk. “There are so many local folktales that come up around Halloween. Like the story about the girl on the bike.”

Felicity smiled. “What story?” she asked. That was all the invitation Jack needed. “Well, years ago there was a girl who cycled home through the national park. One dark night, she was knocked off of her bike and died near Derrycunihy Church. Legend has it that if you’re driving past the church at nighttime and look in your rearview mirror, you’ll see her cycling on her bike, still trying to get home.”

Felicity watched the road as Jack told the story. The bends they were driving were treacherous. As Jack finished speaking, an old stone bridge came into view. Beyond the bridge was a derelict abandoned church, rising out of the fog. Its windows were boarded up and it certainly looked like it could be haunted. “And this,” Jack paused for dramatic effect, “is where she died.”

Felicity chanced a glance in the rearview mirror, but saw only clear road as they left the church behind them. She heard Jack chuckle. “It’s daytime silly, you won’t see her now.”

Kenmare
Jack spent the rest of the trip teasing Felicity about her superstition. Before long they arrived in Kenmare. Jack pulled up to a home in a small housing estate. As soon as he shut off the engine, the door opened. A short red-haired lady came out to meet them. As she did, three children shot out from behind her and darted to the field on the other side of the road.

“Be careful! And look where you’re going, “ the lady shouted after them. She turned her attention back to Jack and Felicity. “Jack dear, how are you? I heard you’d had quite the adventure over summer.”

Felicity tried not to laugh at Jack’s grimace as the woman pulled him down into a hug with a nasty wet kiss on his cheek. She was small but mighty, it seemed. “Nothing worse than normal Auntie Shelly. You know how it is. How are you?”

She seemed to perk up at the question. “Good good, you know me. I always try to keep busy. Between the kids being back in school and helping organise the Halloween Howl, it’s all bustling down here. How’s your mother?”

It seemed community involvement and event planning was a big interest in Jack’s family. Even their jaunt up Carrauntoohil had been spearheaded by Jack.

Their conversation continued as they went inside. Jack paused to introduce Felicity before his aunt practically forced them to sit at her kitchen table. She pushed hot tea into their hands and sat with them.

“It’s a busy season. We’re not as big as Killarney, but when it comes to Halloween I like to think we have the same amount of enthusiasm.” She gestured towards some old photos on the wall, with what looked like a young Jack amongst a crowd of other children. “Do you remember when you and the cousins went around doing the spooky orienteering?”

Jack nodded. “The older cousins used to love jumping out at us from the forest. I think Mom lost it one year after I came home covered in mud from falling because I was so scared.”

“Yes, I remember that!” Shelly laughed. “It’s on this evening actually. I was wonder if you’d take your smaller cousins to it? Michelle is away and we don’t know if she’ll be back for it this evening.”

“I mean,” Jack said glancing at Felicity. “Mam won’t need the decorations until tomorrow. We could stay around for the afternoon and go to the orienteering later on. It’d be a late enough drive home but it’d be fun.”

Felicity considered it. “I’m happy to hang around. I haven’t see much outside of Killarney.”

“That’s brilliant!” Shelly exclaimed. “We’ll take you out somewhere nice for dinner before you set off. Give me a bit to get ready. Make yourselves at home in the meantime.” She marched out of the room. “Jack, you know where the tea and the TV remote are.” She shouted over her shoulder as she went.

“Well, I guess that’s our evening plans sorted,” Felicity laughed. “Let me just text Auntie Sheila and let her know I won’t be home until late.” They settled into the living room to wait. “Will you help me study for my driving theory test?”