G'Day From Downunder

Mike Bowen With all The Latest From Irish-Australia

Gee, it's good to be back talking to you again. It seems like a lifetime away since we last had a cup of tea and a chat together.

First, let me thank all of you who wrote inquiring about my whereabouts. I can assure you I am in good health, fighting fit and raring to go again.

The reason for my absence was that I was busy writing a stage show on the life and adventures of Pat Falvey, Ireland's iconic adventurer and mountain climber.

His is an extraordinary and compelling story, which I will share with you in another section of the Irish Examiner over the next few weeks.

So many things have happened since we last caught up I am wondering where to start.

Let me begin with my recent trip to Ireland and the people I met with.

I caught a Qantas A380 Airbus on Monday October 17 leaving Melbourne bound for Ireland via Singapore and London, and finally home to Cork.

I was privileged to be granted permission by Qantas to interview the Cabin Service Managers on both the Melbourne to Singapore, and Singapore to London legs of the journey about their respective responsibilities and duties on board. That story again I will share with you next week.

I arrived in Cork after a marathon flight of approx thirty hours, including stopovers, and travelling half way round the world for the 49th time since 1986.

On arrival, I was booked into the Imperial Hotel in the South Mall, my home away from home when in Cork.

The General Manager there is Joe Kennedy - a man with no pretensions, who is most conscious of good service and making everyone who walks in the door feel like they are at home.

What more would you want? Oh yes, there is more, talk to Tim the Concierge and you won't find a more knowledgeable or obliging person on this planet. Tell him I sent you, but don't ask him what I have been up to!

After booking in and dropping my bags I headed for the Bon Secure Hospital where Pat Falvey was having a complete check over for his forthcoming adventure to the North Pole in January 2012.

When you have climbed the seven tallest mountains in the world twice, and have been to the South Pole, what else would you expect when in hospital?

Only to be holding court bedside with everyone within earshot and that included the curious nurses of course.

As Pat was in hospital for four days, I had reason to visit him and observe the great adventurer away from his normal habitat.

I met with Pat Talbot the man who will be directing "Eureka the Pat Falvey Story".

Pat Talbot is a no nonsense man who doesn't mince his words.

He is a man with enormous experience in live theatre who sits comfortably with the best of the best.

He has just finished his ten-year tenure at the Everyman Theatre.

The Everyman under Pat's command was a leading light in the arts.

I do hope to get the opportunity to work with this wonderful talented man in the future as I have so much to learn and who better to learn from but the best.

Speaking of the best my chauffeur and guide for most of my stay was Charlotte O'Byrne who is to produce the Eureka play.

I'm sure a lot of you will remember Charlotte - she spent ten years in New York some years back.

I can assure you if you met Charlotte you would never forget her - just ask Paddy Mac or Eamonn down at Eamonn's on 45th Street who, by the way, she asked me to say hello to.

Charlotte has been associated with the theatre since her grandmother put her on the stage at the ripe old age of four.

She has since blossomed into a very creditable and recognised producer.

On one of my nights out, I had an evening with Joe Mac the funny man of the Dixies and nothing changes for some people.

Joe is still rocking them in the aisles and making them laugh as if time stood still.

I met up with one of my favourite, and one of Ireland's finest, musicians Brian O'Reilly in Charlie's music venue where Charlotte, Pat Falvey, Joe O Leary and I were treated to a magic night of music.

Brian has been the front man of The Loudest Whisper from inception.

A multi-talent, who ticks all the boxes when it comes to music; be it singing Buddy Holly ballads/Benny kings blues/Elvis's rock, there is nothing that Brian can't do that sounds any less than brilliant.

When it comes to producing in his own Fiona studio in Fermoy, he is a master.

The likes of Donovan of Catch The Wind and Colours fame along with Michael Flatley of Riverdance fame are regular drop-ins.

Brian is also a gifted playwright having written the musicals The Children of Lir and Buskin.

On my walk around Cork, I called in to see my old friend Brian O Donnell at the iconic Hi B Bar in Oliver Plunkett Street and I am sad to say Brian is not experiencing good health at this moment.

Some years ago, I interviewed Brian for this paper and found him to be one of the most interesting and engaging subjects I have written about.

Brian was never short of a quote or verse and he is one hell of a character. Get well soon Brian as everyone misses you.

A buddy from my younger days, Eugene Buckley, was on my call list.

Eugene was the man who brought the Carnaby Street fashion to Ireland in the sixties.

We go back to the good old days in Gurranabraher where we played cowboys every afternoon after school.

Eugene was always the Captain of the Cavalry and I was his Sergeant.

Nothing has changed since then I always call to see my old friend for a catch up pint and reminisce of those times of innocence when we had guns that didn't fire bullets.

I had a chance meeting with the Taoiseach Enda Kenny outside the Imperial Hotel and he is a typical politician, a cold hand shake with an insincere smile and that says it all.

I also had a chance meeting with our new president Michael D Higgins who on the other hand has a permanent smile, be it that of a Leprechaun.

Cork can be beautiful in Autumn for a stroll and a pub-crawl and what better place to drop into than Pa Johnson where all the musos hang out, you never know who might drop in.

You will always find someone of fame having a pint at Pa's.

Barry is a delightful host with no shortage of conversation, unless Glasgow Celtic are playing, Celtic being Barry's favourite team.

I was honoured earlier this year by being inducted into the Inheritance Honouring the Cork Legacy (Cork's Hall of Fame) based in the National Trust building in Fota.

Kevin Sanquest, the man who published the first Irish pop magazine Spotlight, organised a trip to Fota for Charlotte and I for a photoshoot to promote the Inheritance Honouring the Cork Legacy, which many of Cork's successful people at home and abroad are honoured for their contribution to spreading the name of Cork worldwide.

No doubt, there are some more names to me added to this prestigious list and I wonder if you are one?

If so, you should contact: lottieob@gmail.com.

On Pat Falvey's release from hospital he invited me down to his hideaway, The Mountain Lodge nestled in the Kerry Mountains, just a stone throw from Kate Kearney's Cottage? Not far outside Killarney.

After wandering the rain-swept streets of Killarney on Saturday, Pat, myself and his friends Mick and Mags took off to my favourite restaurant in Ireland - Finnegan's in Denny Street in Tralee, only to be spoiled with the best of company and good food.

If ever the words excellent service and good food are mentioned, they must to be associated with Eileen Nolan and her wonderful warm fire restaurant.

Don't ever tell me you have been to Ireland and haven't eaten at Finnegan's, for if so you have missed something special!

Pat and I dined at Kate Kearney's Cottage on Sunday night on a feast of bacon and cabbage washed down by a few drops of Guinness. What else would you expect?

Pat and I then travelled to Dublin for some business meetings only to be greeted by the biggest downpour since Noah built the Arc and, oh my God, I thought I would be rowing my way back to Australia.

Returning to Cork after my four days with one of the world's most successful adventurers and my notes under my arm on his adventures for my next article, I was just catching my breath and looking forward to a quiet few days before leaving for my long flight home.

I was confronted with Cork gone wild: The Jazz Festival had hit town and in no small way, I might say.

At night, the bars and streets were a reminder of what it would be like if everyone in Ireland had won the lotto in the same week. It was hectic. No place for the faint hearted.

If Ireland is going through tough times, the Cork Festival showed that they haven't lost their appetite for a good time.

Then in the midst of the bedlam I heard that the Qantas fleet is grounded and there is no going home for me at least not for another few days anyway until the fleet take to the air again.

I can think of worst things than being left stranded in Cork in the midst of a jazz festival.

However all's well that ends well and finally I catch the Qantas A380 Airbus back to Australia for some well earned rest after my hectic jaunt around the world and Ireland.

I wish to thank all who made this one of the most pleasant trips I have had back home. Until I talk to you again soon, be good to those who love you and Slainte from Downunder.

You can catch me on mike@globefins.com.au