Since Katherine- that’s my General Hospital role- is in a coma, I took the opportunity to tour Ireland. Actually, the trip came up suddenly when friends invited my husband and I to tag along on one of their frequent visits. They’re partners in a race horse and have entertained us with stories about the Irish Derby and the Grand Nationals. So we dropped everything and hopped a flight to London, which took forever, then on to Dublin.
I hadn’t been on such an endless flight since my trip to Australia! As I checked into the hotel in Dublin, I noticed Mel Gibson beside me, also checking in. I could see the British tabloids: “Soap Opera floozy checks into hotel with movie star!” He was shooting a movie nearby, titled “Braveheart”. I can’t wait to see it! The next day we drove west and spent the night in a big country house on the water in Donegal. It was so beautiful. It had been raining since we arrived and my first shopping spree was for rain hats. I especially enjoyed jogging through the misty morning rain and strolling along the coastal cliffs. Michael and I went fly-fishing with a local fisherman. I caught a herring. “Herring” is my maternal family name, so it was apt.
A few days later we moved to a modern resort and gorged ourselves. They had an indoor swimming pool, so we got in some exercise. Then we toured the countryside, passing many vine covered stone ruins of monasteries dating back centuries. We passed white washed cottages with thatched roofs where many farm families still live. We followed the Shannon River as it wound through the hill country, passing lake after lake as it flowed and cascaded past ancient castles. My favorite was Ballynahinch castle, built in the 1300’s, but since remodeled. It was night and the castle was so quiet. We also stopped in small villages. I found some wonderful tweeds and linens and heavy knitted sweaters.
They have no soap operas in Ireland and no soap fans. But they DO have sports fans! Now you know what Katherine is really dreaming about in her coma! Not Damian, not Ned, not even Lois- she’s escaped from Port Charles and is remembering the lush countryside of the Emerald Isle. Ah, take me home again, Katherine!
Jan 25/1995, Australia/TV SOAP Magazine
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