GUEST COLUMN
By Joe Lee
My wife of 31 years, Leslie, was stunned when I arrived home after a parish event over a year ago and said, “Let’s go to Ireland.”
I was referring to the Tom and Gerry Show, the annual excursion across the Atlantic Ocean to Father Gerry Hurley and Father Tommy Conway’s native land. The journey to the beloved Emerald Isle, some 4,000 miles away, would have us away from home ten days.
“Mike and Dianne are definite,” I added, referring to close friends Mike and Dianne Barrett, fellow parishioners at St. Francis of Assisi in Madison. “That’ll add value to the trip.”
Leslie, once she picked herself up off the floor, was excited but skeptical. She’d urged me to travel with her while we’re still in good health, but she knew from being married to a workaholic who loves what he does that domestic spots like Yellowstone or Niagara Falls would be a tough sell.
Full disclosure: I detest flying and hadn’t been on a plane since 1996. After the hour-long flight to Atlanta (and a lengthy airport layover), we would be in the air a whopping seven-plus hours. I was assured I would sleep during the overnight flight to Dublin.
Right.

Irish musician Adrian Cashin accompanies Father Gerry Hurley in a singalong at Malzards, an authentic Irish pub in Co. Kilkenny, as coach driver Tom Tynan looks on. Inset: Visitors eager to kiss the Blarney Stone enter the centuries-old structure and begin the long climb to the top. (Photos by Barrett Photography)

I was a zombie as I staggered into the sunshine and tugged along my suitcases. But it turned out to be an unforgettable trip full of fantastic sights, good food, and fun times with Mike and Dianne. Also with us was Allison Hoggatt, a close friend from St. Paul in Flowood – we met a whole bunch of nice people from St. Paul.
Quick observations: The Cliffs of Moher, which provide a spectacular view of the Atlantic, was a breathtaking example of God’s creation.
I fought claustrophobia and successfully climbed the interior of Blarney Castle in Cork to kiss the Blarney Stone.
I’ll never forget Father Hurley celebrating Sunday Mass in the bar of the Savoy Hotel in Limerick.
We visited Malzards, an authentic Irish pub, for a tall glass of Guinness. While there we tried to learn hurling (Ireland’s national pastime and a game similar to field hockey and lacrosse) and enjoyed a performance from retired tailor and professional musician Adrian Cashin, who led us in singalongs of standards such as “Yellow Submarine” and “Danny Boy.”
Ireland has lots of beautiful countryside with mountains in the distance that made the lengthy coach rides enjoyable. The widespread use of stone in the architecture is striking. So are the bright colors in the designs of both the homes and businesses in Cork, Kilkenny, Limerick, and Kinsale, the little fishing village where we stayed first.
That was where I ruled out a morning jog on the narrow sidewalk when I realized the Irish drive on the left side of the street.
It was great to get better acquainted with Father Hurley, the St. Paul pastor who’d just celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Father Conway, the pastor at St. Fabian in Hattiesburg.
“The Tom and Gerry show started about 15 years ago,” Father Conway said. “Father Gerry had never done a full tour of his own, but he would have six or eight people on mine. He branched out this year and labeled it the Golden Jubilee tour, inviting me along for the ride.”

Father Conway hails from County Galway, while Father Hurley was raised outside County Cork. The priests have been friends since 1986 when Father Conway first came to Mississippi.
“I think the people form a bond before they ever leave Mississippi,” Father Conway added. But the ‘Craic’ (loosely translated, a fun time) in Ireland really helps. Spending extra time and savoring the places we visit helps.”
Adding crucial narration was coach driver Tom Tynan, an entertaining Irishman from County Kilkenny who must be familiar with every square inch of the country. He and Father Conway met 33 years ago when the pastor brought his first tour to Ireland.
“I think one of the highlights is that many making the trip have some kind of Irish heritage,” Father Hurley said. “So many have grown up with Irish priests. Based on the stories and witness, they have longed to see the Emerald Isle.
“This year, Father Tommy prevailed on me to organize a trip with a focus of people from the St. Paul area. He was key to planning and organization, as he and Tom Tynan had just finished a tour before ours began. That impacted our choices, such as having Mass in a bar as opposed to Father Tommy’s church.”

Our tour guides were great, and I can’t recommend the Tom and Gerry Show enough. Yes, the airplane seats were as comfortable as cement blocks, and the less said about the airplane food, the better – I won’t eat “mushy peas” at a five-star restaurant, let alone microwaved at 38,000 feet.
But if I, as someone who thinks driving to Tupelo or Meridian counts as a vacation, can handle being away from routine and business for ten days, you certainly can.
Go while you’re still able to do so.

(Joe Lee is the Editor-in-Chief of Dogwood Press, and member of St. Francis of Assisi, Madison.)