How I almost became a farmer’s daughter/wife in Killarney
When I was planning on where to go with my parents in Ireland I asked a few people for advice. One thing came up regularly; Killarney is beautiful- but watch out for the farmers.
Sounds pretty weird doesn’t it?
One woman in particular explained that Killarney is primarily a farming area, and farmers commonly come into town to find wives. I joked that hey, maybe being picked up by a cute Irish guy wasn’t such a bad thing but she just shook her head telling me “I don’t think so.” Turns out she didn’t mean life on a farm, but rather the types of farmers that would ask.
We did end up going to Killarney, an absolutely beautiful part of Ireland, but since I was with both of my parents I figured I was pretty safe. However, I underestimated the forwardness of these Irish farmers.
I was walking with my mom in town, checking out the shops when we were approached. Dad was only a little ahead of us, but far enough to make it look like we weren’t together.
“Are you enjoying Ireland?” A rough voice suddenly asked as a weathered, middle aged man appeared by our sides.
We chatted for a bit before he came right out and asked my mom “Where’s your husband?”
I stifled a laugh as I remembered the warning, but mom just pointed ahead and said “up there.”
I figured that was the end of it, but boy was I wrong.
Wasting no time what-so-ever, the man looked me up and down before asking me the same question.
Shocked I blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “I’m not married!”
His response? “Why not?” and not in the joking kind of way, more like the ‘is there something wrong with you’ kind of way.
Looking him in the eye I told him I was too young. But he still kept pressing, asking me how old I was.
I told him I was 22, at least 30 years younger than him, but even then it took a couple minutes for him to determine that I really was too young for him. Wasting no more time on us ineligible ladies he quickly bid us a good day and left as quickly as he came.
So for any single ladies headed to Killarney I will pass on the warning: Watch out for the farmers!
Haha! Well that I did not know! Who would’ve thought that farmers are the ones to watch out for. What an abrasive man, that one!
He sure was forward!
You have to love it when you completely miss someone else’s attempt to cut off some unwanted attention! I feel like travel is full of those situations, since you tend to encounter them much more often on the road than at home. I’ll be sure to pass on this valuable information to any single friends passing through Kilarney.
It’s so true- there’s always at least one story like that while on the road! Make for goof things to laugh about later though.
That is a funny story! I guess that man was pretty determined to find a mate, whether it be your mom or you! I didn’t know that about Kilarney! Conversely…to any single ladies who might be looking for a farmer, maybe they should head to Kilarney! 😉
That’s what I tell my single friends 😉
That is a funny story! I guess I probably would have laughed at him, I can’t believe how forward he was! And with your mum there… oh my goodness. I probably would have thought it was an Irish joke… still, a funny story!
Mom and I basically died laughing as soon as he walked away! It was hilarious
The Irish are a little different aren’t they 🙂 And throw in an Irish farmer and you can have a real hard time handling them as you found here! But I am sure it was a worthwhile experience for you. Plus you were able to experience the beauty that Killarney has to offer 🙂
Haha yes it was definitely different. But I have to say, forward farmers or not, the Irish are some of my favourite people and I love Killarney!