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Confirmation Day in Moville

Posted Sunday, February 7, 2010

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Confirmation Day

It always seems to be good weather for confirmations and first communions in Moville and the weather didn't let us down today.

There were 64 confirmed, I'm told, in a nice little ceremony at the church.

Afterwards it was down to St. Eugene's Hall for a cup of tea and a chance to meet the bishop who confirmed them all.

Meal Out

It is tradition now to have a 'do' afterwards whether at home or out at a restaurant.

Having the confirmations on a Sunday now at the Sunday mass means that one has to look further and further afield to book seats at a restaurant - as Sunday is normally the restaurants' busiest day anyway.

Mu nephew was getting confirmed and the nearest place where we could get a booking was at Mary Deeney's down the Derry Road.

There were over 30 of us and that's a little difficult to accommodate especially when many of the relatives of the 64 were looking for table space also.

First Time

I'd never been there before.

I didn't know what it would be like.

If you asked me to guess what I'd think it would be like from just the name I would have thought it would be a nice home-cooking place but not exactly haute cuisine.

I also expected it to be a bit basic.

But not a bit of it.

Olde Worlde

I was told that the place was not too old but it was built to look olde worlde and whoever did it has succeeded.

It was good solid wood tables and high ceilings and an upstairs as well as a downstairs with the upstairs overlooking the downstairs.

There was a good choice of food, the staff were friendly and helpful and there was a good relaxed atmosphere about it.

Spacious

It wasn't cramped either and there was plenty of room at the tables.

Sometimes when you book a big table they cram you in so that your elbows are knocking against the person next to you and you can't relax.

That wasn't the case here.

Good Craic

It's one of those places where you can have a nice meal and then linger on having a few drinks and enjoying the conversation and the craic.

I've been to a couple of Medieval Banquets in a castle in North Wales and at a 'castle' in Spain which was built for the set of the movie El Cid, and I thought that Mary Deeney's would be an excellent place to have one.

It looks the part.

Minstrel

I can just see a minstrel playing there and maybe a jester too.

I suggested this to the owner and he seemed to think that was a good idea (although you can never tell if they are just humouring a customer).

I remember the ones that I went to it was chicken and roast pork and you had to wash it down with Mead - an alcoholic drink made from honey.

Royalty

There was a King and Queen for the night who presumably paid more.

It might be a good thing to do for the night after a wedding when the young couple married could be King and Queen for the night - or to celebrate an engagement or jubilee.

It would also be a good for a company night out with the boss as the King or Queen.

It would fantastic if they had a Medieval Banquet there.

I think it could be a big success if they did and it would certainly get publicity.

Great Place

I know quite a few of our crowd would go if there was one.

But even if they don't we thoroughly enjoyed our meal out there and I'll definitely be back.

It's my own son's Confirmation next year but I think I'll keep Mary Deeney's our little secret.