What’s Your Wife’s Name Mr.Drennan ?

Chapter One

Cormac Seamus Aloysius Drennan had been married to Mrs. D fifty two years and they were happy years. Mrs.D had given her husband three beautiful daughters and one fine young son. They had grown up a happy close family in Kinsale. Mr.Drennan and his Misses, as he always called her, along with Mammy in front of the children and when she was nowhere in earshot, he called her his Old Woman.

When Cormac met Kat Prendergast at school they were in the same year and class at the new school Naomh Padraig. The moment fifteen year old Cormac laid eyes on young Kat Prendergast he knew that he was in love and would fight any boy who came near her. When he was sixteen Cormac asked Kat’s father for his blessing to marry his eldest daughter. Mr. Prendergast tried to hide a smile as he said to this young man

“You have my blessings young man and I know that Mrs. Prendergast will also give her blessing.”

That night down the pub there were many laughs at the expense of Young Cormac Drennan. Benny Prendergast took a sip of his pint and told his friends

“I said yes but I know that it’s never going to last. I’m sure that this time next year he’ll be asking another poor father for his blessing.”

When Cormac was at school he was there every day and he studied as hard as he could. Cormac wasn’t a happy academic pupil but he knew that he had to be there so he made the best of it. Cormac Drennan excelled at sport and Handy Craft. At the age of fifteen he built his own chest of drawers for his bedroom and the school paid for most of it. It was understood that pupils had to make some kind of donation to the School Fund if they wanted to take their handicraft home with them. It was Mr. Doogan the woodwork and metal teacher who taught, a very keen young Cormac Drennan how to lay bricks and to build a shed. The shed he couldn’t take home with him but the school did get a new much needed outside storage facility for their excess coal and wood.

When Cormac left Naomh Padraig School proudly holding his leaving certificate, he knew that he could do anything he set his mind to. He started his first job, five days after he walked out of those School gates for the last time.

His father Donal managed to get him an interview at Kinsale Yacht Club. There was a boat maintenance workshop there, that was always kept very busy and they needed a good, strong and reliable apprentice. The School had written Cormac a very good reference and Donal Drennan’s son seemed like an ideal candidate for the job.

The work was hard and it meant an early start in the summer mornings and a slightly longer work day in the winter months. The winter time was when most of the private owners wanted to have their boats serviced to be ready for the Summer Boating season. Every job was a rush job but in reality every job was treated exactly the same. The customers just needed to feel important and a satisfied customer always gave a smiling boat builder a couple of drinks for his trouble.

 The Works Forman was Big Jack Kelly but most of his friends called him John Joe, Cormac called him Mr. Kelly. John Joe’s hands were like shovels and his arms were as big tree trunks. He smiled a lot and only ever really ever got angry at himself because if something went wrong at the yard then he would always take full responsibility.His philosophy was that if the yard wasn’t running properly then it was his fault because, he was the gaffer. Big Jack fired people but only those who were not pulling their weight if you worked hard then you stayed working there and you got well paid.

Cormac worked at the yard four days a week and one day on a Day Release at CIT in Cork. This meant that on that day, Cormac and Kat could get the bus together. Kat was studying at CIT in Cork to get her Third Level qualifications. She was doing a business and secretarial course and that was going to take two long hard working years.  

This was before they were married and these short bus journey’s meant that the couple could just talk and enjoy each other’s company. They were on the bus together every Wednesday for forty minutes and they always got to Pier Road thirty minutes before bus departure to give themselves more time to talk. Neither Cormac nor Kat could say who feel in love first but fell in love they did and they never stopped loving one another.

Cormac’s apprenticeship lasted three years and Kat’s course only two. This meant that Kat started to earn a proper wage a whole year before Cormac. At the end of her course Kat got a job at The Estate Agents Sheehy Brothers in Market Street. Kat was the receptionist, secretary and in this modern day Ireland she was even allowed, when the need arose, to show clients around some properties. She didn’t get a commission if the property was sold but now and again she would get the odd box of chocolates.

The post of selling property was a man’s job and answering the phones or typing letters was women’s work. The Sheehy family knew the Drennan family and the younger Mr. Sheehy didn’t want any trouble with young Cormac Drennan. This meant that everything that went on in the office was always strictly business between employer and employee. There was no flirting, after work drinks or inappropriate language.

 Kat had been working there almost a year before young Cormac’s apprenticeship was finished at CIT. He had been taught carpentry, basic electrics, and bricklaying along with welding. Cormac had studied at the college as well as carrying out all his practical training in the workshop. It was always, in those days, the expectation and expectation that once an apprentice was finished his apprenticeship he would leave the company. There were many yards that needed a highly trained young man to start at the bottom to work his way up. There was also the matter of training up new blood for the industry not to mention not having to pay a young man a decent wage. These were hard times and everyone was trying to save money.

Cormac was called into Big Jacks tiny office to discuss his future and to his joy and surprise Big Jack offered him a fulltime job at a decent wage. He also said to Cormac

“It’s about time that you started calling me John Joe”  

Chapter Two

Cormac and Kat were now both working fulltime and he knew from the first time that he saw Kat that he wanted to marry her. They were both just school children but Cormac knew even then that he would never want to go out with anyone but Kat Prendergast. Cormac proposed to Kat the same day as John Joe offered him a the job and Kat smiled and screamed

“Yes, Yes , Yes “

They were married two years later. The plan was to get married as soon as possible but Benny Prendergast upon realising that young Cormac Drennan actually did want to marry his daughter, retracted his blessing. He had higher plans for his daughter; she had an education and could marry a rich man. A boat builder with the name Drennan who worked in a Boatyard was never going to amount to much. Kat’s mother Mary Prendergast was also opposed to the wedding and she tried to forbid her daughter to ever see Cormac again. This motherly edict was ignored by both Kat and Cormac. They continued to see each other but Cormac was banned from the Prendergast house and his name was never to be mentioned in the house again. In fact the entire Drennan family was to be avoided and ostracised. 

The couple had to wait until Kat’s eighteenth birthday before they could be legally married without parental consent or blessing. They married three days after Kat’s birthday at the registry office in Cork. They asked the secretary and the receptionist to be their witnesses. Cormac was nervous and excited and he hardly heard a word the registrar said. He just pulled himself together enough to hear the words

“Will you take?”

He said

“Yes”

This was before the registrar had finished asking the question. The man just smiled and nodded. This was actually the first time Cormac had his Kat’s full name. When the ceremony was finished Cormac and Kat took the bus back to Kinsale to face their parents.

Cormac wasn’t scared of his new father in law. Benny Prendergast wasn’t a big man and he certainly wasn’t a match for the fine strapping young man Cormac had grown into. He would simply go up to The Prendergast’s front door and announce to them that their daughter was now his wife and there was nothing they could do about it.

Kat was eighteen and had every right to get married, this wasn’t the Old Ireland Mr. Prendergast had grown up in. This was a modern country with new modern ideas. Cormac had even seen some young men in the town with long hair. This was a country ready to embrace the new challenges of the 1970’s. The Yanks had even put a man on the moon and now it was time for Ireland’s young people to stand up for what they believed in.  He and Kat were now married in the eyes of the law and that was an end to it.

They got off the bus and Kat didn’t want to face her parents. She didn’t regret marrying Cormac but she was scared of her Mammy and Da’s reaction. Kat had never gone against their will before. So she and Cormac called in at The Drennan house first to give Cormac’s parents the good unexpected news. After the initial shock Mammy and Da Drennan were delighted. Cormac’s mammy wanted Da to drive her over to The Prendergast’s to congratulate them Mammy Drennan had always liked Kat and it wasn’t very often that Brigitte Drennan had an excuse to go over and talk to Mary Prendergast.  But everybody else thought it might be best to wait until Kat gave her mother the news and the dust had settled a little 

Mary always thought that she was better than most of the other people who lived in Kinsale. This was because her grandfather was for a short time the last Lieutenant Governor of Kinsale. She married Benny Prendergast because he worked in the bank as a trainee manager and he now was the manager as she predicted.  Brian Drennan worked on the boats and as far as Mary Prendergast was concerned he had the look of a man that did physical labour.

 Mary and Benny Prendergast had no objection to Cormac and Kat walking out together until a better suitor could be found but marriage was out of the question. Kat now, had to go to her parent’s house with Cormac to tell them that she was now Mrs. Drennan. This was not going to be a pleasant message to bring. Both she and Cormac knocked on the front door and Mary Prendergast opened it

“Hello Cormac and hello Kat. What do we owe to the pleasure of your unwanted company Cormac Drennan?”

Kat told her mother how they had spent their day and what they had been doing. Mary Prendergast flew into a rage and ordered Cormac out of her house

“Leave this house young man and you may never come here again. Kat you go to your room and I’ll just phone your Da. He will be in a foul mood when he gets home. You had better watch yourself young man. He’ll be after you”

Cormac turned around and opened the front door. As he did so he put out his hand for his wife to take his   Kat reached out and took her husband Cormac’s hand. Her mother raised her hand just above her head and said.

“Don’t you dare young lady I give you a good trashing and your father will give you a hiding, when he catches up with you young man. You’re in for a good walloping”

Cormac grasped Kat’s hand tightly and said

“If you want to talk to us, then we’ll be staying at my Da’s house temporarily nobody is going to chastise my wife, from now on but me. That’s my job I’m her husband”

Kat let go for a moment and then punched Cormac on the arm. He laughed and said

“Come on Missus Let’s go”

The next few days were lively. Mary Prendergast phoned the police and the Bishops office. A priest and a policeman turned up at the Drennan residence. There had been no laws broken and no sins committed. The Garda Síochána and The Holy Roman Church could not change this situation the happy couple were both over the legal age of consent and they were married in the Eyes of The republic of Ireland.

It took a while for the couple to consummate their marriage because Young Kat didn’t feel comfortable sleeping at the Drennan house. It was a small house and every sound could be heard and Mary didn’t want her new in-laws or anybody else for that matter, to know what went on behind a closed door. The couple slept in Cormac’s old room and every morning there was always a gentle tussle for the bathroom between the two Mrs. Drennans. If the Drennan men had problem then, there was always the back garden

Chapter Three

This was not an ideal life for the young couple they couldn’t live with Brigitte and Donal Drennan forever they needed their own home. This proved to be a challenge to start with because Kat and Cormac had very little money and a Bank loan didn’t seem viable Cormac started to take on some extra work at the weekends and Kat took a part-time job at Quinnsworth.  It took them a few months but they eventually saved up enough money to get their own place. Brigitte and Donal Drennan refused to take any money from the young couple. Donal told Cormac that it was a Wedding present.

Mr. and Mrs. Drennan moved proudly into their new home in Ballynacubby on their half year anniversary. It was a small cottage with a little garden front and back and it was a good place to build a future. Mary and Benny Prendergast had not spoken to their daughter since the episode with the police and The Local clergy. Mary Prendergast had written a letter to the bishop explaining that her daughter had not been married in a church. So in the eyes of God she was not truly married and should not therefore be allowed to take Holy Communion. It was clearly stated in Mary Prendergast’s letter to the bishop that people who were living in Sin should not be encouraged or welcome in her local church.

The diocese Bishop His Lordship Cornelius Lucey was a gentle man was spoke often on Irish social issues and he was well aware that not everyone in Ireland got married in a church today. But his hands were tied by Catholic doctrine and The Holy Roman Church. His Lordship felt forced to intervene, he phoned St John the Baptist Church personally and wrote to the church using official Diocese stationary stating that unless Mr. Cormac Drennan and his girlfriend Miss Mary and Benjamin Prendergast were officially married in a catholic Church by a Catholic priest, following the reading of The Bands then they were no longer members of the Congregation of St John the Baptist Church. This didn’t mean that Cormac and Mary could not go to church, because even in Ireland the church was a public building. This did mean however that they could not take The Holy Communion or be physically engaged at any Church service in Kinsale.

This ban greatly upset Kat and it annoyed Cormac. He told his wife and family that on Sunday he was going to walk up to the alter and dare the priest to refuse him.  It was lucky for Young Cormac that his father Donal had a wiser head on his shoulders. He explained to Cormac that the priest wouldn’t refuse to give him Communion but there were those in the town that would be happy to punish sinners in a way that would never think to sin again. The couple accepted the Bishops unknown to them, reluctant decision. They stopped going to church on Sundays and the couple just enjoyed some extra time together. There were occasions when Cormac worked a few odd jobs on Sunday’s to help pay the rent. But when he was free they just enjoyed being a young married couple

It was six months after the couple had moved into the house that Young Kat was finally able to give up working at Quinnsworth. Cormac Drennan was happy to come home to cooked meal and Kat was happy being able to cook in her own kitchen. Things were starting to look great for the happy young couple. They had two wages coming in and they still had most of their friends. Brigitte and Donal Drennan had been great and they had helped them out whenever they were asked. Kat’s parents were still not talking to her but she knew that even her mother would come around in the end and she could always wrap her Da around her little finger.

Kat missed The Church, she missed going to the service on a Sunday and there was sadness in her because the last time that they had attended church in Kinsale the local priest had refused to give her Communion. He just ignored her and carried on giving Communion to the next parishioner. So one day during her lunch break Kat decided to ring the Presbytery and ask to speak Father Walter. He had known Kat since she was born. It was Father Walter who had baptised her. He was a man Kat knew that she could trust and he would help if he could.

Kat wanted to phone the church first to find out if she and Cormac could be allowed back into the church as part of the congregation. Kat felt uncomfortable just turning up at The Presbytery without notice or an appointment because she was nervous that the Fathers might just turn her away. The phone rang and an unfamiliar voice answered. The man on the other end of the line was a soon to be fully ordained young Reverend called Barnabas Buckley. All the regular priests were away in Galway on a retreat and as he was the new boy he had to stay behind and man the phones and if necessary give the last rites. He answered the phone efficiently.

“Hello this is St John the Baptist Church in Kinsale, County Cork. I am Reverend Barnabas Buckley how can I help you?”

Kat was a little taken aback by the Barnabas Buckley’s short monologue but she stuttered out an answer

“Hello Reverend Buckley. My name is Kat Drennan and I’m married to a man but not really married”

Barnabas Buckley answered Kat. He was a little confused but at the same time intrigued.

“It’s a riddle! Yes? You’re a woman married but not really married? I know! You’re a nun. You’re one of The Sisters from St Joseph’s. Now what can I do for you Sister?  I can do most things but I am new here, so you might have to bear with me if I have to get back to you”

Kat wasn’t sure how to react Reverend Barnabas Buckley sounded very nice but he didn’t sound very sane. She answered the young Reverend and tried to explain to him her dilemma again.

“No Reverend Buckley, if that’s who you really are. I’m not a nun I’m a parishioner seeking pastoral counseling, empathy and help.”

Reverend Buckley didn’t appreciate being rebuked by a woman. This might be a modern country but a woman should show respect to a man, especially a transitional Reverend like himself. He raised his tone a little as he tried to defend himself against this unprovoked attack

“You listen to me, I assume from your voice, young lady I am who I say I am and I don’t know who you are and I am a very busy man. Do you want my help or not?”

Kat told Reverend Barnabas her whole story. He was new to the area so he had heard nothing of the Drennan and Prendergast saga. As Kat spoke about her marriage and the hostility from her parents and her local church she began to break down over the telephone. Reverend Buckley could clearly hear the distress in Kat’s voice and he suggested that they should meet up, all three of them to try and work out a solution. Kat took a deep breath and agreed. Barnabas Buckley looked quickly up at the calendar stuck to the wall by the telephone. It was empty the priests had cancelled everything until they got back on Saturday morning. Reverend Buckley then suggested to Kat

“How about if I come over and see the both of you tomorrow at five O’clock. Will that be ok? I am sure that we can sort all this out, if we just put our heads together. Give me your address please Kat”

Kat reeled out her address and they agreed on a time Barnabas Buckley also agreed not to come visiting dressed like a priest. Kat liked her privacy and although they didn’t have any close neighbours a visiting priest would always use to raise eyebrows.

Chapter Four

When Kat and Cormac had finished eating that evening she told Cormac about the visit. At first Cormac wasn’t very happy about receiving a visit from The Clergy, back in the Drennan house the priest never came visiting. There was never a need as they always went to church and as yet 

“Thank the Lord”

Cormac made The Sign of The Cross

“Nobody has died”

Kat told Cormac how she felt and that she missed going to church and receiving Communion. Cormac nodded, pretended to understand and agreed to the talk with Reverend Barnabas for Kat’s sake. Cormac could never say no to Kat and he could never imagine a time when he would. The next day late in the afternoon Kat managed to persuade Mr. Sheehy to let her go home early and reluctantly she had to tell him why. Mr. Sheehy just smiled and told her not to worry about or the priest everything would work out fine in the end. Kat’s first stop was to bakers to buy a big newly baked apple pie. The girl behind the counter, as per Kat’s instructions, wrapped the pie carefully in brown paper and then into a box. Kat took the pie home, she took an egg from the fridge, beat it thoroughly with a spoon. Kat then basted the top of the pie with the egg. She then carefully sprinkled the pie evenly with caster sugar and put it in the oven on a low heat

Kat then ran up the stairs to get changed. When Kat was completely satisfied that she looked good but not too desirable she came down the stairs again to the kitchen to make some tea and to check on the apple pie. The back door opened and there stood a grubby looking Cormac Drennan. Kat kissed him on the cheek and said, softly

“Hello Cormac I’m glad that you’re home in time. Now go upstairs and get cleaned up and changed. There’s a good lad”

Cormac then gave his wife the same face that he used on his mother when he wanted to stay up late to see a film as he said.

“Oh Missus can’t I just sit down and relax for a while and Reverend Buckley can just take us as he finds us. He’s not the Pope”

Kat gave Cormac her Icy stare. It was the kind of stare that would make any wild beast run away and hide. She took her index finger and just pointed up at the ceiling. Cormac took off his boots he threw them into the cupboard under the stairs and then went upstairs to the bathroom. Kat found their best crockery and laid the small coffee table in readiness for their guest. The apple pie didn’t take very long to re-bake the sugar had melted and then hardened again to make a caramel crust Kat took the pie out and rested it down onto the board she had already put on the kitchen table. The doorbell rang and Cormac screamed from the bathroom

“Oh Bollocks, he’s early”

Kat opened the front door to a smiling Barnabas Buckley

“I hope I’m not too early “

He said as he handed Kat the parish newsletter and Kat answered him as she waved the young Reverend to come in

“No not at all, Cormac is just on his way down aren’t you Cormac?”

Cormac tried to sound calm and in control as he shouted down the stairs

“Yes I’ll be right there Father and you Mrs. D”

Kat showed Barnabas into the sitting room. The cups and plates were all neatly laid out and the room was filled with the faint smell of freshly baked apple pie.

“Sit yourself down. Reverend Barnabas Will you be having a piece of apple pie?”

A Catholic priest in Ireland never refuses alcohol or food. It didn’t look as though there was a whiskey on offer. So Reverend Barnabas poured himself a cup of tea and said yes to the apple pie. Kat ran out to the kitchen to get the pie. As she left the room Cormac came running down the stairs and as he did he banged his elbow on the newel at the bottom of the banister and screamed out

“Ow! Oh Bollocks that hurt”

This was followed by   

“I’m sorry reverend I forgot you were there”

A shame faced Cormac came into the sitting room and as he did Kat came in from the kitchen and gave Cormac a deadly stare. The young Reverend tried to lighten the atmosphere a little by saying.

“No, you’re ok; sure, I’ve heard worse language at the convent. Is that apple pie Kat? It looks grand. Did you make it yourself?

Kat paused for a moment. If she lied to a priest today of all days, then she would certainly be banished to hell, when the reaper came calling. So she replied

“Mr. Reverend Barnabas Buckley. Have you just not seen me come through my kitchen door with a plate too hot to handle without oven gloves? Can you not clearly smell the aroma of baked pastry? I thought that you were an educated man and you ask a lady of the house a question when the answer is so obvious.”

No lie was told, so no sin was committed Reverend Barnabas just gave Kat a very embarrassed smile, he then bowed his head and put his hands together. Kat put the pie on the table and then handed the young Reverend a knife to cut himself a piece of pie. He cut himself a very small portion and slid it over onto his plate. Kat scolded him by saying.

“Reverend Barnabas! You’re’ a grown man now cut yourself a decent portion. We won’t tell if you don’t”

Five minutes later a much calmer Cormac, Kat and Reverend Barnabas were sitting in silence having eaten some pie and drunk some tea. Barnabas Buckley felt that now it was his turn to speak.  

“Now My Children What can I do for you?”

An annoyed Cormac stopped the priest from talking

“For starters you can stop with that my children lark”

Kat kicked Cormac hard under the sofa table assuming that the young reverend wouldn’t notice. He did but he said nothing about it as he continued to speak.

“I’m sorry Mr. Drennan I meant no disrespect I’m still a bit new to this. I’m usually sitting quietly out of the way somewhere while the fully ordained priests do the talking. Kat told me most of your story over the phone. Now how can we at St John the Baptist Holy Church in Kinsale, County Cork, help you?”

Cormac being a wise young husband just kept quiet as Kat explained everything again and told the good young reverend that they both wanted to be married in the sight of God the reverend Barnabas glanced over at Cormac once or twice but when he did Cormac just pointed to and looked at Kat.

Reverend Barnabas Buckley remembered from his catechism days the lessons on the sanctity of marriage. There was only one true church and one true Sacrament of Marriage. If this couple were not married in a Catholic church then they were not truly married and should not be living together. But this was the twentieth century and the church should be able to move with the times. This was not a observation that he could share with the rest of the Presbytery. Reverend Barnabas told Cormac and Kat that he would do what he could but in the meantime they could not live together until they were officially man and wife in the eyes of The Catholic Church. Cormac was just about to let his feelings known when another sharp kick under the table narrowly and missed him. This was a man who knew his wife well and he moved his legs quickly to one side and said nothing.

Reverend Barnabas said his goodbyes and got up to leave. Kat saw him to the front door and asked him how long all this would take assuming the local priests and The Bishop agreed to let them get married in the local church. Barnabas smiled and said

“I think that we are a church that still doesn’t coax or enjoy controversy. So if you’re sure, then I will ask father Michael to read the Banns of marriage, this Sunday. The whole process could take up to three months but I imagine that you two are aiming to spend a life time together. You and Cormac will also have to come to Confession on Saturday to confess your sin and sins. I bid you Good day and God Bless all those who live in this house.”

Reverend Barnabas left the building and this gave Cormac and Kat a tough decision to make. Did they really want to live apart for three months just to come back and live in their own home?  Kat had already made up her mind the day she picked up the phone to ring The Presbytery. Cormac loved Kat and he would do anything to make her happy. 

He rang his parents and told them to expect him home the next day. His mother Brigitte Drennan immediately thought the worst and told her son to reconsider. There was nothing so bad that could not be fixed in an Irish marriage. Cormac quickly explained to his mother the reason for him wanting to stay and Brigitte broke down in tears of relief and joy.

Cormac moved back home the next day to his old room which hadn’t changed since the day he left. He even noticed that the bedclothes hadn’t been changed. Cormac was a married man now so the first thing he did was to strip the bed and ask his mother for some fresh sheets. A very annoyed and embarrassed Brigitte Drennan came up the stairs and opened the linen cupboard to fetch new sheets and blankets.

When the rest of the priests returned from their retreat the young inexperienced Reverend Barnabas told them about his conversation with The Drennan couple. In his mind everything was quite straightforward they were two lost lambs that wanted to come back to the Catholic Fold.

Father Michael and his fellow priests were not so excited about the prospect of contacting the Bishop or Mary Prendergast. This pair had been denied Communion on the orders of The Bishop after a lot of encouragement and threats from The Prendergast family. This family had made very large donations to the Church roof fund and they owned the lease to the Presbytery house due to an ancient land deal the Old bishop had made with Mrs. Prendergast’s grandfather.

Father Michael also reminded his brother priests that Kat Prendergast and Cormac Drennan had become a police matter at the time, thanks only to Mary and Benny Prendergast. Father Michael and the rest of Kinsale’s clergy had been besieged by a young reporter from The Evening Echo and they didn’t want to see him again.

This young reporter claimed in his article and subsequent articles that The Catholic Church was no longer relevant in today’s modern Ireland. The modern Irish Constitution ratified in 1937 guaranteed the right under article 40, 4   for every Irish citizen to have Liberty and Freedom. Cormac and Kat Drennan had the right to get married and under Irish law the right to get married wherever they chose to. The Catholic Church had no right or justification to exclude them from The Sacrament of Communion. They had broken no Irish laws and caused no civil offence. It was just the outdated views of a hieratical institution that tried illegally to compel this young couple to adhere to a two thousand year archaic doctrine. This reporter cornered a priest after almost every mass and he always got a swift and sharp

“No Comment”

In the end the Bishop had to swear out an exclusion order against the young reporter to stop him from pestering the priests and staff at The Presbytery. This made matters worse as The Evening Echo decided to make this small story into an Exposé concerning the abuse of power wielded by the Catholic Church in today’s modern Ireland and questions were raised in the Dáil concerning the plight of this young couple who were being bullied by and ostracised by The Local Catholic Church The Bishops palace and the Presbytery had no need for a follow up story claiming victory following a Catholic Church Climb-down     

It was out of the question. The fact was, that Kat and Cormac Drennan had left the local Catholic Church and they were not welcome back. They could always move to a big town like Cork where these things happened all the time but not here in Kinsale.

The young Reverend Barnabas was not pleased with his future brother’s reactions.  He quoted  Luke Chapter 15 verse 7

“I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent”

This quotation made the priests even more resolute as Father Michael scolded the young trainee priest.

“You insolent little Pup! How dare you question the wisdom of your elders and betters? We and his Excellency the Bishop know what’s best for this parish. You just keep your mouth shut and let us get on with Church business. You are not fully ordained yet and if you want to be a priest before your retirement age you will just do as you’re told.”

The young Reverend Barnabas was surprised and angered by Father Michael’s reaction. This was the first time he’d really spoken to the usually distant Father Michael and he had decided that didn’t like him. He answered his superior, calmly and resolute.

“In that case Father Michael I’ll never be a priest. You can write to the bishop tomorrow and tell him that I failed my final induction and when his office phones me I’ll send in a formal letter of resignation. But in the meantime I am Reverend Barnabas a young priest still in training and like The Good Sheppard I intend to help this young couple come back into the church’s fold.”  

There wasn’t much more conversation at the Presbytery that day. All the priests kept themselves to themselves and retired early to their rooms. The next day Barnabas went into the priests study and found every book and pamphlet he could on The Church marriage blessing and articles pertaining to exclusion and inclusion of parishioners to the Catholic Mass.

Chapter Five

Reverend Barnabas also started a log dedicated to Cormac and Kat. In this log he wrote down everything in regard to the pre-marriage interviews and couple counseling that Cormac and Kat would have to go through before they could be properly married in a Catholic Church. Reverend Barnabas then contacted Kat to arrange a first interview with the couple. Barnabas couldn’t legally marry the couple but he would be their liaison with the local church. When Barnabas had finished preparing the log and had made the first appointment with Kat and Cormac, he once again approached Father Michael at the Presbytery and informed him of all he had done so far. It was a very repentant Father Michael who put his hand on Barnabas’s shoulder and said

“Well done lad I do think that is it about time that we Old Dogs learnt some new tricks. But please, not a word to His Excellency or the other fathers. They’re a bunch of Stick in The Mud’s. Let’s try and save this young couple”

Kat and Cormac kept every appointment and attended church every Sunday or sometimes Saturday evening mass. They were still excluded from taking Communion but they queued up with everyone else to receive a blessing from the priest which was close enough for now.

Kat and Cormac were forced to live apart until the day after their wedding. Mary Prendergast still did not approve of the marriage but she realised now that her daughter would not to marry anyone else. Mary Prendergast just decided reluctantly to accept the inevitable, it probably was the will of God and nobody really understands his strange ways. It was hard for Kat and Cormac to live apart again but as Kat explained to Cormac on more than one occasion. If he wanted to lay beside her again then, a priest had to say

“I now pronounce you Man and Wife”

The local Catholic Church knew that they could trust the young couple to stay physically away from each other. Reverend Barnabas had set a curfew on late evening visits and the curtains always had to be drawn open when Cormac decided to visit Kat at their home. Kat decided to stay on at the house. It seemed like a waste of money to move out and then try to find a new home again and it was only for possibly three months. Even without the curfew breaking the terms of their agreement with the church would have been nearly impossible. This was still the sometimes technologically behind Ireland of the 1970’s. It was a country that had only had a national television service for twelve years and that didn’t go full colour until 1976. There were no drones or close circuit television or direct streaming but the Catholic Church didn’t need technology. They had Parish Power and this was a source of information that never went dry. Parish Power had been in existence for centuries even J2 Intelligence or the Stiúrthóireacht na Faisnéise was only formed in the 1920’s.  There were women like Mrs Macormack who knew more about what went on in Kinsale then the entire police or intellegence services of Ireland and if Corac Drennan stayed the night or tried to close those curtains then The Holy Father himself would soon know about it. There was was no danger of this betrothed couple breaking their agreement with the parish.

Cormac and Kat spoke on the telephone and they saw each other most nights. Kat joined the church choir and she met her friends for Boook club and there were other things that occupied her evenings. On the  evenings that  they would eat together and then Cormac would go home to his parents or go out with his friends or workmates. Cormac was still the youngest Marine tecnician at the Marina. They called themselves Marine tecnicians because they were the men that thought that they knew everything about every sea going vessel built anywhere in the world. They were mechanics, Carpenters, electricians and they knew their pipes. If a boat came into their yard to get repaired then it always left in total perfect working order.

They still called him Young un but they were slowly getting use to callling him Cormac. He was a good worker and skilled at all his jobs. Cormac was the youngest and the man who had been married for the shortest time. Almost every man there had a wife a respectable amount of children, all except Old Man Connor the Works second foreman. There were rumours that he had children all over Ireland and in other countries. The other rumours were that he had never had a woman but he did have a lot of younger male friends. Old man Connor would often take these younger men away with him on his small yacht and they would sometimes sail away for days at a time. It was well  that Seafaring men had their own code of conduct and a moto

“Live and let live”

Old man Connor bought a round like everyone else, when he was with them and that’s all that mattered.

There was one thing that Cormac did notice about his workmates and older friends and that was; they only seemed to be married from Sunday until Thursday. On a Friday and Saturday night they were all single men looking for unattached women and every girl who walked into the pub was as they would say

“Just right for the picking”

Cormac got a lot of attention from women because he was the youngest, handsomist and he always made himself totally unavailable. Cormac’s workmates laughed at him because he could have had a date or more with almost any one of these unattached women. The only woman Cormac wanted however was Kat. While the other men left the pubs dissapointed Cormac left feeling proud of himself, knowing that there was only one girl in the world for him. It was on the Sunday morning at church where  Cormac would see his once again, married workmates with their wives and families.

It was after three long months of forced seperation that the happy couple were able to get married again and this time before God, their family and friends. Mary Prendergast after many telephone and personal conversations with Father Michael finally gave her consent if not her blessings to the church marriage taking place. Mary did cry at the wedding but nobody could honestly work out the reasons for her tears. Brigitte Drennan wept for joy at the sight of her handsome beautifully turned out son and at the sight of Kat walking elegantly down the aisle. The priest had reluctantly agreed to let Kat walk down the aisle dressed in white despite the circumstances. This was the second time in Cormac’s life that he heard Kat’s full name but once again he didn’t hear it all. Cormac just heard were the words

“I do and I will”

Followed by

“I now pronounce you Man and Wife and now young Cormac you may officially kiss your bride”

Chapter Six

The wedding reception wasn’t too lavish because for once in his life Benny Prendergast put his foot down. He was the bride’s father and he was footing the bill. He wasn’t a mean man but he did want to have some money over to give the couple some cash for a deposit on a house. At first Cormac didn’t want to accept the money he wanted to make his own way in life, just like his Dad but like so many times before and since Cormac could never say no to Kat.

After they were married Kat continued working at Sheehy’s and Cormac worked as many hours as he could at the Boatyard. It took them a year of hard work and constant saving but with the money from Mary and Benny Prendergast and some of their own Cormac and Kat were able to agree a loan and buy their own home. Cormac knew that once they had established their own nest then Kat would want to start a family. He did want children but he always imagined himself as an old dad, like his own father. In fact Donal Drennan was only twenty two when his child was born but when you’re a child, everyone is old.

Cormac and Kat were married for two years before their first child made her existence known Kat had been trying to get pregnant since the moment they got their first front door key cut. Cormac just assumed that he was irresistible and he always did his husbandly duties. Kat told Cormac her news over dinner that evening. She was calm and reflective as she asked Cormac

“How many people do you think are in this room at the moment?”

Cormac stopped eating and then looked around the room and then answered Kat speculatively

“Two?”

Kat then threw a potato at Cormac which bounced off his chest and landed next to his plate and she said

“No! Wrong! There’s three of us I’m pregnant”

Kat then laughed out loud and waited for an answer or just a sign of joy. Cormac picked up the potato and put it on his plate before saying

“That’s great darling now what do you fancy doing tonight?”

Cormac then just waited for a moment for what he knew was going to happen but before the impending eruption started he said to Kat with a smile

“I’m going to be a dad and you a beautiful Mammy, that’s grand. I love you Kat Drennan with all my heart”

Kat started to weep loudly and Cormac just laughed as he stood up and went over to Kat saying

“Come here, you silly moo”

It was eight months later that a very worried Cormac Seamus Aloysius Drennan waited impatiently outside the delivery room at Erinville Hospital in the City of Cork. He didn’t get time to phone his parents or Kat’s. A very sympathetic Charge nurse called Charge Nurse Agatha started up a conversation with Cormac. She always told her colleagues that she could spot a new father from a mile away. She was only a couple of feet from the forlorn looking Cormac so she knew straight away.

“Excuse me young man, is there anyone you want us to call to keep you company?”

Cormac just looked at Charge Nurse Agatha with his mouth wide open; he pointed his finger up in the air and said nothing. He wanted to speak but the words just didn’t want to come out. Charge Nurse Agatha   tried again

“Do you want me to phone both your families? You’re a typical man so I imagine that nobody knows you’re here”

Cormac gave Agatha a short answer

“I rang my Boss. He knows I’m here”

Nurse Agatha pretended to be annoyed. She knew that it wasn’t his fault. He was just a young man and a new future father. He could never know what to do on his own and as well as treating and help saving people, she was also there to help. Nurse Agatha took a pen and a note pad from her top pocket; she handed them to Cormac and ordered him to write down his parent’s full names and telephone numbers and also wife’s family details. As Cormac took the pad and paper he heard a loud scream coming from the other side of the door to the delivery room.

“What the Feck was that?

He screamed, Agatha scolded Cormac

“We’ll have none of that language here thank you young man. I can understand it coming from in there but I’ll not have it here. Your wife is fine, it’s called giving birth and the sound you can hear is the hard work that goes into it after you men have had your pleasure.  Now write down those names and numbers and I’ll go and make some calls”

Cormac quickly wrote down some numbers and then Nurse Agatha took her pad back and then rushed back to the office. She wasn’t gone long but it seemed like an age to young Cormac as he listened to his wife giving birth. Nurse Agatha told Cormac that she had phoned everyone on the list and then suggested to Cormac that he might feel more comfortable in the waiting room. He could have a cup of tea and then the nurse would come fetch him when his child arrived. A very relieved Cormac nodded and left the sounds of his wife’s screams to wait in the waiting room. It was after about an hour and three cups of warm tea like drinks that a smiling young midwife followed by frowning dowager like midwife came into the waiting room to say.

“Your wife and a beautiful young lady request the pleasure of your company Mr. Drennan “

Cormac didn’t know what to do with his cup; he just panicked and looked from side to side for somewhere to put it. The younger of two midwives’ smiled and took his cup. The older midwife then grabbed his arm and took Cormac to the delivery room. Kat was in bed propped up by some pillows quietly smiling Cormac could not believe how beautiful his young wife looked at that present moment. Kat didn’t say anything she just waved her hand to gesture where the baby was and Cormac began to cry. The midwife let out an unimpressed gasp of disapproval and then handed Cormac an unused nappy to blow his nose and dry his eyes. He then looked at the midwife and said  

“Can I hold her?”

The midwife smiled for the first time and said

“Yes of course you can Mr. Drennan and I hope that you’ll be doing more than just holding your daughter over the next few years. Being a parent is a two man job and don’t you forget that. If your pretty young wife phones me and says that you’re not pulling your weight then I’ll come around and Box Your Ears. You see if I don’t”

Cormac’s face went a little pale as he answered the midwife.

“Yes ma’am I’ll do my best”

The midwife then went over to the baby’s cot and picked her up to her to Cormac saying lastly

“You see that you do young man”

Cormac took his young daughter into his arms and held her close to him. He felt as if he was going to cry again but he somehow stopped himself.

This was the beginning of the latest branch of the Drennan Clan. They had three more children together over the years. Cormac didn’t get much say in the naming of his daughters Millicent, Melisa and Emilia It was Cormac’s theory that Kat named their daughters in such a way to prevent him from shortening any one of his daughter’s names to Milly and they couldn’t have three Millie’s in the house. Although this sign of endearment would have been applicable to all three of his lovely daughters. The one name that Cormac was allowed to choose was for Rory for his first born son. He chose the name Rory which in Gaelic meant Red King and to Cormac Rory also meant that his boy would roar like a lion and never be afraid of anything. It was unfortunate for young Rory that he had been born the youngest child. He was bullied, made up and dressed up like a doll by all of his loving sisters. They weren’t cruel to Rory they just treated him like a small doll or teddy bear. Rory did in spite of his sister’s treatment grow up to be a fine strong young man and his sisters got more beautiful by the day. They all looked like and had the grace and deportment of their mother Cormac felt blessed with his life and his family.

Chapter Seven

The next fifty or so years together just seemed to fly by. Cormac never made a decision without consulting Kat first and she felt the same way. It was after the birth of Melisa that Cormac decided to start his own business. It was the dream of every man that he knew, just to be his own boss. Cormac had started a small building firm at weekends renovating houses. The skills that he had learnt at College and since during his working day had made him confident enough to tackle any engineering or building challenges.

When Cormac registered his company Drennan Builders he felt that with hard work and Kat’s support and guidance along with determination and family help he could create a successful business. Kat was all for it , she said that she still work part time at Sheehy’s  and do the company accounts.  At the beginning Millicent and Melisa helped out at the weekends and Emilia watched over young Rory. Cormac subcontracted some of the more technical work to other professional firms to make sure that every job carried out by Drennan Builders passed all building regulations.

Cormac worked every day and most weekends but he always had found some time to be with Kat and the children. It took some years of hard work and sometimes belt tightening but eventually Drennan Builders became an established and well known company in the area. As the business grew organically Cormac was able to employ other builders to help him with the extra business. Kat was able to give up her job at Sheehy’s to still work part time at Drennan’s. They gave Kat a good send off at Sheehy’s and she was told there would always be a job for here there. Kat smiled and thought to herself

“Well, they always say that”

It was nonetheless a good farewell party and Old man Sheehy was still sad about the fact that Kat didn’t become his daughter in law.

Cormac was now an employer, a boss he could have taken things easier but at heart Cormac was a physical worker and he couldn’t sit in an office all day. There were many occasions when was office bound at the New Drennan Builders office and meant that spend more time with his Kat She was the woman who always inspired him. Cormac would read through building plans, job offers. Kat was the one who kept on top of every day expenses for every job taken on by his company. Kat did all the paper work; she filled in every form that Cormac signed. She wrote and answered all their correspondence personal and to do with the business. Cormac didn’t personally fill in a form or write a cheque for over fifty years. Kat took care of everything Kat even filled out their passport forms Cormac relied on Kat for every little thing.

They received some sad times over the years as the older members of the family left them. There were also good times with new births, first Holy Communions and Confirmations. There was one time when the children were still small and living at home in 1990 Cormac invited everyone he knew to watch the World cup quarter finals that June of 1990. He got a friend of his from RTE to arrange a big screen to be set up in his back garden. The kids invited all their friends. Michael from The Spaniard had a makeshift bar for festivals and he sent it over a with his head barman Kevin. There was only one barrel of Guinness because it’s a beer that needs special attention. He did send over some lager and it was a hot day so nobody complained. Cormac put 200 behind the bar when that had been drunk Cormac was going give Kevin some more money but Kat gave her husband one of her very loud stares and he put his wallet back in his pocket again. 

“Sorry Lads and Ladies you’re on your own now and the match hasn’t started yet. We are going to beat those Italian Johnnies and God Bless You Jackie Boy Charlton “’

Over the years that they shared Cormac got to know his wife’s ways and her moods. Kat was a very Black and White woman. When Kat said no then she meant No! if Kat said yes then everything was fine. There were other variables concerning Kat’s spoken and unspoken language. If Kat said

“Fine”

This meant that Cormac could do that but, there would be consequences. If Kat said

“Go ahead then “

This meant

“Do it, if you dare”

The word “whatever” meant that Cormac was going to lose this argument and every woman in the family would be on Mammy’s side. Cormac had been through the being ignored by everyone tactic too many times to even think about doing something after Kat said

“Whatever”

The last two phrases were

“It’s nothing “and “I’m Ok”

These two phrases meant that

It’s absolutely everything you’ve done and said and that Kat was anything but OK. So when Kat gave Cormac a look then he always knew that the wisest thing to do was to change his mind, there and then. In this case as in many other cases over the years there was no harm done

The party and the drinking carried on without any further financial help from Cormac. It was a good day and one to be remembered and still is remembered in Kinsale. The final result however wasn’t something to remember as Ireland got knocked out of the World Cup by Italy 1-0. This wasn’t the last party to be held at the Drennan home, there were many more such parties over the years.

Chapter Eight

Kat was the woman who had married him, given him a family and made him smile every day, as he turned his head to look at her every morning.  All the years’ Kat and Cormac spent together were not really years at all they were just millions of moments speckled with thousands of memories. The business took care of itself and their children grew up so fast. Emilia was the first to get married and the other three just followed one by one. Rory’s girlfriend caught Emilia’s Bouquet and she had him down that aisle six months later. He didn’t kick and struggle too much Rory knew when he was well off, you don’t meet many girls like Finnguala. The whole family knew that they would be happy together and they were. The nuclear and extended Drennan family shared many happy memories over the years. Cormac thought of his daughter’s husbands as his sons and Finnguala Drennan as his daughter. The in-laws were never treated as outsiders coming into their lives but also as members of the family. Cormac never felt as he was losing a daughter but as gaining a son and two new siblings.

Cormac and Kat were devoted to each other and they remained devoted until that sad day when Kat, just died. This happened one spring morning in her bed. Kat just seemed to die peacefully in her sleep. Kat had been tired and had been coughing a lot over the previous ten days. Both Cormac and Kat had been fully vaccinated against Covid along with their booster vaccination. It was in the spring of 2021 and in Ireland almost everyone had caught cold along with Covid it was that time of the year. Kat just took things easy and Cormac made her some light food to eat. He could make toast and boil an egg. He could also make sandwiches, he had, had enough practice over the years. Kat always told him that if he wanted to invite a load of people over to the house then he would also have to prepare the food and drinks

“I’m your wife, not your caterer”

Cormac looked after his wife every day that she was ill and every day Kat seemed to be getting better so there was no need to call the doctor. The pandemic had caused a lot of panic and hysteria in the local area and The Drennan’s were not a family that gave into hysteria. Kat had a sore throat, a few aches and pains and a mild headache. It was no more than just a cold or a touch of flu.

Kat and Cormac had swapped their double bed for two large singles because over the years Cormac had begun to kick out in his sleep. He had developed muscle spasms and had reluctantly for the sake of Kat he decided that it was best that they slept in separate beds. Even though they slept in different beds their beds were very close to together. Cormac would always lean over to Kats bed to kiss his wife good night and he would always crawl into Kat’s bed and snuggle up beside her every mornings.

This horrible morning Cormac quietly climbed into Kat’s bed and held her close to him as he had done for so many years. He kissed her on the cheek and then Cormac could feel how cold and stiff his wife’s body was. Cormac let go of Kat and then just screamed. The house was empty everyone but Kat and Cormac had fled the Drennan nest. The Girls had all said that they would pop by later that day to see how mammy was but for now it was just Cormac alone with Kat

Cormac didn’t cry, he was sure that he would but no tears fell. He let go of Kat and then stroked her hair. He had always loved Kat’s long hair. Cormac never noticed that Kat had gone grey until one day he came home and Kat had been to the hairdressers in Cork to have her hair dyed. He came into the kitchen and asked Kat what she had done to her hair because it looked different. Kat just smiled and said

“It’s just a new hairdo Cormac, don’t worry about it, just go in and sit down Dinner’s nearly ready”

Cormac got out of Kat’s bed and put on some clothes. He wasn’t sure whether to have some breakfast first and then phone the family as well as the Doctor or the other way around. Cormac decided to have breakfast first, it was going to be a busy day and he didn’t want to face anyone on an empty stomach. Cormac turned on the radio as he always did he took out two plates and two mugs and then put the extra crockery back in the cupboard and smiled to himself thinking.

“You daft old bugger Cormac Drennan. It’s only you today”

It was then that Cormac started to cry and wail and weep. His wife was dead and he was making breakfast. What kind of callous monster was he, had he no respect?

Chapter Nine

After Cormac had composed himself a little, he did feel in the need of a cup of tea and maybe a couple of slices of toast just to start the day. Cormac knew that Kat would not approve of him going out the door on an empty stomach. He boiled the kettle, made himself some tea and then buttered himself some toast. As Cormac ate his breakfast he listened to the news on the radio but nothing important seemed to have happened that day or the day before.

When breakfast was over Cormac cleaned up after himself and then decided that he needed to take a shower and to change his clothes. He walked into the bedroom he kissed Kat on her forehead smiled and then went to the bathroom. After his shower and shave Cormac came in again to put on some fresh clothes. He took out a shirt and then turned to look at Kat  

“Yes you’re right Kat this one is a bit too formal I’ll wear my Munster shirt”

Cormac found the rest of the clothes that he was going to wear. He and then sat down on Kat’s bed to get dressed turning his head a couple of times to look at Kat. She still looked as though she was asleep so Cormac smiled and stroked her face. Cormac fastened his last shoelace, leant over to kiss Kat on the cheek and then stood up to go down the stairs to the kitchen. He could still feel Kat’s presence in the Kitchen and it was still one of the warmest rooms in the house.

Cormac’s first call was to his daughter Millicent, she was the eldest and she had a level head on her shoulders. Millicent wouldn’t go all soft and break down on the phone.She was a pragmatic girl that accepted things for what they were.  Millicent answered her phone promptly and efficiently.

“Hello daddy, are you OK?  How’s mammy? We’ll be over at the weekend I hope that everything is grand I can’t talk long, you know how things are and we’ll have plenty to talk about on Saturday. Put Mammy on and we can quickly make all the arrangements. You know mammy, she wouldn’t want you interfering” Cormac spoke before Millicent had a chance to say another word

“Your Mammy is dead Millicent, so I think that we might have to change our plans for the weekend”

Cormac wasn’t being callous or unfeeling; it was just the first time he had said out loud to someone that his wife Kat had died. There’s a psychiatric term called Internal Gaslighting in which a sufferer of abuse, pain or   tragedy denies what has happened to them. This denial of true events makes it seem as if nothing has really happened. Cormac took his time over breakfast and put on some fresh clothes, in order to delay acceptance of the truth. Kat the woman he had loved with all his heart, his friend, his wife and his soul mate had died and he never got a chance to say goodbye.  

There was a silence at the end of the line and suddenly all the background sounds seemed so much louder Cormac could hear Millicent’s radio and her dishwasher, he spoke again

“Are you still there Millicent? Did you hear what I said?”

There was suddenly heard a loud scream on the line and the yelp and a shriek. All three sounds were repeated over and over again. All Cormac could do was to wait and listen and every sound he heard, vibrated through his body. He thought that perhaps he should have phoned Rory first or Melisa poor Emilia was so soft and gentle she wouldn’t be strong enough to keep control after hearing such sad news. Cormac then considered if he should have just left Kat and then driven down to see Millicent and tell her in person. Cormac knew that it was a terrible thing to have to tell anyone. While Cormac mulled over what he should have done or how he should have done it Millicent stopped wailing for a moment and said

“Oh my Goodness! Daddy, are you alright?”

That was a question that he hadn’t expected. Cormac was so concerned about how his children would take the news that he had forgotten his own pain and sense of loss Cormac simply said

“I just want to let you all know what has happened and when I’ve told all of you I’ll tell the authorities. Now if you’ll excuse me Millicent I’ll just phone your sisters and your brother. If I get time I’ll phone the doctor but I know that he can’t help. Your Mammy has gone and that’s an end to it. I just need five minutes and then I’ll call Melisa. Oh and I’ll phone Father Whoever it is these days”

For a brief moment Millicent forgot her own sorrow and she tried to reason with her father. It is true that her Daddy was being very calm right now. But Millicent felt obliged to try and help her daddy with some of the things that needed to be done. She spoke with some haste to Cormac, in case he was about to put the phone down

“Daddy, listen to me. I know that you’re a strong man and still head of this family but let me talk to the family. You just make yourself a cup of tea and I’ll be there as soon as I can. Is that ok with you Daddy?”

Cormac was a little relieved to hear Millicent’s offer of help. This was all a new experience for him. He had never known anyone close to him to die before. It was true that his mother and father had died a few years back and also Mary and Benny Prendergast but Kat had dealt with everything. All Cormac had to do was to turn up and make a speech for his own parents and sit there and be quiet for Mary and Benny Prendergast’s interment. This was the first time in Cormac’s life that he felt truly alone and with no grown up to talk to.  Cormac just felt scared, lonely and for the first time in 52 years, actually sad. Cormac gladly just said the word

“Yes”

Millicent said goodbye to her father and then telephoned all her siblings. Every single one of them reacted in the same way as Millicent, a loud scream a yelp and a shriek, even Rory. They all stopped doing whatever they were doing and made their way to Cormac. When they got there, Cormac was sitting in the front room watching the news. Everybody seemed to arrive at the same time. They all had their own keys so they just came into the house as they had always done. Millicent, being the eldest felt that she should speak first

“Are you alright Daddy? Where’s Mammy?”

Cormac tried not to smile as he answered both questions but the more he tried to stifle his grin the wider it became and a tear came to his eye

“I’m bearing up Millicent thank you for asking. As for your Mammy I found her this morning as I woke. Where do you think she is? She’s upstairs in bed ,you daft girl”

It was now Rory’s turn to ask a question

“Have you phoned the doctor Da, the police or an ambulance?”

Cormac was confused and still in shock as he answered Rory’s questions

“No, no I haven’t phoned anyone, just Millicent and I think she phoned all of you. I didn’t know what to do or who to contact. I just came down here and made myself and your mother some breakfast and then I realised that it was just me for breakfast”

Nobody wanted to go upstairs but somebody had to, if only to confirm to the others that their mother was dead. The children just looked at each other and then turned a glance to the stairs. Rory volunteered to go upstairs with Cormac and Millicent got on her phone to contact all the relevant authorities including the Church for a priest to come over and give Kat the Last Rites.

 It was ten minutes when Old Father Barnabas knocked on the front door of The Drennan house and as he came in he made the Sign of The Cross and said

“God Bless every person within these walls and I’m sorry for your loss. Please take me to Mrs. Drennan time is of the essence. I will pray to Our Lord that I’m not too late. Come upstairs all of you and we can pray together”

The whole family followed Father Barnabas up the stairs and they all knelled by Kats bed Father Barnabas was already dressed in his robes. He took a small flask from his pocket and sprinkled some of the contents on Kat’s body. He then anointed her forehead and said

“Through this holy anointing may The Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from your sin save you and raise you up”

Father Barnabas then raised his hands as if to say join him in prayer and started saying the Our Father prayer everyone in the room joined in.

Father Barnabas then said

“God Bless and keep you Kat Drennan. The world is a poorer place today “

Father Barnabas then turned around raised his arms to signal that everybody could get up again and put the little flask back into his pocket.

He then said to the family

“I’m sorry for your loss. I’m also sorry to impose on you but is there a cup of tea going I’m parched. Shall we all go downstairs? I imagine the doctor will be here soon and I don’t like getting in his way. You know that he’s got a nasty temper”

Chapter Ten

They all left the room and Millicent sat everyone down in the sitting room while she made some tea.  Millicent, Melisa and Emilia had also had the forethought to bring cake and biscuits. Father Barnabas sat on the sofa as he had done many years before and many years since. He had some papers in his jacket pocket which he had hung over the bottom banister. He got up and collected then and then sat down again. There was very soon a cup of tea set before him and a small plate for the biscuits.

Rory was curious and had to ask Father Barnabas a question

“How is it that you had everything so quickly to hand Father? I mean the oil and the robes”

Father Barnabas puckered up his lips and took as deep breath and said

“Now Rory I know that this is a sad time for you but I’ll tell you that normally a Magician wouldn’t always reveal how a trick is done but I’ll tell you. We always keep spare robes, holy water and oils in the car for just such an emergency. I was about to go and have a round of golf with The Monsignor when my mobile rang and God comes before a round”

Father Barnabas then turned to talk to Cormac

“Now Mr. Drennan I’m sorry to do this now but as I am here and I’m assuming that you want a church burial and service. I’ve just got a wee form that I’d like to fill in with you. It won’t take long I have most of your details back in the office. Are you ok to do this now?”

Cormac nodded and as he did so the doorbell rang. It was the doctor he was accompanied by a Garda but only because he gave the doctor a lift, there was no suspicion that a crime had been committed.

The whole family stood up to let the doctor in and then they all sat down again and waited for their father to ask one of them to answer the door. Cormac looked straight at Rory and said

“Would you mind son? I’m feeling a little tired and I just want to talk a little to the father”

Rory smiled at Cormac and then raised himself up to go to the front door. After a few moments Dr. Downey came into the living room accompanied by a young garda Dermot McManus. Garda McManus removed his cap and then bowed his head to Cormac saying

“I’m sorry for your loss Mr. Drennan. Is it alright if I take Dr. Downey up to your bedroom to examine Mrs. Drennan to make the proper declaration? I’m sure it won’t take long and I disturb a thing”

Cormac nodded and thanked Garda McManus and said

“Yes, on you go son I’ll stay down here I’m helping the father fill in a form”

The young Garda stood to attention and gave Cormac a salute, he then turned away and escorted Dr. Downey up the stairs. Cormac turned back his attention to Father Barnabas saying

“Now Father about this form shall we get on? I need to phone O’Donovan’s to let them know what happened and to make some arrangements. They gave Mammy and Daddy such a lovely send off. I need them to take”

Cormac paused for a moment swallowed and then carried on

“I need them to take care of Kat. I know that she would want me to get on with things Kat was always a woman who could manage anything and everything. Now father what information do you need from me right now?”

 Father Barnabas put his hand on Cormac’s shoulder and smiled before saying

“I don’t need that much information right now Cormac, Mr. Drennan. I just need you to confirm for me your wife’s full name and the rest I can easily find in our church records, like date of birth and next of kin etc “

Cormac then got quite excited as a reeled off some facts about his late wife

“Katherine Jane Drennan, born Katherine Jane Prendergast on the 27^th April 1950, next of kin Cormac Seamus Aloysius Drennan survived by husband and four children Millicent, Melisa and Emilia and Rory. Her parents were Mary and Benny Prendergast both  deceased God Rest Their Souls. You have our address and like you said you can find the other information you need from your computer back at the office or just give me a ring. I’ll give you our phone number again”

When Cormac had finished talking everyone in the room turned to look at each other and then, they all   stared at Father Barnabas. Rory opened his mouth to speak and Melisa gave him one of her mother’s loud looks. Rory closed his mouth again everybody wanted to talk but nobody actually wanted to say anything. In the end it was Father Barnabas who broke the silence.

“There’s just one thing Mr. Drennan from what I can recall from my sometime corrupt memory cells. Mrs. Drennan’s full name was Kathleen Helen Jane Drennan. I know that everyone who was close to her, called her Kat but Mrs. Kathleen Drennan has been on our list of Church readers for many years”

Cormac stared in disbelief at the priest and then turned his attention to all of his children. He stared at them one by one and then looked down onto the ground. Cormac had never in his life felt such a feeling of shame. He was too strong a man and too proud a man to cry or breakdown in front of a priest or his children. Cormac just coughed out loud and said to Father Barnabas

“I stand corrected Father yes you’re right Kathleen Helen Jane Drennan but I’d swear to the rest of it.”

At that moment Dr. Downey and Garda McManus appeared at the door to the sitting room. They had heard the whole conversation from the stairs but for reasons of diplomacy they decided to wait silently at the foot of the stairs. Dr. Downey came into the room and he put out his gloved hand to fist bump Cormac saying

“That’s everything sorted now Mr. Drennan I’m sorry for your loss. Pease accept all my sympathies I’ll be going now. The Good Garda here is going to give me a lift back to The Health Centre. God Bless you Mr. Drennan “

He then looked around the whole room and said

“My sympathies go out to all of you as well. I bid you all a good and safe day”

Rory stood up and showed the doctor and the garda to the front door. Rory fist bumped both men and thanked them.

As Rory came back into the room Father Barnabas was just getting up to leave. Emilia stopped him in his preparations and asked him

“Father, you were a little late in giving mammy The Last Rites. will mammy still go up to heaven?”

This was a classic catechism question that Father Barnabas didn’t expect to be asked by a grown woman in 2021 but he answered sympathetically

“Yes My Child. Your mother will go to heaven. She was a good woman and all good people deserve a place in heaven. The blessings and the oils are administered by man. It is not mere men like us who make the final judgment, it’s Our Lord God. Your mother is probably there now watching over us. God Bless everyone herein I’ll take my leave, if I may.”

Emilia stood up to give Father Barnabas a hug to say thank you and goodbye. Father Barnabas hesitated for a moment and then opened his arms. He then had to hug the entire family. Cormac stretched out his hand to shake hands with the priest who had shamed the local church, into letting him and Kat back into the congregation. Father Barnabas looked down at Cormac’s hand; he then put out his own hand and said

“Come here Mr. Drennan”

Cormac put down his hand and gave his friend a hug. Both men started to cry and then sniffed loudly, coughed and then let go of each other.

“God keep you Cormac Drennan”

“And you Father”

With these final words Father Barnabas’s turned to leave the house followed this time by Millicent. They were all alone now in the house. They all sat and said nothing and looked anywhere in the room but at each other. Cormac eventually broke the silence by saying

“Well thank you all for coming I expect that you all have other things to do today. You will have to go home and be with your families and I’ve got a few arrangements to make. I need to telephone O’Donovan’s so they can come over and collect you mammy. I also need to phone relatives and friends to give them the news. So I’ll say goodbye to you all for now”

It was clear to Millicent, Melisa and Emilia and Rory that there was still a “Big Elephant in the room” and it was that their father who had been married to their mother for so many years didn’t know her name. Melisa nominated herself to speak first hoping to settle this matter quickly and hopefully forever.

“Daddy! Let us help with some of the arrangements today. We can all ring around the friends and relatives. We can all phone our families and explain what has happened. Our children will be fine. We all have partners that will help us share the burden and one more thing. We all know that you loved Mammy and you never took her for granted. Kathleen or Katherine, it makes no difference. Our Mother and your wife was known, to everyone who knew her in Kinsale, as Mrs. Kat Drennan. She was a loving and loved mother and wife. You never missed a birthday, you never forgot your anniversary I hope that my husband always loves me as much as you loved Mammy”

Cormac stood up very quickly and announced to the room that he needed to go to the toilet. He ran out through the kitchen opened the back door to use the old toilet in the garden. He was gone for quite a while and the Drennan Kids just sat there and waited for him to return. Millicent, Emilia and Rory all thanked Melissa for what she had so eloquently said. It was now time for the family to rally around for daddy this was going to be a difficult time for him.

Cormac eventually came back in from the garden his eyes were a little red as well as his nose, but there was still plenty of pollen in the air so nobody said anything. The family just turned on their mobile phones, found a quiet corner in the downstairs of the house and started making their allotted calls.

It took about two hours before O’Donovan’s could send a suitable vehicle to collect Kat’s body. It also took a little while to make arrangements at the rest home to receive her.

They eventually turned up and reverently took Kat’s body down from the bedroom and gently into the back of the hearse. Cormac showed the two men upstairs and then came down again to wait in the sitting room with his family. Each one of them cried as they saw their mother’s body being carried gently and respectfully past the sitting room door and out into the hearse. Cormac thanked the two men and gave then both ten Euros. They both refused but Cormac just put the money in their hands and closed their fingers

That was the story of Kat and Cormac two young lovers who fell and stayed in love. The funeral went as most funerals nonfiction Irish funerals went. People cried and some laughed as they shared memories. There were a few that drank more than they should have but you can blame that on the grief. Kat was loved by many. One man sang a song at the graveside but he asked everyone their permission first. It was a sad song but it fitted the occasion. Cormac thanked everyone for being there and he gave a tip to the grave diggers and a bottle of Irish to Father Barnabas. When the day was over Cormac went back to the house, he made himself a cup of tea and then went to bed. He had decided that after Kat died he didn’t need such a big room anymore so he now sleeeps in one of the other bedrooms.

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