8/365: Pat Barrett in The Gravediggers, Dublin

I met Pat in the Gravediggers pub on what was supposed to be a quiet afternoon, but I don’t think that pub ever has a quiet spell. We sit in the snug, get a round in and chat like old times. I’ve known Pat for over 22 years. We first met while working in a record store on Henry Street. Pat is what I’d always describe as a good egg. An old soul, kind and compassionate. What we talk about surprises me. Pat has had an exciting career as a musician, he’s travelled the world and has recently gotten married but it’s his Mother’s story he wishes to share today. It’s a story familiar to most families of a certain generation. A matriarch who carried the family through tough times, often needing to sacrifice her own needs and desires to do so. Marie Theresa was born in 1942, she was a classically trained singer, but never followed her career, choosing instead to raise 4 children with her husband. During the pandemic, Pat assumed the role of carer to his elderly parents and in today’s chat he tells me what that was truly like. RuthSin Scéal Eile - That's Another Story was hosted and created by Ruth Medjber, with sound by Ronan Lally. The podcast is produced by Dee Reddy at Poddle Audio with original music by Elaine Mai. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.