My name is Moate!

Greetings from Moate to Moate, Lauren Moate that is. Lauren arrived in Moate all the way from Dungog, near Newcastle in New South Wales for a short three day stay. Like many Australians, Lauren is backpacking around Europe and beyond. This lady was looking at the Lonely Planet Guide and spotted the town which shares her surname. I must go there she thought and when she was in Dingle she happened to meet Pairic Geoghegan - from Moate. Pairic obviously gave a good impression of the town and Lauren hired a car for three days and arrived in Moate. Looking for a tourist information office she called into our shop and the discussion started. A great asset when you are touring by yourself is a warm, outgoing and friendly disposition and this lady certainly had all these attributes. Armed with the names of the local B&B's, directions to Dun na Sí, Moate Library, Clonmacnoise and Athlone Castle she headed off. I next met her on Tuesday and asked how she had fared, the Geoghegan clan had solved the accommodation issue and she had then embarked on a cultural exploration of Moate, she enjoyed every minute in the town and had found her way to Egans and other friendly locations in the town. A particular highlight was the seisun in Dr Cuppaiges on Monday night where the music and the company had left a warm memory. Lauren intends to return, possibly at Christmas and this time she intends to bring her sister who is based in England with her. She also hopes to find out a little more about her fathers heritage and will try to discover if there is a family connection with this area. We look forward to her return and hope that her sister enjoys as good a welcome as Lauren received. Lauren has promised to keep track of Moate Matters online at www.westmeathindependent.ie as do many of our exiles in far flung places.