The Magic of an Irish Cottage

By Anita Hendy

This special book tells the delightful tale of a relationship between a young girl and an old woman. Having moved from the city, Dublin, to Wexford, in the country Molly lives with her Aunt Hattie and the housekeeper Julie. One day as she is playing on her Granddads farm, she has an accident with a bucket of milk.

Afraid of being scolded she runs tearfully down the fields and sits under a tree.

Then she sees smoke rising from a chimney and is drawn to the house. She is surprised to find a little cottage with a roof of golden straw. It is then that she meets with some cats and kittens, and also with the lady of the house, Aggie Cullen. A deep loving friendship develops between the young girl and the old woman as Aggie tells Molly wonderful stories and brings her on little adventures. Time spent in the woods becomes magical when Aggie explains the wild life and the sounds. Over the years, their bond of affection grows deeper and is not broken when Molly is sent to boarding school.

Then, the years pass and sadly Aggie dies. And in her sadness, Molly is comforted by the old woman’s wise words that come back to her.

The little cottage is left boarded up and idle and before long, the roof caves in.

Then, Molly herself marries a handsome soldier. And what does her Daddy give her as a wedding present? Well you will have to read this enchanting story to find out the happy ever after ending.

Excerpt from ‘The Magic of an Irish Cottage.’

‘Then Aggie took Molly by the shoulders and looked seriously into her eyes.

‘When ya go to this new school,’ she said, ‘Ya won’t be as free as ya were here in the cottage with me. Remember the magic child, and carry it with ya in yer heart and mix it with the learnin’ of the books. Don’t let anyone take it away.’

‘No matter how far I go,’ said Molly, ‘I will never forget the magic times we had together, and when I come home on holidays we can have them again.’

‘Indeed we can child,’ said Aggie as she brushed Molly’s fringe over her forehead.

‘Now off with ya and don’t keep yer Auntie Hattie waitin’ in the car, she might get cross with ya.’

Molly leaned over and gave Aggie a big hug.

‘Oh I love you Aggie.’ said Molly.

Then, she turned and hurried out of the cottage. When she was gone, Aggie bent down and picked Blackie up in her arms. Stroking the cat’s warm soft fur she walked to the door and waved until the car was out of sight. Looking up at the fluffy clouds in the sky, she said, in a very lonely voice, ‘And don’t forget child, I love you too.’