Bernie

20th January 2021 saw the inauguration of Joe Biden as 46th president of the United States. As my Dad is American, I followed this with great interest, and hence, I watched the entire inauguration. Of course, I too was blown away by the delivery and poignancy of inaugural poet, Amanda Gorman's 'The Hill We Climb' (her surname is so Irish, can we please claim her?!).

But who transpired as the absolute stealer of the show? None other than Senator Bernie Sanders. You've all seen the memes at this stage, but you haven't seen them all! 

Did you know that Bernie actually went on a roadtrip of Ireland, following the inauguration, to try and get his mittens on a copy of 'Lights on the Horizon'? ​

Read on to find where Bernie travelled to.

Stop 1: Cork

Bernie’s Roadtrip, part 1:
Bernie, and his #cuddly #mittens, waiting patiently outside
Waterstone's Cork for bookshops to reopen, so he can buy his copy of #charity #book ‘Lights on the Horizon’. We really appreciate your dedication, Bernie! But... Cork’s in #lockdown . Lily, John, get that man a #coffee!
#charity #corkcity #cork #ireland #books #bookshops #lockdownlife #berniesmittens #berniesroadtrip

Stop 2: Kinsale

 Bernie’s Roadtrip, part 2:
He must have heard about the #beautiful scenery in West Cork - and about
Bookstór , the fabulous bookshop in the centre of Kinsale.
Bernie, we can see how badly you’d like to get your #mittens on #charity #book ‘Lights on the Horizon’.
Sadly, Ireland’s still in #level5 #lockdown. Perhaps we could post you a copy with
An Post instead?
#kinsale #cork #ireland #books #bookstagram #bookshops #berniesmittens #berniesroadtrip

Stop 3: Clonakilty

Bernie’s Roadtrip, part 3:
He really is on a bit of a #roadtrip, our #Bernie. And he still has those mittens. Probably just as well, with the #sneachta .
His dedication to supporting #frontline staff and wanting to buy a copy of ‘Lights on the Horizon’ is unreal. #Clonakilty , arguably the best town in #Ireland , does have amazing shops. So good, in fact, that Bernie perched himself right between two of them: Annabel Langrish Galleries and Kerr's Bookshop .
I know Trish and her team at Kerr's work long hours, but I don’t want to burst his bubble and tell him the shops are... No, I can’t. I can’t do it.
Though I know for a fact Kerr's do post out nationwide. And, possibly, Vermont.

Alternatively, Bernie, why not stay in Dunowen House and we’ll hand-deliver a copy.
#charity #book #bookshops #clonakilty #cork #countycork #ireland #berniesmittens #berniesroadtrip

Stop 4: Mallow

Bernie’s Roadtrip, part 4:
And here’s our #berniesanders, and his mittens, which surely must have their own @Instagram page at this stage, like Connell's chain.
He (and I mean Bernie, not Connell), is waiting, undeterred, outside
Philip's Bookshop in #mallow .
Bernie, you won’t get your copy of ‘Lights on the Horizon’ this way, but June and the team might bring you a #hotchocolate and a pair of matching #earmuffs . Stay warm, mittens-lover.
#charity #book #bookshop #Cork #ireland #berniesroadtrip

The team in Philip's even had something to say about Bernie, and suffice it to say they weren't too pleased.

Stop 5: Galway

Bernie’s Roadtrip, part 5:
He’s only upped and gone to #galway ! The lengths this #legend will go to, hovering on that there Sean Gavin Electrical van. It’s probably wise to leave on those well-insulated mittens. Sadly, he’ll find Charlie Byrne's Bookshop is closed at the moment. But I’m sure Charlie, Vinnie and the team will leave no stone of the #SpanishArch unturned to get a copy of ‘Lights on the Horizon’ to Bernie.
That’s five bookshops he’s tried. Wherever will he go next?
#charity #book #galwaycity #bookshop #ireland #berniesmittens #berniesroadtrip

Stop 6: Dublin

Bernie’s Roadtrip, part 6:
He’s made it to #dublin . He tried the Guinness Storehouse and Trinity College Dublin. Doors firmly shut.
To pass the time, Bernie was hoping for a bit of a boogie and was devastated to find Lilys Bordello had closed for good. So, he’s shelved the idea of becoming the next Michael Flatley.
Now Bernie’s patiently waiting outside the lift in Rathfarnham Shopping Centre for Rathfarnham Bookshop to open.
Don’t know what to tell ya, Bernie. Ireland’s still closed. Maybe Joe and his team will bring you some #irishdancing shoes while you wait.
..... .....
#charity #book #dublin #dublincity #rathfarnham #ireland #bookshops #berniesroadtrip

Stop 7 (Final Stop): Carrickfergus

Bernies Roadtrip, part 7 - The Final:
#carrickfergus is a quieter place these days, but it‘s buzzing today: Bernie has landed, in his quest to get his mits on a copy of ‘Lights on the Horizon’.
Or maybe he heard that Jo & Chris at The Secret Bookshelf are celebrating their first year in business - could you spare a glass of bubbles for Bernie? He may also need a plane ticket home...
Next time you’re over, Bernie, #ireland will hopefully be back open for business. We can’t wait to have you back with us. Bring waterproof #mittens ...
#charity #book #northernireland #carrickfergus #ireland #bookshops #lockdown #lockdownlife #berniesroadtrip #bubblesforbernie #getbernietoireland #waterproofmittens