This Is Happiness

After the conclusion of a routine Mass, the men of Faha quickly lose interest in the church activities and gather outside, engaging in small talk and smoking. Among the congregants are Conlon, the newspaperman, who sells papers and engages in lively conversations with the locals, and Ganga and Doady, who embrace simplicity and frugality and thus prefer their plain horse and cart over a car.

After a naked swim in the river, Christy visits Ganga and Doady’s house, where they offer him a room to stay. Ganga loves a good story and sees Christy’s arrival as part of the ongoing story of life, where no end is predetermined. Doady negotiates the terms of Christy’s stay, emphasizing the simplicity of the accommodations. Surprisingly, Christy refuses to eat meat, which is uncommon in Faha, and, like his river swim, further portrays his unusual, progressive, intriguing presence. Christy accepts their offer and goes to sleep.

Noe describes the progression of the plans that led to the long-awaited electrification of Faha and Christy’s arrival. Faha was one of the last areas in Ireland to receive electricity. An Area Organiser named Harry Rushe had canvassed the parish to promote the benefits of electricity and secure signatures from residents.