Just back from trip to Ireland.

While we were there, we were treated to a visit with John McGonigle in Athlone smack dab in the middle of Ireland. A gentleman completely. Our visit with him and his wife, Linda, was filled with talk of watches, watches, life, family, good food and life. And the watches? The Tuscar is an amazingly beautiful watch. Can't wait to see the finished product and bring it home. Then there is the tourbillon! I was speechless. It is understated and elegant. A piece that attached itself to my wrist and wouldn't let go.

At the intersection of somewhere and nowhere stands a house.

inside a watchmaker by the name of John McGonigle talks with Linda about watches. Yes she is really interested.

inside a watchmaker by the name of John McGonigle talks with my wife, Linda, about watches. Yes she is really interested.

In one corner of the shop, Aaron works on polishing parts of the Tuscar

The Tuscar from the back

The Tuscar from the front (not the greatest picture - a stunning movement).

Stunning - the McGonigle tourbillon. I was speechless. The picture does not do it justice. It is amazing in the metal, on the wrist.

Security? Absolutely. There is the guard chicken.

A walk in Athlone was not devoid of talk about watches.

Of course there had to be a stop at Seans - the supposed oldest pub in Ireland.

This message has been edited by Mitch K on 2012-10-28 12:14:31

OK nice teaser Mitch

By: Ares501 - Mr Green : October 28th, 2012-13:59

now please we wanna more pictures lot more :) Best Damjan

Looking good Mitch!

By: patrick_y : October 28th, 2012-14:27

I've never been to Ireland, but it certainly is green! Thanks for the photos.

Yes, Ireland is truly the Emerald Isle. It is green, beautiful and filled with very nice

By: Mitch K : October 28th, 2012-21:24

people. That said the most unexpected pleasure was the quality of the food. We had some wonderful meals to the point that we think that one of the meals that we had, in a town called Dingle, was one of the top 10 meals that we have ever had. It is a count...

Wow... Top 10 meals...

By: patrick_y : October 29th, 2012-00:44

It'd be worth it to visit just to try the food!

I hope to meet the McGonigle family soon... a long time without having seen them. Thanks Mitch for the nice report! Fx ...

I was amazed at the beauty of the Tuscar in the metal. I can barely wait

By: Mitch K : October 28th, 2012-21:29

to receive mine. John and his family are most gracious and are a true pleasure to visit with. Linda, his wife, is a stitch with a great sense of humor. The kids Ben and Helen are charming. Visiting with John and spending time with him gave me a true appre...

Remind me to raise a glass the next time we're together and toast your 60 years, Mitch.

By: CaliforniaJed : October 28th, 2012-21:41

And remind me to give you hell for your bountiful truthiness and lack of detail! ;-) Best, CaliforniaJed

Jed, my friend, I will accept your toast. Use your imagination as to what i refer to .

By: Mitch K : October 28th, 2012-22:39

Any guesses? Mitch

To Arthur?

By: MTF : October 29th, 2012-11:38

:-) MTF PS. Once a year we all toast Arthur......we...... being Guinness fans of the world.

We were there on Arthur's Day (Sept 27). Said to be as big as St. Patrick's day

By: Mitch K : October 29th, 2012-20:51

in the pubs. Painting the town black (and not the Stones!). Mitch

Surely...

By: pplater : October 28th, 2012-17:00

...you did not make that pilgrimage and leave without a watch??? What are you not telling us, Mitch? ;-) Cheers, pplater.

Truth - I did not leave with a watch. Truth - I am waiting for my Tuscar (though

By: Mitch K : October 28th, 2012-21:34

a lot less patiently now, having seen one in the making). Truth - my 60th birthday is soon upon me and it should be celebrated with a special watch. Truth - I have long resisted the rabbit hole of turbillons but, have recently fallen deeply into the hole ...

Truth or dare...

By: pplater : October 28th, 2012-21:39

Your dare is to answer honestly: counting the Tuscar, at some point before or after your impending milestone, will you be the owner of two watches by the brothers McGonigle? :-) Cheers, pplater.

Ah. Certainly not before, as the birthday is but 3+ weeks away.

By: Mitch K : October 28th, 2012-22:42

But perhaps you are correct. The challenge, is also to guess which watch sent me down that rabbit hole. Mitch

It seems that we are somewhat attuned, Mitch...

By: pplater : October 29th, 2012-01:09

The tourbillon has always seemed something of an affectation, and a disproportionately expensive one at that. Speaking personally, the exceptions would be FPJ (prototype and Rd'E versions), Smith (if only Daniels had gone down that road in wristwatches!),...

McGonigle visit

By: Steve R : October 28th, 2012-17:40

My wife and I were able to visit Ireland in May. One of the highlights for us was visiting John and his family as well as touring his studio. They are great people and would have liked to spend even more time touring Athlone. As it were, felt very lucky t...

Visiting John and Linda was a true joy. I am enthusiastically a supporter of the

By: Mitch K : October 28th, 2012-21:48

independent watchmaking community. Spending time with the watchmaker who will be responsible for producing a watch that I will wear lends a special significance to that watch filled with not only mechanical wonders but also fills it with a soul and memori...

Horological Meandering