Paudie O’Connor - The Most Beautiful Man I Ever Laid Eyes On

Paudie O’Connor & The Lakes of Killarney

Paudie O’Connor was the most beautiful man I’d ever laid eyes on.

When I met him in the kitchen of The Aghadoe Heights Hotel in Killarney back in 1972, he was sitting at a table in a corner, tucked away from the bustle of the rest of the room.  His best friend, whom I’ll call Brian, introduced us. I sensed Brian anticipated a transformative encounter between us, and I was right.

Brian grinned, nodding toward us during his introduction. “Debbie, Paudie … Paudie, Debbie.”

Paudie stood up – all 6’4” of him – and I thought I’d die. He was gorgeous.

Creamy light skin. Ocean-blue eyes. Wavy, sandy brown hair flecked with gold. An Oval face framing handsome, rugged features. A tight, muscular body – just primed to play basketball. Good God Almighty, I was in trouble … and I’d only just met him!

I figured he was a player. Someone that women found irresistible. Someone who had tons of girls hanging all over him. I decided he wasn’t for me, and we would just let the whole night ride out and never see each other again.

But then he reached over and offered me his hand. “Hello, Yank. I’m Paudie O’Connor.” It was hopeless. I hated to admit it, but I was already falling for him.

He had this killer baritone voice. Men would die for a voice like that. Hell, I died just hearing it. So, I was even more determined I wanted no romantic involvement with this man. It would only lead to trouble, and trouble was something I definitely did not need. No sir.

He smiled at me again, and I felt myself being pulled in. Dammit, Debbie. Get it together!

Later, we went to a bar in downtown Killarney, and he told me how much he loved the Carolina Tarheels. How cool he thought Dean Smith, their legendary coach was. I’m a Tarheel myself - he was intrigued by that. I was intrigued that he was intrigued.

Okay. So he had my attention in a big way. This was 1972, and there were few TVs in Ireland. How did an Irishman know that much about the Heels, then?

How, indeed? I would soon learn that if Paudie put his mind to something, he found a way to know everything about it. And that everything was basketball. God, he was impressive.

As we sat in a booth at the bar, I wanted him to touch me in the worst way.

Paudie seemed to know my desire because he ran his finger along my arm. God, I needed that!

He chuckled as he asked me a question. “Where do you live, Deb? You don’t mind if I call you Deb instead of Debbie, do you?”

Did I MIND? He could call me Pocahontas if he wanted to, and I’d love it!

I was hooked. So very hooked. Just wait until I tell you more.

Stay Tuned for the rest of this post next week …