After a long day of sightseeing at Castle Coole and Enniskillen Castle, the light rain finally stopped. On the way home, I asked to stop at St. Patrick’s Holy Well in Belcoo, Northern Ireland. I promised my husband a 99 (icecream) after we made the stop at the small pilgrimage site.

Unexpectedly, we hit a curb shortly after we made the turn. By the time we parked across from the well, we already had a flat tire. The rental didn’t come with a spare (that would make sense) and the fix a flat wouldn’t work on the sidewall.

Stressed I walked across the street to the Holy Well. The Spring bubbled continuously. It was cool under the leaves. I was hyper aware of the tokens left to petition for health and good fortune. After several deep breaths, I rejoined the fray.

I called the rental agency at Shannon airport and explained our dilemma. Instead of help, I received “how did you get this number?” I replied that it was on our rental agreement and that we had purchased full coverage with emergency roadside assistance. Instead of help I received, “the number for emergencies is on your key fob.“ click.

I had walked about a quarter mile to receive cell service and now walked back to get the key. No number, just a QR code….which only works if you have working WiFi or cellular data. We were out of range. I called the rental company and received the same hostile voice telling me how busy he was. I explained that we were not at a place where I could access the number. He grumbled but got me a number to call.

This time I got a pleasant woman who asked if we were safe and was the car off the roadway. Finally, someone who cared. She asked lots of questions, took tire details and then asked location. She couldn’t find us. I gave her detailed info and added that we were just over the border in Northern Ireland and that we had purchased the cross border supplement. She told me to stop talking and that she would transfer me somewhere else. The phone went dead. I called back the number but no one answered. I started walking toward town. It was getting late and we needed help. Perhaps I could borrow a phone book or get cellular data service further down the road.

My phone rang. It was service for Northern Ireland. Their advice was to call AAA. “I am not a triple A member. What will I say?” I was advised to tell them that I had purchased full coverage insurance and they would appear and fix the car. With much skepticism, I called the number provided. It was out of service. It was also out of service the next five times I called. The service stopped taking my calls.

It was now ten minutes to five. I had been trying for 1.5 hours to get help. As a last resort, I said a prayer and called a tire service in Enniskillen. The man was polite and understanding but said he didn’t have anyone to send, but thought he knew someone in Belcoo. He would give me his number.

At this point, I broke down and begged him to make the call for me. My battery was almost dead and I had been shuffled so many times. I was desperate. In his lovely Irish way, he told me he would sort it.

I returned to the well. It was peaceful and serene. If I had to spend the night here, it wouldn’t be so bad. The trickling water soothed my frazzled nerves. St. Patrick’s well soothed. I watched a local couple (the first people we saw) fill a water jug to take with them. They asked if they could help. I told them we thought help may be coming.

Within fifteen minutes a man pulled up in a truck. He had the tire off in five and promised to be back with a new one in ten. He was true to his word. Kind, confident and efficient. My kind of man. When we asked what we owed, he gave a price much lower than I expected and apologized saying that we were paying extra for the call out. We thanked him and gave him a generous tip. Heroes never want the recognition and he tried to give it back. We insisted.

I thanked St. Patrick in goodbye and we started down the road for ice cream…..which my husband promptly managed to get all over the interior of the car and all over me…..but that is a story for another day.

Ps: Despite paying Budget Car Rental over $1000 extra for full coverage and roadside assistance we were left to sort a serious problem on our own. We got no help from the rental counter or the emergency services. We were also not reimbursed because in the stress and confusion I did not ask for a receipt. Mea Culpa. I will not be renting from Budget again. Had we been injured or without calling capability I don’t know what we would have done. We were saved by the kindness of strangers to whom I am very grateful.