THE ROBERT SHEEHAN EXPERIENCE!

ITS GOD OR ROB?!

It feels like only yesterday I was writing about my AWESOME experience of bumping into Brendan and now I'm talking about ROB?! WHAT?! How is it possible that I have actually seen him in the flesh? ( And trust me he is even gorgeouser in person!!) But what I cant get my head around at all is the fact that I MET him..... Well bear hugged him anyway!

It was at times like today, as I stood in my apron over a sink full of dirty dishes in Home Economics class staring out the fogged up window at the misty rotten weather, that it really only began to sink in. It happened so quick but the memory will last a lifetime... So where do I begin?

First of all you're probably wondering why I would refer to god in the title. Well that's part of the story. As you may or not have known, Robbie was going to be in UCD on Tuesday the 24th of September. As soon as I found out he was coming home I started Riverdancing! No obviously not, but could you imagine! Anyway I was immensely happy. After feeling like we'd lost him to Hollywood he returned to the wee Island once more. And a bit out of the blue as well!

Robbie was getting presented with the James Joyce award by the Literary and Historical society in UCD and there was going to be a Q&A. I knew that this was the opportunity to finally get to see him in person! It started at five pm so I knew I'd have to leave school early if I wanted to get in. (The hall could only take 700 people!) I left school at lunch so I could make it on time, but it was ok, it was just mass for the last three classes, hence the title.

Then began the hours journey to Dublin. I got most of my homework done on the way, the things I do for Robbie! But they are soo worth it!
 I honestly didn't think i'd get in because the college had been tweeting all day that it was strictly members only but I thought that even if I didn't get in at least I could say I tried!

At arriving at UCD and the hall where the event would be taking place I was immediately confronted by a ferocious queue. There was a buzz of excitement and anticipation in the air, Roberts face sticking to every billboard and wall but there was that little niggle of doubt that it was too good to be true.....

The stalls where you could buy memberships were situated just outside the entry doors and we were lucky enough to get temporary ones! Winning! We could get in! (Even though I was the youngest and smallest there) It was a success! But the queue was another thing. We joined what was the back then, and hoped for the best. Remember only 700 could get in! I took pity on all the lost souls wandering down to join the mile long queue, although we weren't In a much better position!

Okay, so I don't want to bore you any longer but we did get in and I saw the Q&A! I could barely contain my excitement! It was all so surreal. When he walked out I almost DIED!! I had no idea that in less than 2 hours I would near or less die...!

Robbie was his usual charmingly interesting self. He had the audience's undivided attention and likewise with him. He told manys a tale about Nicolas Cage to our amusement and there was a lot of leprechaun talk and sex scenes with a 82 year old woman mentioned but any of you who have partaken in our #Sheehanathons and have watched "Young Blades" - A show he did when he was around 16 in Vancouver - will have been happy to know that one of our favourite characters that he's ever played, King Louis the 14th, had a special wee mention also!

When it was all over, it felt like no time had passed at all and Robbie leaves you with a lust for more breath-taking stories and the occasional witty comment thrown in for good measure. But sadly, it was time to say goodbye *Cue Music* Just kidding. But it really was over or so I thought....

When we were leaving the curiosity got the better of us, we asked someone from the society which exit Robbie would be leaving through, they said round the back. I was trying to stay positive but I knew the chances of meeting him would be very slim but I never knew it would be so easy! As we approached some stairs we were blocked by a very forward going girl who announced the sad reality, that we weren't allowed up and had to stay in the foyer. After that it was all a blur, everything happened so quick. My heart was beating madly just as I saw Brendan and THE REAL MRS SHEEHAN come down the stairs! Honestly, Brendan is a miracle sent from above! Even though I skipped mass someone was clearly looking out for me!  

I'm sure you know that I've met Bren before but here's a wee reminder...(Note the Darren like hoodie)

So me and my mam freaked Again! (Sorry Bren, I know were such stalkers!) and started waving and calling him over! And thankfully he did! He recognised us straight away! I couldn't believe it! And then his mammy came over! The both of them were so pleasant and kind and i'll never forget what Mrs Sheehan said to me (Or the jist of it anyway) :

" Oh your The Sheehab girl! It was so nice what you wrote about my son (Bren) You should be a journalist!"

So there you have it folks, if I go on to be a major successful journalist or even nab my own James Joyce award, I have Mrs Sheehan to thank! Seriously can this family be any more amazing!?

Here's me chatting away to Bren and the mammy, that I don't even notice that Robbie is standing just 2 metres away from me...!!!!!!
I freaked. Just saw him and my stomach dropped. I'll put the hysterical crying down to the fact that I had been containing all the excitement and anxiousness before hand and it literally EXPLODED! I'm ashamed I cried so much but I couldn't stop!  Thats the Gods honest truth! When he saw me crying he looked a little confused but Bren quickly informed him on who I was. And then i'll never forget what he said:

"Oooh Yeah The Sheehab! Your the girl who chased my brother down Grafton Street!"

Then he walked over with his arms reached out!!! I just grabbed him and held on for dear life! I had no idea what was happening or what anyone was saying it was like that for 10 seconds,  I was in a world of my own!!! Its the feeling when nothing else matters and all your dreams are coming true right before your eyes ( Which were all blury from the tears mind you, so I couldn't see much!)

But I do remember one thing Robbie said while we were hugging :

Awww Rachel, Don't cry!"

HOW ADORABLE IS THAT!!?? LIKE HOW CAN HE BE ANY MORE PERFECT!? But I didn't really stop crying because that only made it worse!
(I'm proud to be known as the "Girl who chased Robbie's brother down Grafton Street" btw!)

I had to edit it so much because I was crying! I know, I know....My eyebrows look so weird....

This one sums up my emotions and how I felt at that moment in time....!! Look at Robbie's face though! You can make out him laughing!

W.O.W ! Eventful last couple of days! But I finally got down to writing this. I would like to thank Mrs Sheehan for the wonderful compliments, Robbie for being, well Robbie! and having the patience to take a photo with a hysterical crying teenage girl and of course to Bren for being an absolute star!!
Hope you enjoyed reading this -Especially if you go by the names of Bren, Robbie and Mrs Sheehan - as much as I enjoyed writing it!
Rachel XxX :)