Hi Matthew, Have you ever been to Brighid’s well in Donegal? The statue of Brighid is enclosed in what looks like a telephone box!
I know you liked Clare, but wondered if you had been further up the coast? I mixed you up with another Matthew earlier, then remembered you telling me about the Uilleann pipes and that pub in Clare.
I made it only as far as Rossnowlagh in Donegal. In Ballyshannon there is a well shrine to St. Patrick and the ancient Catsby cave. From there my family and I cut across Ulster to the causeway coast. In Belfast there is a beautiful statue of St. Brigid, in the parish of her name near the Ulster museum and Botanical gardens. This a lovely walk around and through the botanical gardens to the remains of an old ring fort called the giant's ring, the walk is around 1hr 30min. From Belfast we went on to Bru na Boinne in county Meath. County Donegal is where I hope to focus my next visit to Ireland!
The voice you gave to the Woman of Beara was beautiful, something I heard carried on the wind there in County Cork. Unfortunately I missed that section of Cork on my way from an old manor house near Carrigahdrohid, on the plain of Crom, where the old gods were feasted. Beara, another place I hope to see when I return to Ireland.
Part 2 on Saturday has the Woman of Beara appear again and this time with a poem I wrote as a young girl and changed again in my teenage years. I wished to put the entire story up but it was a tad too long for the emails apparently, hence it is in two parts. There are two frozen stones attributed to the Woman of Beara... one overlooking the Skelligs and another in a different vicinity. The Plain of Crom is definitely haunted. I love Cork and Dingle Bay and the whole South West of the island. Apparently part of it missed an Ice Age! They found giant human bones there! xx
yes I do...I have some rare books of Ireland and know the poetry of Amergin, using the same metres in my own poetry. I wrote a trilogy on Cormac macAirt and researched many tales, in mythology and history, traipsing all over the Island and the western isles, digging up amethysts on Achill Isle... finding the magic of the land. There are few places I have not found, yet still I learn more. x
This story again....explores themes of gender dynamics, prejudice, and the struggle for individuality within a traditional and patriarchal society. I couldn't care less about Pat or individuals who contribute to patriarchy and the nonsense that perpetuates ignorance and fear among people. Nothing, be it churches, patriarchy, matriarchy, or any societal construct, will ever prevent individuals from being true to themselves and pursuing who they truly want to be. NOTHING!!!!!
I love your comment. I edited this piece a thousand times to get it across through all the divides and still make it magical. I am glad you understood it. ***
I hope you enjoy Part 2 that I will put up this weekend. I had to arrange it in two parts because it was too long for email. I have The King-Making ready to go to you, the second book of Cormac. ***
Hi Matthew, Have you ever been to Brighid’s well in Donegal? The statue of Brighid is enclosed in what looks like a telephone box!
I know you liked Clare, but wondered if you had been further up the coast? I mixed you up with another Matthew earlier, then remembered you telling me about the Uilleann pipes and that pub in Clare.
Hi Dwina,
I made it only as far as Rossnowlagh in Donegal. In Ballyshannon there is a well shrine to St. Patrick and the ancient Catsby cave. From there my family and I cut across Ulster to the causeway coast. In Belfast there is a beautiful statue of St. Brigid, in the parish of her name near the Ulster museum and Botanical gardens. This a lovely walk around and through the botanical gardens to the remains of an old ring fort called the giant's ring, the walk is around 1hr 30min. From Belfast we went on to Bru na Boinne in county Meath. County Donegal is where I hope to focus my next visit to Ireland!
Thank you Matthew for liking Dancing on the Full Door. I have enjoyed your writings and replies with Romaric Jannel too. ***
The voice you gave to the Woman of Beara was beautiful, something I heard carried on the wind there in County Cork. Unfortunately I missed that section of Cork on my way from an old manor house near Carrigahdrohid, on the plain of Crom, where the old gods were feasted. Beara, another place I hope to see when I return to Ireland.
Part 2 on Saturday has the Woman of Beara appear again and this time with a poem I wrote as a young girl and changed again in my teenage years. I wished to put the entire story up but it was a tad too long for the emails apparently, hence it is in two parts. There are two frozen stones attributed to the Woman of Beara... one overlooking the Skelligs and another in a different vicinity. The Plain of Crom is definitely haunted. I love Cork and Dingle Bay and the whole South West of the island. Apparently part of it missed an Ice Age! They found giant human bones there! xx
I did not know there were giant bones found in Co. Kerry! Dwina, do you know of the Leabhar Gabhála Éireann and The Song of Amergin?
yes I do...I have some rare books of Ireland and know the poetry of Amergin, using the same metres in my own poetry. I wrote a trilogy on Cormac macAirt and researched many tales, in mythology and history, traipsing all over the Island and the western isles, digging up amethysts on Achill Isle... finding the magic of the land. There are few places I have not found, yet still I learn more. x
This story again....explores themes of gender dynamics, prejudice, and the struggle for individuality within a traditional and patriarchal society. I couldn't care less about Pat or individuals who contribute to patriarchy and the nonsense that perpetuates ignorance and fear among people. Nothing, be it churches, patriarchy, matriarchy, or any societal construct, will ever prevent individuals from being true to themselves and pursuing who they truly want to be. NOTHING!!!!!
I love your comment. I edited this piece a thousand times to get it across through all the divides and still make it magical. I am glad you understood it. ***
I am starting part II!
Thank you Dwina you bring the landscape and the culture alive, so evocative xx
I hope you enjoy Part 2 that I will put up this weekend. I had to arrange it in two parts because it was too long for email. I have The King-Making ready to go to you, the second book of Cormac. ***
Oh wonderful I hope we get to meet in Oxford this coming month xx
So lovely to read this again. I like the new parts very much.
It took quite a bit of editing! Enjoyed the journey though. Xx
Amazing so far... very evocative... looking forward to part two.
Editing as we speak xx
There it is ! Wonderful writing with reflects both the history and mythology of Ireland. Can’t wait for part two!
Trying to do an audio also... xxx thank you John, I have re reading your poems. Magical. Xx
You have a great voice, Dwina..it would be nice...