It was my first day back at school and I was so excited because my class and I were going kayaking down the Blackwater river in Lismore. The instructor was waiting by the side of the river just past the Lismore Bridge with about 20 colourful kayaks shining in the sun. There was loads of
Ever since I was a young girl the sea has been a place that I love. Every summer for as long as long as I remember we’ve spent down in Achill Island. Keel beach is a place that will always be close to my heart- the sound of the lapping wave’s sooth my soul. My
The day dawns fair. I walk out my front door and in five minutes I’m by the sea. The sky is blue and dotted with white clouds, mirrored by the blue of the sea and its ‘white horses’ whipped up by the fresh south-westerly wind. In an instant I have forgotten my cares and concerns.
Dedicated to my Mother who lived on both sides of its shore. Is this the right road for the lake? was a frequent enquiry of my childhood; one that often gave rise to all manner of elaborate descriptions and warnings of diversions to avoid, when really all I needed have said was just follow the
It is a quiet wedding. He enters by the side door and waits for her at the top of the church. She slides up the aisle on the arm of her eldest brother. The swishing of the silk in her dress makes a gentle sound as she passes the empty pews. They vow to love
2006 was the centenary of Fr. Pat O’Loughlin’s arrival in Gurteen. Fr. Pat was a colourful individual, responsible for many projects in the parish, among them, a series of Sunday afternoon dances on the islet at the centre of Loughnahinch Lake. Two boats carried patrons to and from the dances and the all-in fee was
Ní dhéanfaidh mé dearmad go deo ar an lá sin. Bhí mé i mo shui lasmuigh mo teachín ag smaoineamh ar mo lá ag iascaireacht agus ar ghabháil bheag na ronnach. Ní mhairfeadh sé níos mó na cúpla lá agus deir said go mbeidh sé an-stoimúil go luath. Bhí imni orm. D’fheach mé amach chun
Memories & Reflections: Dew covered grass quickly wetting our sockless feet through our open toed sandals, on an early summer morning, my sisters and I made our way to the river. Located at the bottom of a neighbour’s field this was our childhood hide-away. The steep hill down too its cool water, would see us
A white enamel mug with a blue rim sat on a little stone with a tuft of grass shading it. Always turned upside down, ensuring that no insect would invade it, when not in use. This mug had a small chip on the bottom of it exposing a dark rust colour. This colour was similar
Ireland is rich in lakes, and for that we are fortunate. They bring beauty to our countryside, support a fascinating variety of wildlife, and are closely intertwined with our own history and heritage. Ireland is unusual in having many shallow limestone lakes. This story is about these, and some of the things that live in
Aged 15, stuck in an all girls’ secondary school, I couldn’t wait for the day of our GCSE Geography Field Trip. The craic. That’s all we were interested in. Getting into a river was a rare thing for Our Lady’s ladies, and a wild opportunity for the culchies to have a good laugh at us
As I write, it is the 22nd April. The sun is shining, the bees are buzzing, the birds are singing, and the temperature is 19°C. Social isolation is beginning to bite hard. Many of my angling friends are suffering from cabin fever. We must stay within a 2km radius of home. I live in Cahir,
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