It’s been a few weeks since I participated in Poetry Friday. Mostly, that’s because we’ve been getting ready for a vacation and then traveling. Where did we go?
We spent two weeks in Ireland!
Our trip was in three parts:
- Galway – 3 days
- Wilderness Ireland: Hiking Ireland Coast to Coast (a guided and inclusive tour) – 7 days
- Dublin – 3 days
The trip came about last spring when I was planning for us to go to Yosemite and Kings Canyon National Parks in the U.S. We were planning to go in June, and by March, when I looked into it, most places were booked. Plus, my husband and I do not like throngs of people. So, I started to look at going in September.
Yes, September would work. But, I found myself just not excited about the trip.
My husband and I had always talked about doing a hiking trip abroad. So I looked into it. By luck (and research), I found Wilderness Ireland. This is a company that offers numerous trips, all involving outdoor activities like biking or hiking. We booked hiking Ireland Coast to Coast which meant we would start in Galway and end in Dublin, while hiking in three of Ireland’s National Parks and summiting the three highest mountain peaks in Ireland.
After booking, I planned the three days in Galway and three days in Dublin, at the beginning and end of the trip respectively. It was a fantastic trip; I’ve written a few articles about it for Medium. I will attach the free links at the end of this article, so you can read without being a Medium member.
I have not had much time to write poetry but I was inspired by the scenery and hospitality in Ireland. In addition, we were introduced to some Irish music – not in pubs – but in the van while we traveled to our hiking locations. Our hiking guide introduced us to Van Morrison, and the songs “Fields of Athenry” and “It’s a Long Way to Clare From Here,” a ballad by Ralph McTell. Both are beautiful songs, first telling of the historical famine in Ireland and then a tale of emigration.
As we wandered around the countryside during our hiking and attempted mountain ascents visiting locations such as Galway, County Clare, Gort, Killarney, Connemara, the Burren, Mweelra, Wicklow, Glendalough, and Dublin, we were introduced to more Irish history and lore.
Did you know that fairies are considered not good? They do evil things! Homes had red doors and windows to keep them out!
Additionally, we saw busts of and quotes from James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, and others.
The Project Gutenberg EBook of Ancient Irish Poetry, by Various offers a few examples of the spirit of Ireland as I saw it during our visit. I share two of these with you today.
THE VIKING TERROR
Bitter is the wind to-night,
It tosses the ocean's white hair:
To-night I fear not the fierce warriors of Norway
Coursing on the Irish Sea.
THE HOSTS OF FAERY
White shields they carry in their hands,
With emblems of pale silver;
With glittering blue swords,
With mighty stout horns.
In well-devised battle array,
Ahead of their fair chieftain
They march amid blue spears,
Pale-visaged, curly-headed bands.
They scatter the battalions of the foe,
They ravage every land they attack,
Splendidly they march to combat,
A swift, distinguished, avenging host!
No wonder though their strength be great:
Sons of queens and kings are one and all;
On their heads are
Beautiful golden-yellow manes.
With smooth comely bodies,
With bright blue-starred eyes,
With pure crystal teeth,
With thin red lips.
Good they are at man-slaying,
Melodious in the ale-house,
Masterly at making songs,
Skilled at playing fidchell.
***fidchell is a game like chess.
My Medium.com posts on Ireland are available to read FREE at the following links:
Poetry Friday is hosted this week by Linda Baie at Teacher Dance. Thanks for hosting, Linda.
The Apples in My Orchard 
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