De Sathrain July 23
Four hour hike starting in the hidden glen about 500 yards from my flat. The entrance to it is on the Glen Lane hidden from view by a thick undergrowth. The unobserving passerby drives by each day on the lane. Is this not true for life too? what beauty we miss when dont explore or excavate!
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Visit to Wye, Kent
"Star" Thomas (white shirt in front) taking a bow in 6th year school production of Zoom. Thomas played the role of the Tortoise and was just fabulous!Had an opportunity to travel over to Kent to see nephew Thomas in his school play.
Spend a few days there with the Millers: sister Fiona, Robert, Claire and Thomas. On Wednesday, the Wimbledon MacD's came down to Kent, brother Ter, Val and niece Catherine came to see the play and we had a "star" party after the show.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Megalithic Tombs at Carrowkeel near Ballymote
As I approach Carrowkeel, I am in awe of the hills and sense of sacred – they seem to speak loud to all who come in to walk the ground. Resources http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/313720.stmA series of cairns criss cross the hills tops – there are about 14 cairns in all. I spent the whole afternoon with three of the most accessible. These cairns were built between 3000 and 2000 BC, using limestone. Each has a large interior with limestone roofs. I feel no inclination to enter these sacred spaces – rather honor and offer prayer and ritual outside. Who entered these sacred places with the dead? Did the people outside celebrate and dance marking life’s passages? One cairn (G) has a “lightbox” similar to the lightbox at New Grange (Brú na Boinne). The lightbox allows the light of the sun to enter for a month on either side of the Summer Solistice and the light of the moon to enter for a month on either side of the Winter Solistice. I am in awe of what I am seeing. How does one carry the sacred? attend to the moment? and connect with the ancient ones?
Visit to Carrowkeel
One cairn (G) has a “lightbox” similar to the lightbox at New Grange (Brú na Boinne). The lightbox allows the light of the sun to enter for a month on either side of the Summer Solistice and the light of the moon to enter for a month on either side of the Winter Solistice.
Entrance to Tomb at Carrowkeel
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Mist over Maeves Cairn
The day after visiting my new little grand daughter Maeve born in Drogheda - I returned to Sligo.One of the first things I did was to take a hike up the mountain Knocknarea to Queen Maeve's tomb..... it is reported that the mythical Queen Maeve, an ancient Irish warrior queen is buried atop Knocknarea.
As I was walking up the mountain path, a heavy mist formed blanketing the hill and creating a special aura around me. I continued with my climb feeling that I was meant to be there even though it was not clear where the edges to the climb began or ended. The mist got so heavy I could not see 20 feet in front of me ... as I approached the top of the hill, I was completed shrouded in mist all around me. The air was still and damp; It was so quiet. when out of the mist in front of me there arose the shape of the cairn or tomb mound as if speaking to me (see photo). I was alone except for a singing bird that seemed to come from out of nowwhere. The singing started as I was standing there ... a wistful and sweet sound.
In prayer I walked once around the cairn full circle - having no desire to climb up the hill of stones. It seemed as if the spirits were fully there. I felt a deep respect and love for the myth and ancient story ... buiochas le De... in thankfullness for Maeve and her new sweet life. She will bring goodness to this world....
Queen Maeve's Tomb - the cairn the top of Knocknarea
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Welcome to Maeve!
The first visit with Maeve - Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda
A little welcome poem:
Maeve – Cáilin na Gruaige Dubh
Born July 4, 2005
Holding you in my arms
the day after you were born
You were still in the darkness of birth sleep, and yet
With the rise and fall of your breathing,
I felt
the beauty and strength and
warmth of your spirit soul.
As you nestled asleep in my arms
my heart listened
to the gentle soft beat from within you.
Your dark haired head full of strength has
led you through birth to life.
The first of many journeys you will take on your own
but never alone
Tired out
you lie sleeping in your tiny bed
We silently look on you with hearts filled with joy
on your sweetly formed mouth and face
celebrating the mystery of life begun afresh again in you
Mamó
A little welcome poem:
Maeve – Cáilin na Gruaige Dubh
Born July 4, 2005
Holding you in my arms
the day after you were born
You were still in the darkness of birth sleep, and yet
With the rise and fall of your breathing,
I felt
the beauty and strength and
warmth of your spirit soul.
As you nestled asleep in my arms
my heart listened
to the gentle soft beat from within you.
Your dark haired head full of strength has
led you through birth to life.
The first of many journeys you will take on your own
but never alone
Tired out
you lie sleeping in your tiny bed
We silently look on you with hearts filled with joy
on your sweetly formed mouth and face
celebrating the mystery of life begun afresh again in you
Mamó
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Saturday Dé Sathrain
My day started with watching a bird hop acrss the grass and path from my front window as I am starting to pack and leave Glen Colm Cille for Sligo. I light a candle to connect and prayer. I cannot help watch this bird who seems to be saying this is what I am doing – the hopping and connecting with my surroundings.
On my way out of Glen Colmcille, I stop at the church to light three candles. One for Matt, Kristin, and baby. Matt has called me Kristin went into labor and then it stopped.
A Thiarna
Go gcaithe an coinneaí seo solas dom
In am an ghatair agus cinnúna
Go raibh sé ina thine agat a dhofaidh díom
Smál an diomas, an leithleachais, agus na mígheanmnaíocha
Go raibh sé ina laisair
Go bhfearas do theochroí is theach a m’ucht
Do mo chlann, mo chommharsana agus doibh siud a geastar orm
Trí idirghuí na Maighdine Muire
Cuirin faoi do choimirce
Iad siúd is cuimhneach liom go háirithe
Ní thig liom fanacht anse I bhfad leact I do dtheach
Is mian liom giota díom fein a thabhairt duit
Cuidigh liom leatsan leis and ghuí seo
I ngach rud a dheanaim inniu
is ro-deachcar cinnúna ata agam – I conaí I c’en aith?
I arrive at Knocknarea exactly at 3:00 p.m. to meet Michael Middleton who is renting this little flat to me. We have tea and strawberries. I learn more about who he is. This is really an unusal situation. Am I meant to be here - is this the edge place for me to connect between two worlds?
The rest of the time is a settling in time. I travel down to Sligo to shop for supper. On my way I see a double rainbow.
I am settled even if not fully unpacked.
My day started with watching a bird hop acrss the grass and path from my front window as I am starting to pack and leave Glen Colm Cille for Sligo. I light a candle to connect and prayer. I cannot help watch this bird who seems to be saying this is what I am doing – the hopping and connecting with my surroundings.
On my way out of Glen Colmcille, I stop at the church to light three candles. One for Matt, Kristin, and baby. Matt has called me Kristin went into labor and then it stopped.
A Thiarna
Go gcaithe an coinneaí seo solas dom
In am an ghatair agus cinnúna
Go raibh sé ina thine agat a dhofaidh díom
Smál an diomas, an leithleachais, agus na mígheanmnaíocha
Go raibh sé ina laisair
Go bhfearas do theochroí is theach a m’ucht
Do mo chlann, mo chommharsana agus doibh siud a geastar orm
Trí idirghuí na Maighdine Muire
Cuirin faoi do choimirce
Iad siúd is cuimhneach liom go háirithe
Ní thig liom fanacht anse I bhfad leact I do dtheach
Is mian liom giota díom fein a thabhairt duit
Cuidigh liom leatsan leis and ghuí seo
I ngach rud a dheanaim inniu
is ro-deachcar cinnúna ata agam – I conaí I c’en aith?
I arrive at Knocknarea exactly at 3:00 p.m. to meet Michael Middleton who is renting this little flat to me. We have tea and strawberries. I learn more about who he is. This is really an unusal situation. Am I meant to be here - is this the edge place for me to connect between two worlds?
The rest of the time is a settling in time. I travel down to Sligo to shop for supper. On my way I see a double rainbow.
I am settled even if not fully unpacked.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Oideas Gael
Looking across the glen in Glen Colm Cille to the cluster of houses to the colaiste (college) at Oideas Gael. The river Merylen flows in front out into the Atlantic just to the right in the photo.OIdeas Gael June 2005
Thursday Déardaoin
Sat on the bed this morning, in front of the window ledge where I have made a little altar. The altar has a candle, the cross from Midland, and the love figurine symbol of my relationship and love with Jon. Reading the card Jon gave me when I left, I moved my eyes towards Sliabh Bhiofáin agus Gharbhrios. It struck me that this mountain is shaped very similar to the one I was transported to in a night time journey. I watched the clouds gather and creep up and across the mountain changing the colors and bringing light and darkness to the ridges and crevices of the mountain......
“ look to this day for it is life,
In its brief course lie all
the realities and truths of existence,
the joy of growth, the glory of action,
the splendor of beauty….
today well lived makes every
yesterday a memory of happiness
and every tomorrow a vision of hope,
look well, therefore to this day….”
-ancient Sanskrit proverb
Another intense learning day in class. Seo muinteor go thar barr, ar dóigh (excellent).
Sat on the bed this morning, in front of the window ledge where I have made a little altar. The altar has a candle, the cross from Midland, and the love figurine symbol of my relationship and love with Jon. Reading the card Jon gave me when I left, I moved my eyes towards Sliabh Bhiofáin agus Gharbhrios. It struck me that this mountain is shaped very similar to the one I was transported to in a night time journey. I watched the clouds gather and creep up and across the mountain changing the colors and bringing light and darkness to the ridges and crevices of the mountain......
“ look to this day for it is life,
In its brief course lie all
the realities and truths of existence,
the joy of growth, the glory of action,
the splendor of beauty….
today well lived makes every
yesterday a memory of happiness
and every tomorrow a vision of hope,
look well, therefore to this day….”
-ancient Sanskrit proverb
Another intense learning day in class. Seo muinteor go thar barr, ar dóigh (excellent).
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Class Group at Oideas Gael June 2005
Class Group at Oideas Gael taking evening walk before adjourning to "Biddys" for ceol agus craic or a tradional music session
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Started my day feeling the power of angels surrounding me alleviating my fear about driving. Woke up around 5 and dozed back again. This is my last breakfast here at the Iona bed and breakfast in Sligo - its time to move on.
Stopped in Donegal town to shop for supplies. Meant to buy a little radio but when it came down to it I could not be bothered to stop again. The towns in Ireland are so congested I want to flee them. The search is never ending in the towns for disc parking and finding your way around the maze of one way streets. I was glad to leave Donegal behind me
At the Clock Tower Restaurant in Fintra, I pull over to get a bite to eat when I had this feeling come over me that the place has pain surrounding it. Then I read in a little booklet that the land belonged to the Hamilton family who had been planted here in the 16th century. The stones used for the clock tower came from the stables. Maybe I heard the cries of the horses of the people of the land groaning.
I move onto to Glen Colm Cille. Here I will stay for the next two weeeks. Thankfully, my cell phone works so I can stay in touch with Jon with text messaging. This is good. We were talking (aka texting) when one of my room mates for the week comes in. Her name is Joan. Another one is due tomorrow. We are sharing Teach Foinse next door to the Cistin and the OIdeas Gael college. Joan and I work our way through an article written in gaeilge – Sasamh agus Stadas (Satisfaction and Status) about the naming of Gaeilge as one of the official EU languages. Joan is proficient and we read one paragraph at a time, she translating and me struggling through the translations.
Ta Luchair agus gliondar (delight and joy) ar mo croi inniu, a chairde…
Later in the evening we do a mini pub crawl to Roriaty’s – atrocious red wine , and then onto Biddies’ and this time I take an excellent pint of Guinness. Sitting next to us are an older couple – they could be husband and wife or brother and sister. They are sitting there no drinks in front of them (why did nt I offer to buy a drink?) a missed opportunity. They have basic English skills and try to converse with us much as I would do speaking gaeilge with a native speaking. What did I learn? To be more of a pilgrim?
Stopped in Donegal town to shop for supplies. Meant to buy a little radio but when it came down to it I could not be bothered to stop again. The towns in Ireland are so congested I want to flee them. The search is never ending in the towns for disc parking and finding your way around the maze of one way streets. I was glad to leave Donegal behind me
At the Clock Tower Restaurant in Fintra, I pull over to get a bite to eat when I had this feeling come over me that the place has pain surrounding it. Then I read in a little booklet that the land belonged to the Hamilton family who had been planted here in the 16th century. The stones used for the clock tower came from the stables. Maybe I heard the cries of the horses of the people of the land groaning.
I move onto to Glen Colm Cille. Here I will stay for the next two weeeks. Thankfully, my cell phone works so I can stay in touch with Jon with text messaging. This is good. We were talking (aka texting) when one of my room mates for the week comes in. Her name is Joan. Another one is due tomorrow. We are sharing Teach Foinse next door to the Cistin and the OIdeas Gael college. Joan and I work our way through an article written in gaeilge – Sasamh agus Stadas (Satisfaction and Status) about the naming of Gaeilge as one of the official EU languages. Joan is proficient and we read one paragraph at a time, she translating and me struggling through the translations.
Ta Luchair agus gliondar (delight and joy) ar mo croi inniu, a chairde…
Later in the evening we do a mini pub crawl to Roriaty’s – atrocious red wine , and then onto Biddies’ and this time I take an excellent pint of Guinness. Sitting next to us are an older couple – they could be husband and wife or brother and sister. They are sitting there no drinks in front of them (why did nt I offer to buy a drink?) a missed opportunity. They have basic English skills and try to converse with us much as I would do speaking gaeilge with a native speaking. What did I learn? To be more of a pilgrim?
Monday, June 06, 2005
On my Way
Checked in- at O Hare, Chicago. Jon dropped me off and then headed back to Ann Arbor. Do we realize what we have embarked on as a couple and as individuals. This is going to impact both of us. Trust in the blessings... and up up and away...
An seú lá de mhí Mheithimh
Arrival day in Dublin: Monday June 6.
Here I am landed once again in Dublin. What a great word landed! It describes my search where is it that I need to land? Or be landed? This search began almost the day I left living in Ireland 45 years ago after my Father’s death. I exiled through Belfast on a hot summer day in June 1960. Today, I return in a different way from all my previous trips here. I am a pilgrim seeking what it means to live between two lands – idir dhá tire? Cén fad áith?
My plane was delayed leaving Chicago for over an hour and so I did not arrive in till after 10:00 a.m What is a little delay of an hour I have waited 45 years to do this! It is totally unclear to me what lessons I am to learn and what changes will occur in my life, what is only important at this point is that I start the journey.
Standing waiting for my bags, I recall looking at my watch and seeing it was 10:30, and thinking what am I doing? What do I intend for this journey? Eventually the bags come through and I stack them up on a cart. What strikes me is the high technology of the flat screen monitor against the back drop of a dingy baggage hall. There is nothing fancy about this arrival hall where millions pass through.
As I come out the doors, there is Matt waiting off to the side in a sea of other faces some eagerly looking, others with a resigned look of unfeigned boredom. All faces are pointing in the direction of the exit doors from the custom area. Matt’s chatter starts at once. His exuberace and life energy is catching. Walking out to the car, I say to myself slow down and absorb what it means to connect. I have a huge cloak to remove – the whole mantle of “getting things done” and being productive. More lessons to come I feel or is it fear?
Arrival day in Dublin: Monday June 6.
Here I am landed once again in Dublin. What a great word landed! It describes my search where is it that I need to land? Or be landed? This search began almost the day I left living in Ireland 45 years ago after my Father’s death. I exiled through Belfast on a hot summer day in June 1960. Today, I return in a different way from all my previous trips here. I am a pilgrim seeking what it means to live between two lands – idir dhá tire? Cén fad áith?
My plane was delayed leaving Chicago for over an hour and so I did not arrive in till after 10:00 a.m What is a little delay of an hour I have waited 45 years to do this! It is totally unclear to me what lessons I am to learn and what changes will occur in my life, what is only important at this point is that I start the journey.
Standing waiting for my bags, I recall looking at my watch and seeing it was 10:30, and thinking what am I doing? What do I intend for this journey? Eventually the bags come through and I stack them up on a cart. What strikes me is the high technology of the flat screen monitor against the back drop of a dingy baggage hall. There is nothing fancy about this arrival hall where millions pass through.
As I come out the doors, there is Matt waiting off to the side in a sea of other faces some eagerly looking, others with a resigned look of unfeigned boredom. All faces are pointing in the direction of the exit doors from the custom area. Matt’s chatter starts at once. His exuberace and life energy is catching. Walking out to the car, I say to myself slow down and absorb what it means to connect. I have a huge cloak to remove – the whole mantle of “getting things done” and being productive. More lessons to come I feel or is it fear?
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