Ireland

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, here are a few words I wrote on the day I dared the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland, May 2014.

Each day I think to myself that there could be nothing better in the next day – for 10 days I’ve been wrong. Everything about this emerald isle is beautiful, and rich, and ancient. There are moments walking to or from the village that I wonder if I haven’t been thrown back in time. The ancient stone fences, thousands year old farms untouched by time, and even the walls that hold up the roof under which I lay my head speak of centuries passed. The spirit of those who were first here thrive in the people who still inhabit the countryside today.

At every turn I experience profound beauty. I try to capture it with a picture, but I know the image will never come close to the unexplainable magnificence of it all. 

You must live Ireland, and breathe her in deeply, for she will not let you capture her in attempt to take her with you. She stands boldly and desperately alone. She takes no pity on those who are too weak to withstand her position, but for those who are strong with her, she rewards by offering rolling hills of green, brilliant sunsets, captivating vistas, and rest after a long day. She offers you fresh sea air, and a peace transcendent.  

Today she gave me the Cliffs of Moher, a frighteningly majestic glimpse of what “the ends of earth” would look like if there ever were such a thing. The sheer finality of the cliffs demand a great respect and humility from all who walk her edges. It’s quite the nearest thing to holding death’s hand whilst being in perfect health. I will never, in all my days, forget the perfect panic that gripped me as I gambled with Moher…

Any words I could write would never be able to capture these moments in Ireland fully. This is where God lives, and there is no sense in trying to describe heaven. You may only know it if you go there yourself. 

Whether it’s Ireland or some other place, I pray the ones I love will someday be able to live this kind of earthly magic. That the ones I love can know, in this way, God’s magnificent hand, his beautiful mind, and his desire to indulge the senses he so cleverly bestowed on us.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, and drink the wild air.” Was he here when he penned such a clever prescription?

Since I cannot bring her home, I hope and pray that I’ll remember the serenity she gave me as I soaked in her sunshine, walked along her sea shores, and breathed in every last bit of her that I could hold. 

I will be back to visit the part of my heart that I will have left here when I must go.

Cliffs of Moher – 700 feet down and you’ll be swimming in the Atlantic. Liscannor, IE

Watch out!

Strong cuppa after a long day of travel – Adare Village, IE

Our sweeter-than-sugar innkeeper, Flossie. We only spent 2 nights in her Inn, but we left feeling like family. Love, love, love! Adare Village, IE

Our thatched roof cottage in Doolin, IE, with a castle tower and the Atlantic Ocean in the front yard.

Me discovering a “super magical fairy path into the enchanted forest”. But seriously, it was a gorgeous path that led us into the woods and to a lovely waterfall. Killarney Nat’l Park.

Killarney National Park, Killarney, IE. Drop dead gorgeous park that we spent several days exploring.

This is a real place, y’all. Killarney National Park.

Dingle, Ireland. The most beautiful place I have ever experienced. My time in Dingle was pure magic.

The PERFECT spot for afternoon tea

Me, Rio (the innkeeper’s pooch) and the Dingle Bay. This was our last day here and I was trying to soak up as much as I could before taking off.

Sleigh Head Drive, Dingle Peninsula

Sleigh Head Drive – just sitting on the edge of a cliff. No big deal.

Coumeenole Beach, Sleigh Head Drive. A nice old German man insisted that we stop for a smooch.

Dingle at dusk

Dingle Sea Salt ice cream for the win!!!

Till next time, Ireland. Hope to see you soon!