I am so happy to say participating in a writer’s retreat in Ireland, more specifically the Aran Islands is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
There were 12
women from all over the world, from places like Portugal, Panama, Montana,
South Africa and California, Tennessee, England, and our leader, Irene Graham
from Ireland. Everyone flew into Galway and took the ferry to Inis Mor.
Irene has
created an awesome method and format for teaching. Merged with her casual and
practical style, she effectively brings across “how to write a story”
In between
workshops, we walked and hiked the beautiful Irish countryside. Our guide was Dara
Malloy, a wonderful man who knows the Irish landscape like the back of his
hand. Dara was once a Catholic priest
and now calls himself a Celtic Priest/Monk. He is married with children. He
studies Celtic mythology and celebrates it with Pre-Christian rituals.
The most beautiful hike of all was to the top of Dun Aonghasa. Dun Aonghasa dates back to 1100 B.C. and is the most famous of several prehistoric forts. It lies on Inishmore at the edge of a 100 metre high cliff. You'll see from the pictures how one would feel on top of the world looking out over the Great and Wild Atlantic.
The most beautiful hike of all was to the top of Dun Aonghasa. Dun Aonghasa dates back to 1100 B.C. and is the most famous of several prehistoric forts. It lies on Inishmore at the edge of a 100 metre high cliff. You'll see from the pictures how one would feel on top of the world looking out over the Great and Wild Atlantic.
One of the events that took place in the midst of our writing retreat was a renewal of wedding vows. Riana and Johann, the couple from South Africa were on holiday together, they’ve been married 14 years and decided to renew their vows while in Ireland. Dara in all his loveliness officiated over the ceremony. Riana invited the 11 of us in the writing group to join them as her bridesmaids. It was held outside at an ancient church that dates back to the 7th century.
Inis Mor is
the largest of the three Aran Islands, located on the West of Ireland off the coast of Galway. It's about 8 miles long and 2 1/2 miles wide. There are 14 villages and three
cemeteries. We stayed at the “Kilmurvey Place” a lovely big bed and
breakfast home. There are a few shops, restaurants and pubs, and it appears everyone
knows one another. Population on the island is about 840. As you’ll see in the pictures below, Inis Mor is an amazing
beauty.
We also
spent two days in Doolin. We were scheduled to take the ferry from Inis Mor to Doolin at
the end of the week, however due to gale winds and rain showing up that night and early
morning the ferry was cancelled. After we arrived by bus, and saw the port the ferry would have come into we were grateful it was cancelled. Due to the weather we missed the walk through the Burren as planned but the Cliffs of Moher the next day, more than made up for it. The weather in Ireland has been known to change from minute to minute.
Saying good-bye
was certainly the hardest part of the trip. There we were, all
of us with hundreds of pictures, emails exchanged and a story to write. We all
promised to stay in touch, there was no doubt we had made friends for a
lifetime.
I am still in awe of the fact that I spent the past week with such amazing
women. All who have traveled, toured the world, to many places I too have been but so many more I have yet to discover.
Wise women, passionate women, and oh such funny women… Never… ever have I laughed like this before. (you know who you are.)
Wise women, passionate women, and oh such funny women… Never… ever have I laughed like this before. (you know who you are.)
Women who
not only grace others with their presence as they walk through life but have
made themselves part of this wonderful world we live in.
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