They Write Songs About This Island

Ireland has an exceptionally rich cultural history, and I think I am beginning to understand why.

 

Indiana Jones allusions abound at Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.

 

It is an astonishingly beautiful island. My theory goes like this:



View from an ancient hill fort in County Donegal, Ireland
(Photo Credit: Suzanne Huffine)

When the weather is nice, everyone wanders around outside, exploring green fields, ancient ruins, dramatic cliffs that look out over the sea. 



 

 



Panoramic view of the Causeway Coast

The potential for creative inspiration is evident. The spectacular Causeway Coast gave rise to a whole mythology surrounding a bridge-building giant named Finn.





Ancient hill fort in County Donegal, Ireland.
 (Handsomeness Credit: Keith Thompson)



Dunluce Castle, Northern Ireland

 

 

While visiting Dunluce Castle (pictured above left), my imagination could not resist filling the castle with songs, banquets, royal drama, and maybe even a troll. 

St. Columb's Cathedral, Derry, Northern Ireland

 

 

 

But if it was sunny every day we would have a problem. With all the strolling, exploring, and imagining, nobody would bother to sit and pen a poem or a song.

 

 

 

 

And that's where the rain comes in. It's true that it makes the grass green and occasionally treats us with a rainbow. But it also allows the people of Ireland to release the beauty impressed on their imagination onto a page, or in a song. Or perhaps I just need a reason to not hate the rain.

 

 

 

An ancient church and cemetery near. Rostrevor, Northern Ireland
(Photo Credit: Suzanne Huffine)