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Mary Heseltine's avatar

Another lyrical piece! Your beautiful writing brings me much joy.

The three lighthouses are still so evocative. We’ve heard curlews down here on the Shannon Estuary (a long diagonal distance from you) this year. They were missing last year. But we are hopeful they will re-establish as it seems to be a good year all round for nesting birds. We have two swift/house martin nests settled in late but comfortably here.

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Ciara Ohartghaile's avatar

How gorgeous Mary, I love to hear the curlew. Hopefully they will make a proper return. It’s been a funny year with the weather 🧡 thanks so much for reading

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Judith's avatar

I went to Rathlin a few years ago, so enchanting (though I wore gloves and a hat in mid June!) one of the loveliest of days.

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Ciara Ohartghaile's avatar

Isn’t it special? You’ll have to go back

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Billie Mears's avatar

So beautifully written and read, Ciara. A delightful beginning to a hot, steamy, and humid summer day here in Atlanta, USA. I wish we were visiting Ireland this summer! We spent most of May in the UK—Herefordshire & Somerset, so the travel budget has already been spent. Maybe another trip to Ireland in the future. Thank you for vividly bringing it to my armchair travel today!

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Ciara Ohartghaile's avatar

Thanks Billie, glad you enjoyed. Definitely get Eire on the list for next year!

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Mark Diacono's avatar

Delightful as usual, thank you

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Lucy Hearne Keane's avatar

Beautiful article and photos. I am trying to visit as many Irish islands as possible. Haven't made it to Rathlin yet.

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Ciara Ohartghaile's avatar

It’s a really beautiful place, I highly recommend!

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Heidi Scrimgeour's avatar

Every word of this is glorious and you reading it is perfect!

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Ciara Ohartghaile's avatar

Thank you Heidi!

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Miriam Leece's avatar

I saw dolphins once while swimming in the sea during a magical sunset in West Wales as a teenager. My sister and I sang to them and they came so near to us that we were shocked by their visceral presence… we kept singing anyway and like to think they were singing back!

And those buns 💗🌼

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Ciara Ohartghaile's avatar

How gorgeous Miriam, you are part mermaid!

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Caroline McCormick-Clarke🐆🧀🎨✍️'s avatar

Thank you for sharing your journey to magical Rathlin Ciara - you are absolutely right, I must go. That photo of your mermaid crystal clear pool of water is divine. As are your pastries and everything else in your writing about Midsummer on Rathlin and the North Coast.

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