A friend told me recently that the first time she visited the Beara Peninsula in County Cork she instantly felt an affinity; a tie of some kind, a soul anchoring feeling, she felt home. Years later she had her DNA tested and it came back with a 98% match to the South West Irish Coast; specifically the Beara Peninsula. It made me wonder if I had ancestry in Connemara; I’ve always felt such a strong sense of peace and familiarity when I’m there and when I’m back home I feel the pull of the mountains, beaches and bogs of the West. Anyone who knows me will have heard me say, ‘heart on the North Coast, soul in Connemara.
I absolutely love this, Ciara. I am fascinated with this concept of deep connection to places we are not ‘from’. I also feel deep affinity with the West and pretty much every holiday we’ve had since the kids could hold a fishing rod was around Lough Corrib. I love your photos, they really evoke a sense of place. Heading over to nominate now 😘
I tried to nominate you as well…but it seems the process is the same for nominating someone and applying! I nearly got to the end of the application, but got hung up when they wanted a file of your writing and 5 photos!
I am trying to nominate you but it seems I have to apply to the Irish Writing awards myself! Am I being truly stupid ?!!
Julia a few people have told me it’s a bit complicated! Not to worry thanks for trying 😆
I absolutely love this, Ciara. I am fascinated with this concept of deep connection to places we are not ‘from’. I also feel deep affinity with the West and pretty much every holiday we’ve had since the kids could hold a fishing rod was around Lough Corrib. I love your photos, they really evoke a sense of place. Heading over to nominate now 😘
Thanks so much Beth! Also a special place in my heart for beautiful Melmore head in Donegal where we met all those moons ago!
I tried to nominate you as well…but it seems the process is the same for nominating someone and applying! I nearly got to the end of the application, but got hung up when they wanted a file of your writing and 5 photos!