When writing recently about library books, I mentioned a short break at the end of August. Now it's time to show something of that holiday.
We went 'down South', which means we visited the Republic of Ireland. Well, Co. Sligo to be exact.
As the road from Enniskillen to Sligo approaches its destination it runs alongside Ben Bulben as seen in the photo above.
The mountain is associated with Finn McCool. Or rather, it's associated with his alter-ego, Fionn mac Cumhaill. Legend has it that the warrior, Diamuid, was killed on Ben Bulben by a wild boar after being left alone during a hunt. Years earlier, Diamuid had eloped with Grainne, daughter of the High King. Grainne had been promised to Fionn, so he had his revenge by allowing Diamuid to die alone on the mountain.
A more recent claim to fame for this mountain comes from its connection with the poet, W B Yeats.
The following is an excerpt from Yeats' poem 'Under Ben Bulben'
Under bare Ben Bulben's head
In Drumcliff churchyard Yeats is laid.
An ancestor was rector there
Long years ago, a church stands near,
By the road an ancient cross.
No marble, no conventional phrase;
On limestone quarried near the spot
By his command these words are cut:
Cast a cold eye
On life, on death.
Horseman, pass by!
Drumcliff lies beyond, and to the right, of the mountain as seen in the photo.
I visited Yeats grave in the churchyard a few years ago, but this year I drove slowly past on a wet, windy evening looking for
Yeats Country Tavern - where we stopped for a meal, before going to visit relatives who live a couple of miles up the road from Drumcliff.
