Photo of Dunluce Castle from here
St. Patrick’s Day conjures up images of shamrocks, leprechauns and anything green to many all over the world but when I look round this wee island of ours, the stereotypes, as so often do in reality, seem to fade.
I’m a north coast girl at heart.
I grew up on a hill overlooking the coastline where the Atlantic ocean nudges in and around the headlands of Donegal. Long stretches of beaches lie along side rugged and bare cliffs. Winds beat at the shores.
Remains and ruins of castles, churches and cottages nestle in the landscape.
Wild.
Rugged.
Windswept.
I will journey up to my folks at the weekend with the girls, we will round a corner on the back road to their house and the view that tells me I’m home, will meet me. And though my home is not there now…without fail, this view makes me stop. Takes my breath away. Tells me I’m returning.
Roots are a funny thing and though I’m well settled, my roots will always remain on the North Antrim Coast. I love the escape from the city, the winding country roads which to me (I’m not sure why), somehow seem to point to a more ancient, simpler way of life.
I love seeing the horizon, the sun setting over the ocean or the headlands.
There is a part of me that has been imprinted by it, will always be imprinted by it.
I am thankful for my roots.
And so on this St. Patrick’s Day, while we remember the man who brought Christianity to our shores, we look around and are thankful for the time in which we live now, the place we are and the friends and family who surround us.
And so on this St. Patrick’s Day, while we remember the man who brought Christianity to our shores, we look around and are thankful for the time in which we live now, the place we are and the friends and family who surround us.
Thankful for the history we’re building now.
Our children’s roots.
Our children’s roots.
We're up north this weekend too Janice!! xxx
Yay Mrs…will maybe see you! xx
My husband and I were in Ireland for our honeymoon and it is the one place that I would move to in a heartbeat. Absolutely breathtaking and amazing!
This is a beautiful insight into Ireland, thank you for sharing 🙂