The Wild Atlantic Way
The Wild Atlantic Way is one of the last wild places in Ireland, one of the truly last wild places in Europe. The drive along the rugged coastline stretches for approximately 2500 km, snaking through nine counties. The ocean meets coast in a raw, melancholy moment.
The west of Ireland has inspired some of the greatest writers of our lifetime, including the poet John O'Donohue and David Whyte. They walked the hills of Connemara together, pictured here.
"Bennacht"
On the day when
the weight deadens
on your shoulders
and you stumble,
may the clay dance
to balance you.
the weight deadens
on your shoulders
and you stumble,
may the clay dance
to balance you.
And when your eyes
freeze behind
the grey window
and the ghost of loss
gets into you,
may a flock of colours,
indigo, red, green
and azure blue,
come to awaken in you
a meadow of delight.
freeze behind
the grey window
and the ghost of loss
gets into you,
may a flock of colours,
indigo, red, green
and azure blue,
come to awaken in you
a meadow of delight.
When the canvas frays
in the currach of thought
and a stain of ocean
blackens beneath you,
may there come across the waters
a path of yellow moonlight
to bring you safely home.
in the currach of thought
and a stain of ocean
blackens beneath you,
may there come across the waters
a path of yellow moonlight
to bring you safely home.
May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may the clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours.
may the clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours.
And so may a slow
wind work these words
of love around you,
an invisible cloak
to mind your life.
wind work these words
of love around you,
an invisible cloak
to mind your life.
--John O'Donohue
