Back to the North: Inishowen

inishowen

It is ten years since my last visit to Inishowen Peninsula. Last summer I was close, and you can read about that trip in my  Dark Hedges, Giant Causeway and Rope bridge blogs. This time I had different plans, none of which worked out. Well, except for the main reason why I went to Inishowen, so let’s call it a business trip then – a magic business trip, to be precise 🙂  I will share the details next week after going through my photographs galore,  but in this blog  I just want to share a sad song that mentions Inishowen, because yes, I am very sad,  and I want to go back.

The lyrics:

You maidens of beauty, I’m a swain that’s forlorning,

I carelessly wandered away from my home,

I am off by the moonlight and day break of morning,

I am found in the mountains of dark Inishowen.

I strayed  a place that they called sweet Clonmany

In search of a fair maid who I might adore,

But a maiden for to love me I could not find any

From Meendoran bridge to the Gap at Mamore.

Adieu to the place where I once had a sweetheart,

But now she has left me no wonder I mourn,

When I think of that sweet spot the haunt of that fair one

I pine for her absence in dark Inishowen.

Oh it’s distance divides us in dreams I caress her

For I was as happy as if I was at home,

When I speak to that vision that it bids me compress her

To a bosom that’s pining in dark Inishowen.

I am now sad and lonely since I left her dear dwelling

To repine on that sweet spot I shall never see more,

For I’m off by the wild beach where the salt seas are swelling

From Tullagh’s black rocks to the gap at Mamore.

And now I am stationed in the county Fermanagh,

And I left my wee darling with her parents at home,

If I ever return it will be to marry,

And to wed my wee darling in dark Inishowen.

inishowen

Inishowen is not actually dark. The opening image is the view from my hotel window in Ballyliffin, Co Donegal, taken at the sunrise, and this one is another early morning view I captured when driving along the shores of Trawbreaga Bay, not far away from Malin.  I drove through ” sweet Clonmany” too, but took no photographs ( failed plans as I already said…).

The last image is of water. Not just ordinary water, but the water of Pollan Bay…

wave

This is all for now. More to follow…

IneseMjPhotographyHave a wonderful weekend!

92 comments

  1. You are so wonderfully talented. That windswept picture with the sheep is so absolutely stunning I swear I can smell the sea and feel the wind. Can’t wait to see the ‘more’ .

  2. Beautiful song and images. I’m also very intrigued to know more. Take as much time as you need. Your posts are always jewels.

    1. Thank you so much Olga! My internet provider could do better these days – I am having problems, including visiting the ‘heavy’ blogs – those who don’t resize their photographs for some reason. It is two weeks since I visited the blogs I follow, which is not nice of me 😦 Thank you again for your comments and kind words!

  5. Beautiful photographs and song (is it a traditional song?). Hope you can go back soon.
    Have an amazing weekend!

    1. Thank you so much, Montserrat! It is a traditional song, and they love and appreciate music in Inishowen – I had an amazing opportunity to listen to the local musicians and enjoy Irish dancing performance. Have a wonderful weekend you too!

    1. Thank you so much for stopping by! The sheep was a perfect model. Where I live, sheep run away in panic, bumping into each other:).
      I had a magic weekend, more post to follow!

    1. Thank you John! I had tears in my eyes when I took it – I came to say goodbye. Amazing three days, life-changing experience… More in my next blog 🙂

  16. Beautiful images and the video spectacular which captures the essence of Inishowen. We all know pictures do not capture the essence of actually being there. Be well.

  17. I can’t wait to learn more about the things at which you hinted. It’s a lovely place, and the song is perfect for it — so hauntingly beautiful, and the singer’s voice, again something lovely. Thank you Inese, for giving this moment of beauty. Hugs!

    1. Thank you so much, Teagan! It takes me a bit of time to get the next post ready… The place is magic, and unchanged in these ten years.
      Thank you again for stopping by! Hugs!!!

  18. The hotel’s window view reminds me of the sight that I saw at Moher cliffs looking back toward land – expansive and feeling free. I just love the picture of the lamb there. Oh yes, the song is lovely but sad..

    1. Thank you so much for your comment! You are so right, the feeling of being free, I too had it 🙂 It is a view from my hotel room, very different from what I have at home …

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