I don’t know if I’ve mentioned that I’m taking off next Tuesday for three weeks in Ireland.
Two of them will be spent in a stone hermitage at Glendalough Abbey in the Wicklow Mountains. Because it’s not enough that I live alone and work alone. I need some time by myself to THINK, damn it!
Anyway, of course I’m very excited, and have two friends over there: one Dublin-born and bred, and the other Co. Kerry, who may be able to arrange her schedule to meet me either in Dublin or at Glendalough.
While the Tucson summer is of course baking hot, Ireland by all accounts is perpetually freezing (by my standards) so I have purchased a little rain poncho and will definitely layer and bring a couple of scarves, and all will be well.
On another note, just throwing this out: might there be a photographer in the Portland, Oregon area willing to shoot the work of the incredible Catholic artist Tomasz Misztal? A mutual friend from the East Coast has been trying to update Tomasz’s website and badly needs updated photos. Without going into a long story, suffice it to say this would be a labor of love.
On we go into August.
I hope you have a safe flight and a wonderful trip! I would love to go to Ireland someday. Do you plan to see the Book of Kells?
Maybe…will definitely stick my head in at Trinity College where the Book of Kells resides…I’m going to try to just let things unfold so we’ll see. Thanks so much for the good wishes, Susan…
It will be the best ever. Traveling mercies for you and your friends.
Thank you, Barbara! Very grateful to be going….
Glendalough is a great place to think, Heather! I visited there with my family exactly 50 years ago. I don’t imagine it’s changed much; though, I have, of course. Enjoy your trip!❤️
Safe travels!
Well that sounds wonderful!! Will be expecting a great story about your time there. God speed.
There is definitely a difference between being alone and then having space to think! Have fun!
Aw, thanks all for the good wishes. Seems quite a few people have visited Glendalough..rec’d .this quote from Sir Walter Raleigh yesterday: “Give me my scallopshell of quiet, my staff of faith to lean upon, my gown of glory hope’s true gauge, and thus I’ll take my pilgrimage”. Of course I’ll be flying and taking buses and trains–but I will also definitely walk a lot–and no matter what or how, I will take my scallopshell of quiet…
Prayers for a blessed trip!!
Thanks so much, Rose!
Oh Heather !
I am so excited for you.
Please post all your observations.
My son attends medical school in Dublin and I am angling to go visit again
near the end of September. Last time was 2019.
Don’t miss the Book of Kells. It is pricey admission, but so inspiring.
Little New Testaments that were used in the 700 AD to spread the gospel.
Matt Talbot’s church in North Dublin, where his body resides(Our Lady of Lourdes) is another great stop.
and on Granby Lane where he died , on his was to mass for Trinity Sunday.
Avoca for a nice lunch is great place too.
Again, have a wonderful trip!!
Mary Jane MacNeil
Halifax, nova Scotia
Great, Mary Jane, we shall see…I am a big Matt Talbot fan–Granby Lane where he died on his way to Mass would be my kind of place. Would that we’d all go like that! Thanks ever so much for the tips and support, and I hope you find your own way back to Dublin very soon–
Ireland has much scope for the imagination. I went in my youth with a teacher friend for a month. We back packed and met her lovely Irish relatives. I was inspired to buy a sketch book and paint, though I am not gifted in that way. I’ll have to say, with just the right measure of light on those green fields, anyone can become an artist! May God inspire you and call forth more beauty from your soul in those ancient fields and walls. Peace! Ann
Thank you, Ann, I will go with an open mind and heart!