Back to nature
Last week, as we kicked off our annual series on the best of Ireland, Brendan O’Connor put out the call to readers for the best ways to immerse yourself in nature. You came back in your droves with some great suggestions. Here is a sample of your best
÷ WHAT a great way to launch the series Great Little Country by highlighting our favourite ways to enjoy nature in our country. So many ideas came into my head but I had to narrow it down to Cork and swimming. The fact that Brendan is from Cork didn’t influence me in any way! The atmosphere the day of the Lee Swim each July is fantastic. Getting out in the open air is so much more exhilarating than swimming in a pool. It attracts swimmers of all ages and abilities. This year it takes place on July 22. There is great excitement as the swimmers wait for their wave to take off at the North Mall. The swim is 2km in length, a great challenge. There is nothing like swimming through one of our main cities; seeing people waving you on from bridges as you take a breath. There is plenty of chat and banter about finish times afterwards at the makeshift showers and while getting dressed at the Port of Cork. The prize-giving event on the board walk is really special. Julie-Ann Somers, Cork ÷ LAST week, my sisters and I, who grew up in south east Mayo, decided to explore the northern part of our beautiful county. We were not disappointed. In particular we enjoyed a hike known as the Children of Lir Loop. This is a walk of 10km or 13km whichever you wish to choose.
It is a coastal clifftop walk where at the beginning, down below, two expansive beaches open out in front of you with the delightful sound of children enjoying the water. This is followed by dramatic cliffs and rocks splashed by waves from the Atlantic while sheep and lambs grazing nearby might raise their heads to you as you pass by. Then the stunning Stags of Broadhaven come into view and take your breath away. Along the way the locals work quietly on saving their turf. It was stacked up, drying easily in the summer breeze, waiting for the owners to take it home. Crags, caves and islands in the distance come into view. The wild flowers and heathers are all there to be admired while the texture of the bog under your feet is soft, rich and layered. Towards the end you come upon The Children of Lir Sculpture. Anne Byrne, Co Meath ÷ CORAL Strand in Carraroe, Co Galway is a gem of a beach to visit. It is a blue-flag beach. It is worth visiting on a sunny day to witness a Mediterranean-like vista. The beautiful white coral literally dazzles in the sun and the aquamarine water is a pleasure to swim in. Moya Moran, Cork ÷ THE Garden of Eden has vanished, they say. After a visit to Dunmore Gardens in Donegal you will think differently
As I walk through the gate of the walled garden, I am immediately enveloped in the tranquillity of this beautiful place. An array of stunning colours and fabulous fragrances accompany me as I stroll beneath the arches and along the winding paths. The lupins, hollyhocks, roses and rhododendrons, to name but a few, are in full bloom and create a spectacular sight.
I sit in this magical place for the rest of my visit and enjoy the peace and beauty here. Rosemary McDermott, Co Tyrone ÷ WHILE Kerry enjoys a well-deserved reputation for its breathtaking scenery, most people rave about the wonders of Dingle or Killarney National Park. As for myself, my favourite short walk is along the beautiful canal in Tralee. Recently the council upgraded the path and now it meanders from the basin in Tralee all the way out to Cockleshell and the edge of Tralee Bay. There is nothing more enjoyable on a summer’s evening than strolling along by the water’s edge, breathing in the scent of honeysuckle and watching the various birds swooping low over the water. As you approach Blennerville bridge and take in the majestic windmill, you’re sure to catch a glimpse of the nesting swans in the marshlands on the other side of the canal. Jackie Linnane, Kerry ÷ SINGER Paul Brady’s rendering of the song The Homes of Donegal goes: “For there’s no place on earth just like the homes of Donegal.” And rightly so. We have the most beautiful beaches and golf courses, all within 30 to 40 minutes drives, namely Rathmullen, Downings, Portsalon, Fahan, Portnoo and Greencastle, all with beautiful scenery on the way to them. Dan McTeague, Co Donegal ÷ NOTHING is more beautiful, more relaxing and quiet than the cliffs by the sea at the Buddhist Temple near Castletownbere, West Cork. I’ve been a guide in Ireland for over 25 years, it’s the best. Maureen McFillin ÷ THAT year June 21 fell on a Sunday. I was in my uncle Sean’s house. For years I asked him if he would bring me for a spin on his bicycle. He always said “not this year”.
On that Sunday after Mass, he said: “We will go for a spin on the bike today girlie — you’re big now.” Jumping up I ran out the door to look at the bike. He was right behind me with a cushion. “I will put you on the bar”, he says, “so that you can see everything”. Fixing the cushion carefully, I climbed onto it. Off we went down the boreen, turning left on to the tar road. My big adventure had begun.
There was mountain on one side of the road. On the other there were green fields, some of them sporting a blanket of yellow buttercups. Crossing the bridge at Glenkeen, we turned towards two big mountains, Muilreagh and Glencullen. As I turned my head many times, to take in everything, there was a faint tang of smoke from Sean’s waistcoat. I didn’t take much notice as my heart was bursting with happiness. “Wait until you see what’s over the hill”, he says, “it’s the best scenery in the world”. Meanwhile there was a huge waterfall cascading down the mountain, and with the sun shining, it looked like pure silver. Then it happened: we were on top of the hill. Sean swung his leg off the bicycle, and carefully lifted me down. What a view! The narrow road snaked down by the grassy mountainside. Sheep and lambs dotted its face, the young lambs calling for their mothers if they lost sight of them even for a short time. The wild birds screeched in the wilderness. The bog cotton swayed in the breeze. A cloud blanked the sun out on part of the lake. “Look,” Sean say, “part of the lake has changed colour.” We
watched as the dark circle moved over the lake. It was awesome to an 11-year-old me.
It is still my favourite. It is the Doolagh Pass on the Louisburgh Leenane Road, Co Mayo. Joan Patten, Co Mayo ÷ WHEN I walk upwards to the cliff at Ardmore, Co Waterford, I soak in the deep pink fuschias with their delicate purple inserts falling outwards to the road. The vivid colours of the fuschia contrast with the blueness of the sea — its streams of navy and calming turquoise. As I embark on the narrow path to the cliff, the path ventures closer to the edge and I stumble over the uneven rockiness of it. It widens to a springy soft mossy underpath that feels like I’m sinking into a deep velvet carpet. Small white and pink flowers hang onto the craggy outcrops and I wonder how they survive the wind and rain. I see the ripple of the sea breeze run across the fields of barley and white potato flowers, giving the wind a visible energy. On the other side, the sea stretches as far as I can see and I listen to the caw caw of the sea gulls reverberating around the rocky galleries on the cliffside. I rest on the seat at Fr O’Donnell’s Well and from here I’m immersed in a wall of blue as the sky and sea merge into one. At the moment, I’m at one with nature and nothing else matters. Elizabeth Rea, Tipperary ÷ I am very fortunate to be living in Co Louth for the last 22 years, after moving home from London. It really is a hidden gem. I live in the busy town of Drogheda and, weather permitting, I cycle to and from work. The quickest route is 15 km and the longer route is 20km, and it takes me along the coast.
My journey starts by heading through the town and along the River Boyne. This takes me beside the estuary and towards Baltray. I often watch ships manoeuvring in and out of the port as I cycle along, and I enjoy watching the currents in the Boyne as I head under the viaduct. There are so many beautiful wild flowers growing on the banks of the Boyne and in the hedgerow. First thing in the morning, the plants are covered in a morning dew and the smell is intoxicating. On my way home I often cut a bunch of wild flowers. In the summer months as I approach Beaulieu House (open to visitors), there is wild garlic growing in the hedgerows and the air is filled with the smell of sweet garlic. All of this is missed if I hop into my car.
I recently saw a rabbit scampering along followed by five bunnies. Squirrels, cows and a variety of birds are my fellow commuters on my daily journey. Annette Connaughton, Co Louth ÷ THE Great Skellig Islands, particularly Skellig Michael — that great precipitous rock with its 8th century monastery that rises 714ft above the Wild Atlantic Ocean, with its history and wonderful scenery. Also a joy to behold is the bird life that visits the Little Skellig Island which is home to 70,000 gannets (the second biggest colony of gannets in the world) during the summer months to lay eggs and rear the chicks. Another gem is Valentia Island that is just an Atlantic wave away, almost in the shadow of the towering Skelligs. The lighthouse on Valentia is a pleasure to visit with all its history and tales of the Wild Atlantic Way, as well as the sight of the fossilised dinosaur footprints embedded into the Valentia Island rock along the coastline, made 350 to 370 million years ago by a Tetrapod. Liam Kane, Dublin ÷ RAIN, hail or glorious sunshine, when in need of a reboot — or what my mother would have called a “breath of fresh air” (let’s face it, a cure for many of life’s frustrations) — I head off 15 minutes away over the county border into South Carlow to glorious St Mullins. Even the drive there calms the mind. I drive right down, down to the river’s edge to park. Then, depending on how energetic I’m feeling, I head off on a run along the river bank tow path — no music required as these views will inspire even the most sluggish runner. Maybe a Sunday morning run with United Striders, finishing with a picnic of coffee and croissants. Or I take a power walk to the halfway house. Or a gentle walk to the lock. Or maybe I just sit on the grass at the Mullichain Cafe and order an ice cream (or lunch) and sit there with my daughter just watching the river and life go by. Linda Rogers, Co Wexford ÷ I consider myself very lucky that my ancestors chose Ballinacree in north-west Co Meath to pitch their tent. Nature, history and magical stories were the foundations of my childhood and are now being passed on to my own children as they grow up surrounded by sacred sites and stunning scenery. As I look out of my kitchen window north westwards I see Mullaghmeen across the fields. It is Europe’s largest planted beech forest, home to Westmeath’s highest point and where Meath, Westmeath and Cavan meet.
And so Sunday mornings are usually spent rambling around Mullaghmeen’s ‘red’ route before veering off and climbing the short incline to the cairn at the top. Beautiful views over Cavan’s largest lake, Lough Sheelin, reward our efforts. Kathryn Cooke, Co Meath ÷ IT’S only recently that I really started to appreciate living in the country. Of course as a kid it was paradise. Growing up with the freedom, that is so little afforded to kids today. There were money rivers to raid, fairy forts to protect and rolling hills to descend in winter on old ironing boards or whatever suitable travelling devices we could find for the snow. But as a teenager and young adult, I was drawn by the appeal of a busier place. I imagined a life in the midst of the bustle of shops, cafes and other amenities on your doorstep. There isn’t a whole lot of that in the little village of Laragh nestled on the gateway to Glendalough, the second most visited tourist attraction on the east coast of Ireland.
But in 2012, I started running and as a result I’ve fallen in love with the place I rejected for so many years. Over the summer break, I’m hoping to instil a similar joy in my youngest son Ben (11). In Glendalough the opportunities, in terms of entertainment for kids, are endless. Aside from the lake, endless space for football or the odd shaped trees that must be climbed, there’s the Miner’s Road Walk — a 4km (out and back) forest path that runs adjacent to the Upper Lake and leads to the old mining village in the Glenealo Valley. Yvonne Brennan, Wicklow ÷ FOR a full-time carer, escape time is precious. Decisions as to how to spend it can be difficult. Last week, I opted for Jimi’s at Huntingbrook Gardens. While I take my hat off to his achievement, this visit was more about me than him. I found the garden near Blessington on a glorious July morning, and spent a delightful couple of hours, either losing myself or finding myself, whichever you wish. I was like “a pig in muck”, wandering the paths of cottage garden type planting, the beds bursting, turning this way and that, not wanting to miss anything. Then I caught the rhythm of the garden: s-l-o-w. The colour, the design, the silence. I met a friendly volunteer, who advised me on my route. I headed for the valley. The atmosphere was something else. The noise only that of the stream, not raucous but gentle as it meandered on its way. The path winds down the hill, with signs of work, both planting and paths. On the far side, I passed a moss-covered wooden table and chairs, the ghosts couldn’t be far away. It was worth coming out from the shadow of the woodland trees, one was dazzled by the vista of the Wicklow hills. Louise Wardell, Wicklow. ÷ THE one place that stands out for me is the magnificent Rosslare Strand in Wexford. I have very fond memories of enjoying picnic time with my sisters, parents and grandparents on the beach there. It always seemed sunny in those good ol’ days — what happened since? We would pack a big basket with all our essentials and far too much food and drink — oodles of sandwiches, watermelon and chocolate cake, fresh strawberries, fried chicken and egg salad, homemade cookies and all washed down with lashings of red lemonade. Emer Breen, Dublin ÷ CLARE Glens on the border of Tipperary and Limerick is my hidden gem. Summer is full of noise and action, with teenagers swimming, children splashing, birds singing and dogs chasing. Autumn brings beautiful colours to the Glen, while winter weather swells the river to powerful rapids to the joy of kayakers. Spring brings it all back to life again. Rose O’Connor Ryan, Tipperary