I live in County Roscommon and when I was four years old my family and I went on holiday to stay in a cottage, Teach Seán, Drumaneary, Mountcharles, County Donegal, this is on the Wild Atlanitc Way. We had a Spanish friend named Maria who came with us, she was visiting us at the time.
Tá abhainn bheag thíos ón dtigh inar rugadh mé, i gCiarraí, Abhainn na Gáile, nó An Gháil. Bhí páirt lárnach ag an abhainn sin agus ar Dhroichead na hAbhann i mo shaoI agus i mo shamhlaíocht agus mé ag fás aníos. Dob é an droichead san croí-lár an tsaoil dom fhéin agus dom bheirt charad,
I grew up alongside a River at the bottom of the Dublin mountains and I now live alongside a River in the Wicklow mountains, only about a mile from its source which is a tributary the start of the Liffey. It’s nature at it’s best and as an all-round angler can appreciate that this is
My Father’s wellies are making a soft rhythmic sound as they flap against the back of his corduroy trousers, it is a balmy summer evening after a light shower. I must be four or five years old. Hand in hand, we are walking back to my Grandma’s house from another fishing adventure. She has walked
English as tuppence. Changeless and brooding like an aging spinster, Drumreaske lake wore mystery like a tightly wound scarf in a cold winter’s blast. Nestled away between Monaghan’s Drumlin hills on the Scotstown road out of Monaghan town, sometimes known as Kane’s lake it was and, to an extent, is part of a small country
Dedicated to my Mother who lived on both sides of its shore. Is this the right road for the lake? was a frequent enquiry of my childhood; one that often gave rise to all manner of elaborate descriptions and warnings of diversions to avoid, when really all I needed have said was just follow the
2006 was the centenary of Fr. Pat O’Loughlin’s arrival in Gurteen. Fr. Pat was a colourful individual, responsible for many projects in the parish, among them, a series of Sunday afternoon dances on the islet at the centre of Loughnahinch Lake. Two boats carried patrons to and from the dances and the all-in fee was
A white enamel mug with a blue rim sat on a little stone with a tuft of grass shading it. Always turned upside down, ensuring that no insect would invade it, when not in use. This mug had a small chip on the bottom of it exposing a dark rust colour. This colour was similar
Ireland is rich in lakes, and for that we are fortunate. They bring beauty to our countryside, support a fascinating variety of wildlife, and are closely intertwined with our own history and heritage. Ireland is unusual in having many shallow limestone lakes. This story is about these, and some of the things that live in
As I write, it is the 22nd April. The sun is shining, the bees are buzzing, the birds are singing, and the temperature is 19°C. Social isolation is beginning to bite hard. Many of my angling friends are suffering from cabin fever. We must stay within a 2km radius of home. I live in Cahir,
On the approach to Kilruane village, on the Nenagh to Cloughjordan road, there is a large area of wetland and bog. Between the bog and the road stands the parish hall – locally known as the floating ballroom. I am sure there are great stories told of dances and plays held there over the years.
There’s a lake near my home in County Mayo that’s a very special place. I feel a strong connection to this lake and its rich biodiversity. This special place is Lough Carra. Lying beneath the water is a thick bed of marl, soft chalky mud. Around the shores of the lake there are still a