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| NGC |
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| Portal Dolmen in a bare site |
Spread the map upon
the table top
Unfold its creases with care.
Point with sticky fingers,
there...there...there
Dots in random order,
Speak of dirt roads,
Along green walls,
Searching for one place old.
Stones mammoth and ancient,
Balanced and braced,
As Weight of the earth
Called for time’s race.
Under and beneath
Climb on the cap stone,
Feel ocean wind,
Feel the time flown.
Until on the table
once again,
The map unfolds,
Seeking deep caverns
Where the Earth opens.
Spread the map on table top.
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| Leac an Scail, Co. Kilkenny |
Spreading the paper map on the kitchen table on a
Sunday afternoon was our special time in Ireland. We climbed castle keeps, crawled down caves,
and hid beneath cap stones at sacred dolmens.
No MAP APP needed or wanted.
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I've read of the dolemans. Many, it seems, are not major tourist attractions, but found in some farmer's field accessible to the adventurous. A trip to Ireland was always on my bucket list; but it seems more and more unlikely.
ReplyDeleteMany dolmens, keeps, etc. are out in farmer's field. One cave was owned by the farmer. We had to stop at their house and pay a fee. The wife finished baking a sponge cake, and then took us down through the cave, which they had made safe, with lights, etc.
DeleteA map can sure lead the mind to many spots
ReplyDeleteA paper map spread out to show huge areas always allowed us to enjoy "what was over the rise".
DeleteNow you know this would be a wonderful adventure for me...history, rocks and mysteries.
ReplyDeleteYou would be in such heaven. Visiting cities and such are fine, but getting out in the countryside allows for so many adventures.
DeleteI would love to sit atop one of these massive cairns, perhaps to feel a trace of energy left behind by those who built them.
ReplyDeleteIn Ireland with its history and legends, does have a connection to time past.
DeleteThe days of using an actual map. I admit, I rely on my phone's apps now.
ReplyDeleteThe Irish map marked the monuments, castles, etc. in red, making it easy to see on the legend. The map app could not make all that exciting.
DeleteI was never good at reading maps which was possibly due to my husband yelling at me because I could never find what he told me to find. It is so much more enjoyable riding with him now that the GPS lady with the Australian accent tells us where to go. (I often wanted to tell him where to go in my New York accent, gestures included)
ReplyDeleteYou, naughty lady, you. You are part of a large club who do the same.
DeleteThat would have been truly wonderful. Awe-inspiring in the literal sense of the word. There is still sooooo much we do not, cannot know...
ReplyDeleteWhat is wonderful is that our children, now grown, have those memories still. They have the sense of adventure we had/have.
DeleteI suppose these cairns could be energy portals. Once you cross over everything you know remains the same except for your innate intelligence and drive to succeed.
ReplyDeleteThat would be part of the magic, but usually one gets stung by nettles and bitten by ticks.
DeleteThat sounds like the best way to travel. GPS keeps you looking at a device instead of what's around you.
ReplyDeleteSusan Says
The joy of traveling is to take in the beauty and history, not the text messages,etc. Some of the best adventures occur when one gets lost in Ireland.
DeleteLove the rocks.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to visit Ireland.
When the next time you wish you could visit Ireland, go. Make the arrangements, cheapest ones possible, and go. People put off the wish for Ireland, and never see it. You will never regret it.
DeleteThose are some really cool rock formations!
ReplyDeleteMagnificent!
Delete