Gillick's World: Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way Re-published August 2015 | Page 4
One, out of many highlights of my trip was meeting
Gerard Kennedy, the owner of the Moorings
Guesthouse in the village of Portmagee. As a wellknown trad music singer I asked if he knew the song
“Come to the Brower” which seemed to capture the
power of the Wild Atlantic Way. He not only sang it
but allowed me to record it.
Will you come to the bower o’er the free
boundless ocean
Where the stupendous waves roll in thundering
motion
Where the mermaids are seen and the fierce
tempest gathers
To loved Erin the green, the dear land of our
fathers
Will you come, will you, will you, will you come to
the bower?
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In this issue…
The Wildest that Ireland has to Offer
My first trip to Ireland in 2009 left lasting impressions
of the scenery, music, people, food, shopping,
walking and well, just about everything!
In January 2014, I was asked to return to explore and
write about Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, a coastal
route that stretches from Belfast, around to
Connemara, south to Mizen Head and on to Kinsale,
just south of Cork. While the entire route is 2500 km,
my portion would explore 1100 km.
It didn’t take me long to understand that the “wild” part
of the route not only referred to the wind and waters of
the Atlantic, but also to the untamed energy of local
entrepreneurs and visionaries along the way who,
working with Tourism Ireland and other government
agencies, made it all happen.
As for the Wild Atlantic Way’s ‘Secrets’, these are
really the dreams and aspirations of the individuals I
met along the way. They include:
Cnoc Suain, a labour of love of Charlie Troy
and Dearbhaill Standun in Spiddal.
Walking around the estate at Ballynahinch
Castle in Recess with Noel
Riding an Irish Cobh over to Omey Island with
Siobhan of the Cleggan Riding Stables.
Meeting and walking with Pat Sweeney, the
visionary behind the Burren Walk
Conversing with Pat Buckley as he showed me
the history and drama of Slea Head.
Exploring Valentia Island with Gerard.
Wandering around Sneem and Kenmare.
Witnessing the awesome cliffs and waves at
Mizen Head with Stephen O’Sullivan.
Having a ‘Falconry Lesson’ at Dromoland
Castle.
Ireland has so much to offer and it’s my pleasure
to show off some of the memories of my travel.
For ideas to match your own dreams, contact
www.tourismireland.com.