The Aran Islands, off of Ireland's west coast, are known for their beauty, isolation, traditional way of life, use of the Irish language, flora and fauna (birders come from all over the world to observe birds on the islands), ancient archaeological remains, a strong sense of community, serenity and spirituality and last, but not least, the wool of their well-known, hand-knitted sweaters and shawls. |
A Peaceful, Easy Feeling: The Aran Islands |
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Music: Greensleeves Whispers - Home Old New Orleans Friday's Journal |
I usually include quotations or poetry on Friday's Journal. But, when I was doing research for this page, I came across an article written by a man who had visited the Aran Islands. He wrote about a conversation he'd had one day with a local woman in a cafe on Inis Mor. She told him a story I wanted to share. Excerpted from The Soothing Spirit of J. M. Synge: A Pilgrimage to the Aran Islands: |
I'm grateful to Friday's Journal subscriber, Sue, who shared the story of her visit to the Islands and suggested a page about them. Every moment I've spent reading about the Aran Islands and putting this page together has been a joy. -- Nancy |
"From an envelope, Angela, one of the locals, handed us a memorial card with the name and photo of a young New York fireman, a set of initials (WTC) and a date (9/11/2001). |
"She told us she originally found it a few years ago, tucked down the side of her mother's grave at Na Seacht dTeampaill, up the road. She had no idea where it had come from, but had written to an address on the back. |
"The dead man's mother contacted her. Her son, Michael, she said, had always wanted to visit the Aran Islands. After 9/11, she'd traveled to Inis Mor; and because her son had loved roses, she'd left his image at the only grave in the cemetery with a rose bush. 'And that was my mother's,' Angela said. |
" 'She didn't think anyone would find it,' Angela continued. 'Then, she thought I might be upset. But she's coming again next year and we've arranged to meet.' The card had become weather-beaten, so Angela had taken it to the mainland to have it relaminated. 'I must go and leave it back on the grave,' she said." |