A YEATS EXPERIENCE IN NORTHWEST IRELAND

VIEW OF LOUGH GILL FROM THE BROC HOUSE

Last May, we had lunch at a contemporary home that was built on a hill overlooking Lough Gill in Sligo County on the northwest coast of Ireland. The picturesque lough (Gaelic word for lake), surrounded by woodlands, is five miles long and one mile wide. The surrounding landscape looks much as it did 150 years ago when William Butler Yeats frequented the area to spend time with his grandparents. 

As we drove up the tree-lined driveway to the Broc House, we were greeted by Damien Brennan and his wife, Paula Gilvarry. They welcomed us into their home. We enjoyed looking at Damien's collection of Irish paintings, and the spectacular view of the Lough Gill through the floor-to-ceiling dining room windows. We also stepped outside to see the lush green landscape and to hear a story about the hens that provide them with fresh eggs daily. Damien's maternal family ancestors have lived and farmed on this property since the early 19^th century.

MICHAEL BRENNAN IN  KITCHEN

We were here to dine and to learn about William Butler Yeats from Sligo's local authority and President of the Sligo Yeats Society, Damien Brennan. With a love for all things Yeats, he has chosen to share his passion and knowledge with visitors from all over the world as they pass through Sligo—often referred to as Yeats country. Lough Gill and Sligo county were the inspiration for many of Yeats famous writings making it a perfect setting for a Yeats Experience. 

IRISH LUNCHEON 

Damien read to us on several occasions throughout the leisurely lunch that we shared with a tour group from the US. He was reading from a rather well-used Complete Works of W.B. Yeats. This old classic book appeared a bit worn and crumpled. I would guess that he could quote much of it from memory. As he explains it, he has a passion for Yeats and enjoys sharing it with others. His hope is that guests will leave with a desire to pick up a book about Yeats and learn more about him. Yeats was born in Dublin and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1923. 

There are 20 islands on Lough Gill, however, the most well-known is the Island of Innisfree—the subject of one of Yeats most popular poems. It was written in 1888 while he was in London and at a time when he was wishing to escape the city to the countryside. Although I find it difficult to understand much of his writings, I do appreciate this poem about Innisfree. Perhaps, because as a youth I also longed to leave the city and spend time at my parent's lake cabin whenever possible. 

"The Lake Isle of Innisfree"

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;
Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade. 

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow.
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings,
There midnights all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow.
And evening full of the linnet's wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day,
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.
                                W.B. Yeats, 1865-1939

                                                        * * *

We first heard about the Yeats Experience on the PBS series: Samantha Brown's Places to Love - Ireland's Northwest Coast. Samantha interviewed Damien at the Broc House. It was so interesting that I sent him an email requesting a reservation for the one day we would be in the area—this was many months before our arrival. He responded immediately and said that he had a tour group scheduled for lunch on that day and that we could join them. We were delighted. It was one of the highlights of our month in Ireland. (Damien later told us that when Samantha arrived for the story she was accompanied by a large camera crew of seven and a drone that was equipped with a camera.) 

The Broc House is about five miles from Sligo. Taxi from Sligo is 10E.

Related Posts: A Vintage Walk in Dingle - July 14, 2018
                        Stone Fences & Walls of Ireland - June 27, 2018
                        Ireland: Nine Reason to Return - June 14, 2018

                     

BROC HOUSE SLIGO COUNTY IRELAND