“A rainbow, a pure gift comes quite unexpectedly, apparently from nowhere – an invitation to stop and stare.” (Sr Stan)
We often have to reach the edge of the precipice before we come to see clearly what we may not have noticed before. Here, on the outer frontiers, stripped of all that once defined us, cascading streams flow from somewhere above to stop us in our tracks and remind us that we are part of something far greater than ourselves. A rainbow casts its tremulous glow through the mist as the universe calls us to be still. It pays to slow the pulse right down and breathe in the soothing beauty.
We welcomed a visitor from Ontario recently who had joined us on our St Declan’s Way Experience some years back. She wanted to come to Ireland again and see a little more of the South East with us. Margaret grew up in Drumcondra, Dublin and moved to Canada when she was only 8 years of age. Now, over 65 years later, the lure of coming ‘home’ is greater than ever before. Over the past year, Elaine and I have moved into the arena of designing and hosting ‘tailor-made’ tours around Ireland aimed at the Irish diaspora around the world. Whisper it quietly but the real magic lies in the South East of Ireland. The world of mass tourism has yet to fully discover the many gems hidden in this unheralded corner of Ireland.
The Mahon Falls in the Comeragh Mountains, County Waterford is one such gem that elevates the unsuspecting visitor to a new space. Margaret opened her window to the sound of bleating sheep rising in unison as if somewhat inconvenienced by our arrival into their rugged empire. Here, only 40 minutes from Waterford city, we had already left civilisation as we knew it behind. Our car, our lives, our existence seemed dwarfed by the amphitheatre of rock that encircled us. As we got closer to the carpark, we checked in on a family who were having trouble with their car. This was not the place to have a breakdown. Margaret smiled quietly to herself and noted their resemblance to people she knew back in Canada. They assured us all was ok and we continued on our way.
We stood for a while before walking the 1km pathway out to the Falls, soaking in the sheer majesty of it all. It’s amazing what you notice when you slow right down… each of us spellbound by the kaleidoscope of contour and colour as it rolled seawards before narrowing our respective lenses upwards towards the sheep hovering precariously on the ledges up above. These illusive, diminutive creatures appeared statuesque on their lofty perch as if magically dangling from the sky. Without saying a word, we were all thinking the same thing; how did they get there and how would they find their way home? ‘The story of our lives’, a muse whispered from afar. The simplest of things can become stepping stones into the great expanse of mystery that surrounds us.
Against this stunning backdrop, we heard, faintly at first, the sound of the water surging down the falls. Here, in this timeless oblivion, we found ourselves on hallowed ground gazing upon this cathedral of rock carved out by glaciers many moons ago. Margaret bathed her feet in the water before taking a few photos to send on to her husband back home. We paused and soaked in the panorama one last time before we left. Small and miniscule as we are, the life we live matters in the universal scheme of things. One masterful symphony starts with a single note.
Seek and you will find a deeper peace camouflaged beneath the mists of time. The habitual can dim the senses. Once you step out beyond your normal frontiers you open the pores to the magical life force of the universe. You cannot be sure what awaits as you make your way no matter how clear your coordinates. As we strolled back to the carpark, the family we met earlier were starting out on the same journey. Their carefree stride assured us that all was sorted with their car. To her astonishment, Margaret could see that the family were indeed her neighbours down the road from Elmvale, Ontario. You couldn’t make it up. Here they were, meeting for the first time in months thousands of miles from home half way up the Comeragh Mountains.
It is in the journey we find meaning not just in the dimmed hues on the distant horizon. The steps in between matter! In the rush to arrive at where we want to be, we can easily whiz by the smaller, often incidental, moments that await around each new bend. Rainbow moments nudge us closer to where we need to be. The Greek poet Constantine reminds us that as we pursue our dreams and goals in life and aspire to reach the utopian island of ‘Ithaca’, we must be sure to enjoy all that we encounter along the way. The muse from ancient times still speaks now as before.
“When you set out for Ithaca ask that your way may be long, full of adventure and full of instruction. Have Ithaca always in your mind. Your arrival there is what you are destined for. But do not hurry the voyage at all. It is better to let it last for years; and even to anchor at the isle when you are old, rich with all that you have gained on the way, not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches. Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage. Without her you would never have taken the road.” (Constantine)
Phil and Elaine at Celtic Ways Ireland design and host Celtic themed tours around Ireland specialising in Ireland’s South East. Our tours for 2024 are almost fully booked with limited availability for our St Declan’s Way Experience from September 22nd to 27th and October 5th to 10th. We have some exciting new tours to roll out in 2025.
For more information, email Phil and Elaine directly on info@celticwaysireland.com or check out our website www.celticwaysireland.com
Very special thank you to Brendan St John’s Photography for both the cover photograph and the sheep photograph on the Comeragh Mountains.