A Wyrd Dream

I was in a huge stadium, miles wide, with only a few other people. There was a long road running through the seats, disappearing into the distance, and I was on it. This was my road and I knew I had to go it alone. Then ahead of me, I saw it, in front of the barrier that separated one section of seats from another: a bird-man creature, tall and lithe, with brown and white feathers, stretching as he awoke. I felt a pang of terror, but I didn't turn back or run away.

Finding The Other Side Of Sorrow

Here is a beautiful thing for anyone feeling the heartbreak of the damaged world. The poem is by the incomparable Sorley MacLean.

Adsense Nonsense

Blogger wants me to commercialise my blog. I hate the fact you can't go anywhere without being bombarded by ads and people trying to sell you things. Of course I want to sell my books but I will leave that up to you to decide!

Old Songline

Here I am in the Ballinamore Library as I am on a month's retreat at my favourite Buddhist Centre, Jampa Ling. As I posted a year previous, this is where I spent a summer working as a barmaid in my aunt and uncle's hotel on the main street. And, of course, this is the town where my first book, The Druid's Tune, begins. A lot of memories of a lot of people meander through my mind as I meander through the streets. It's strange the way we end up travelling along old songlines years and years later!

Hiking Again!

And it nearly killed me. Jaze, I am utterly out of shape. We were deep in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains, astray on Stony Top and Tonelagee (anglicisation of Tón le Gaoithe - 'arse to the wind' - you gotta love the Irish.) A gorgeous day with sunshine and balmy breezes and a lost black dog whose owner finally found him. Cheese sandwiches, hot tea and chocolate were the standard fare. This is an arty shot of me, courtesy of Gerry Blake, photographer extraordinaire and fellow hiker. We cooled our feet in the clear shallow waters of the Glenmacnass River, just at the end, near the car park. (Dana crossed this river in The Light-Bearer's Daughter.) Lovely day but I'm going to have to do some serious exercising before I go back out again. I swear I thought I was going to DIE at one point.

Bealtaine

Alas, I'm too banjaxed to head up to the ancient seat of Uisnech for the Festival of the Fires - see www.festivalofthefires.com - but I hope to get there next year. (Note: Uisnech is an important setting in the book and film of The Celtic Princess.) Instead, I shall light a little fire of my own to honour the day. I'll also be heading over the mountains to Tom Bombadill and Goldberry - as I call Herbie Brennan, Faerie Wars, and his wife, Jacquie Burgess, Master Herbalist - for a Bealtaine celebration on Wednesday. Meanwhile, wishing you all a beautiful May Day tomorrow. It has been warm and sunny and summery in Ireland all month. Brilliant!

The Official Killing Bono Trailer

This is obviously the new Commitments. And that's Prince Caspian in there with a brillo Dublin accent!