Clare Island: Not Just A Pretty Place...

At last I have chosen a new topic to post about, not only once or twice, but multiple times. This little series of posts are going to be on this place:

This little island is but 5 miles by 3 miles, with a population of 150 people give or take. It resides just off the West Coast of County Mayo, Ireland. It is also where my Gran grew up, she lived here until the age of 18 when she left home and began working in a college in York, England. She didn't know anyone here, and had never left Ireland before. Nor did she have the opportunity to attain a secondary school education. A lot of what she earned she would then send back to her family on the island as times were hard over there. Because of this, growing up I have had the incredibly fortunate experience of spending summers here.

Now I won't lie, the weather can be rather horrific, with cold winds, rain and fog most days. But somehow it always seems to still be able to retain its beauty. It has a certain wildness about it, which is almost mesmerising

But what it lacks in weather, it more than makes up for in character, in both the scenery and the people who live here.
The feel of the place is unlike anywhere else, providing the fondest childhood memories. It was a place of freedom, and safety. Where we would venture cross fields with cousins, build bridges over rivers, rafts at the seashore, and stay out until even the moon had disappeared from view. ( something you couldn't dream of doing in the East of England.) But here we were safe. As I have grown older I have sought to bring many friends to visit. It is such a unique place. I love to share it with anyone I can.
And so here I am sharing it with all of you in this equally unique community of Steemit. And I could go on and on, which I probably will, during the course of many more posts. From childhood adventures, to what it's like to work in the crazy but amazing pub. But for now, I'll just leave you with some more photos. After all. A picture is worth a thousand words.

PS. All photos are my own.