This was it. Something I'd dreamed about for years and here I was, on Inishmore. I'd spent the day exploring the smaller island of Inisheer and riding across the Atlantic from Doolin, on mainland Ireland on a ferryboat. Inisheer was an unexpected surprise and an enjoyable one. Most of the island was low to the sea and upon approach it was amazing to see a lighthouse and a wrecked, rusted ship dotting the shoreline. Inisheer was a beautiful island to visit and spend a couple hours before I found myself back on the ferryboat zipping over the waves to an item on my bucket list. Inishmore. I'd dreamed about this for as long as I could remember. I road on the bow of the boat, waiting and watching for the island to come into view. In the distance I could see Inishmaan, a dark low rising mass rising just above the ocean. Suddenly there it was, low on the ocean but getting larger as we drew closer, Inishmore.
Our boat drew closer to the island and my heart was flying. I was there, finally there. I soaked in the view. A light house on a small island just off the main island blinked in the cloudy, slightly misty afternoon. As we approached the main town, Kilronan, I took in the buildings that stood close to the shore. Two in particular caught my attention. One blue building, one stone building. They stood next to each other and both had me itching to explore the goods the two stores had to offer. Carraig Donn, the blue building had so much to offer from Beleek pottery to Kilkenny crystal. Aran Sweater Market, the stone building held many sweaters, scarves, hats, and socks. There were many other gifty and touristy items. I left each store with purchases I loved from the moment I picked them and up still love, three years later. My Aran wool socks are a soft powder blue and a favorite to keep my feet warm on cold winter nights at home. The Beleek ornament still graces the branches of my Christmas tree each year and hangs on the wall the rest of the year as I don't have the heart to put away this lovely little reminder.
The purchases stand as a reminder to me of that lifelong goal I'd reached and the memory I had of floating up to the dock, seeing the buildings of Kilronan but seeing the standout buildings, one blue building; one stone building.
No comments:
Post a Comment