Only in the wild wild west would this place be possible. I couldn't believe it when I got the nod to do a short residency at the Cill Rialaig Project. I had been psyching myself up for the month leading up to it and I had high hopes for what I might get done. But when I was there I couldn't believe what I managed to get done. It reached beyond even my own expectations. And that why this place is so special.
Isolated, quiet, sunshine (although this one isn't a guarantee), the Atlantic, islands, walks into the hills, alarm clocks cleverly disguised as sheep and, and, and ...
Apart from the occasional bleat the quiet was hypnotic. Reveling in it I averaged between 5 and 7 hours of work a day. I got into a routine pretty quickly; breakfast and Saturdays papers (I managed to make them last the whole week-I don't think I've ever read them so thoroughly), work, lunch, walk, work, dinner, work, dvd.
I had even done a spree to end all sprees on Amazon so that i could go down there fully armed and loaded. I only managed to finish one book of poetry. Surely one of my stranger accomplishments.
With the long weekend approaching now I'm going to try and keep up the momentum. It can be such a rare visitor that I want to try and make the most of it while it's here.
Lovely Niamh, makes me miss the old Emerald Isle!
ReplyDeleteI particularly like the last photo, 'literature, technology, hydration & hair styling' :)
:D I was wondering would someone spot it!!!
ReplyDeletesome fine word pictures here...
DeleteI particularly like "alarm clocks cleverly disguised as sheep"
ReplyDeleteHi Niamh, I'm about to head down to Cill Rialaig. I grew up not far from the area but it's great to hear how you got on writing wise. Has given me great hope!
ReplyDeleteHey Alison, thanks for your message!it's so beautiful down there-best of luck with your work :)
ReplyDelete