June is boating season here in the Finger Lakes and I must say my little 20 foot pontoon boat has been a saving grace throughout Covid. It has been a great place to escape, to be safe, and to be able to really enjoy nature and the elements. I miss my visits to Ireland though. Being on the water brings up memories of some Celtic places that I thought I would highlight in this month’s blogs. I grew up around lakes but never around the ocean, so you'll find that in my books and in my travels I gravitate to coastal settings. 

Let’s begin by featuring tidal islands that can be reached by car or foot when the tide is out. What a strange sensation to be so close to the mainland yet so separate and to have that “reality” totally change twice a day. Is it any wonder that tidal islands hold a certain mysticism even in today’s world.?

Omey Island in Connemara is my favorite.  The first two times I drove over to it, I was a little anxious, despite the fact, that there were a number of other cars and it was clear that the beach was solid. I was on my own and found myself checking my watch all the time. There are a few holiday homes on Omey. But it felt like the cows and I were all alone the few days in May I spent walking its paths and viewing it from the mainland pub across the strand. I can’t imagine what it would be like to live there. However, I did speak with a tarot card reader in Galway City a few years ago who grew up on the island. She shared how special it had been.

She also told me about the island’s history. I had read about the sacred sea well, St. Feichin’s,  in a novel, Two Sisters In Ireland, but she added information about the ruins of an ancient village, a 12th century church, an ancient women’s gathering place, and the Fairy Lake at the island’s center. I was not disappointed, nor were others I took there on subsequent trips. 

Coney Island in Sligo Bay, Ireland is another tidal island worthy of a visit for its views of Sligo and the novelty of driving over the roadway of sand. I imagined New York’s Coney Island being named for this Irish isle. But an internet search suggests our Coney Island is probably of Dutch origins. 

And the third tidal island I would like to feature is Lindisfarne, Northumberland, England, one of Celtic Christianity’s earliest and most important monasteries. I have not been but I have seen friends' pictures and heard accounts of their pilgrimage across to the island. The island has not only beautiful ruins of a priory and a castle but a spiritual retreat center and an active religious community.

If you have a favorite tidal island, I would love to hear about it.