County Leitrim
I know we have visited County Leitrim in my driving incidents but I wanted to share more about Leitrim.
After visiting Corglass, I made my way to Dromahair and took the road towards to Parke's Castle on the shores of Lough Gill. As I pulled into the drive for Parke's Castle, I met a charismatic Irishman.
"Can I help you?" he asks. "Yes," I responded, "may I park in here". "You're from AMERICA!" he exclaimed, waving me in to the lot. "I'm looking for an American woman with land and livestock!" I smiled warmly and told him, "Well, I am American. I do have a big back yard and my neighbor has chickens." "PERFECT!" he exclaimed.
He was from Donegal and driving a tour bus. This lovely Man from Donegal also insisted on teaching me the perfect Gaelic phrase, póg mo thóin. (pronounced pog ma-hoy). Everyone on the tour started laughing and the Man from Donegal was grinning from ear to ear with an Irish devil in his eyes. Turns out póg mo thóin translates to 'Kiss My Arse'. You gotta love the Irish!
Parke's Castle actually sits on the ruins of O'Rourke's Castle and pays tribute to the O'Rourke Clan by incorporating some of history of the O'Rourke's.
I was particularly impressed with the inner strength of Brian O'Rourke, who as captured, sent to England to be tried and executed for assisting shipwrecked sailors whose nationality did not matter. It turns out the shipwrecked sailors were the hated enemy of England . . . Spainards!
The following is famously known as O'Ruairc's (O'Rourke's) Request:
You ask me what deference is mine? Here I 'midst your armed bands.
You only mock the prisoner who is helpless in your hands.
What would deference avail to me, though good it be and true,
Here I in the heart of London town, with judges such as you?
You gravely talk about my 'crime'. I own no crime at all;
The deeds you blame I'd do again should such a chance befall.
You say I've helping the foreign foes to war against your Queen,
Well, challenged so, I'll proudly show what has my helping been.
On that wild day when near our coast the stately ships of Spain,
Caught in a fierce and sudden storm, for safety sought in vain.
When, wretched and torn 'midst mountains waves, some foundered in that deep
And others broke on sunken reefs and headlands rough and steep.
I heard the cry that, on my land where breakers rise and roar.
The sailors from a sinking ship were striving for the shore.
I hurried to that frightful scene, my generous people too
Men women, even children came some kindly deed to do.
We saw them clutching spars and planks that soon were washed away,
Saw others bleeding on the rocks, low moaning where they lay.
Some cast ashore and back again, dragged by the refluent wave,
When one grip from a friendly hand would have sufficed to save.
We rushed into the raging surf watched every chance and when
They rose and rolled within our reach, we grasped the drowing men.
We took them to our hearts and homes, and bade them there remain
Till they might leave with hopes to reach their native land again
This is the 'treason' you have charged! Well, treason let it be
One word of sorrow for such fault you'll never hear from me.
I'll only say, although you hate my race and creed and name,
Were your folk in that dreadful plight I should have done the same.
Oh! You bring me to your Queen, low at her feet to kneel
Crave mercy from her stony heart, and urge some mean appeal!
I answer NO! My knees will bend and prayers of mine arise
To but one Queen, the Queen of Heaven, high-throned above the skies.
And now you ask my dying wish? My first and last request
Is that the scaffold built for me be fronted facing West.
Of my dear country far away, one glimpse I cannot see
Wherever, and however high, you raise my gallows tree.
Yet would I wish my last fond look should seek that distant shore,
So, turn my face to Ireland [..... ] you, I ask no more.
Wow - such eloquence and strength of character would be so hard to find in today's world.
After touring Parke's Castle, I decided to head back to my AirBnB and accidentally drove past the cut off for O'Rourke's Table. O'Rourke's Table is a mountain located just outside of Dromahair. If you are willing to climb the several hundred steps that are cut into the side, you will be rewarded with the most amazing views from the top.
O'Rourke's Table is now on my Top 10 List for my return trip to Ireland.
As I drove back to my AirBnB, I decided for one more stop. Off to Castle Lough Rynn for a late and light lunch. So beautifully maintained that everywhere you look, you appreciate the décor, the workmanship and the land. You must stop by - for lunch, or dinner, drinks or an overnight stay. I even drove around and found a Druid's circle. How can one person be so blessed with this trip? Oh and of course, the O'Rourke's had possession of Castle Rynn at one point. So, I guess I was 'coming home'. (LOL).