Lately we took a wee trip in a wee plane

Back to Inis Oírr

We remember a time not so long ago, when we travelled here with Martin. 

He forgot to undo his seat belt  –  almost dragged that little plane across the runway!

 

Inis Oírr – a blessed world apart

For stone animals like ourselves  –  tis like going home

Native islander and expert waller – Padraig Poil –  took us across his hand crafted fields, where we see a nine foot high wind break

 

I explain to Patsy Mc Anaw, that Padraig built this wall when he was 17.

‘No no no’ – Padraig interrupts

 ‘I was 18’

Either way – Patsy is impressed.

On the most westerly shore –  lies an area called the ‘Ria’ – where Padraig crafts a new field

 

 Battling with the open Altantic – every stone must be lifted –  before a carpet of sand and seaweed can be laid down, making it fit for grazing

Most troublesome are the small stones to be raked and shoveled

then barrowed as fill

for this ledge, to create a grassy slope instead

Bigger stones are moved to a further field – for walling

We did pick out a nice slab which shall travel to Tír Chonaill Stone Festival – to find a home in Glencolmcille – where Padraig is our guest waller.

It is a stone bond between our two Gaeltacht communities

With luck we shall return soon