Glencar Lake and Waterfall – where the water ‘speaks’

In June, we undertook a little trip. The restrictions pertaining to inter-county travel in Ireland had been eased. We were turning nine that month – the husband and I, and it was also my birthday in June. We were both a little worn out; the past few months were full of deep anxiety over what was happening back home in India.

And this trip was meant to distract ourselves, to take our mind off the merry-go-round of worry, put it on a leash and take it somewhere it could just rest a bit. Quiten itself down.

We thought it would be a good idea to let our mind wander among the green and the blues, and Ireland has no scarcity of either of those. So we headed to Sligo.

Whilst there, we undertook some drives and walks and the Glencar Waterfall and Lake was one of those. Here, we could hear the water speak. Literally.

The Glencar Waterfall is in County Leitrim, and those who love a bit of poetry would be pleased to know that William Butler Yeats talks about this waterfall in his poem The Stolen Child.

‘Where the wandering water gushes
From the hills above Glen-Car,
In pools among the rushes
That scarce could bathe a star’

There is a wooded walk leading to the waterfall. And all along the trail, you will hear it. This excited, boisterous, noisy child or a teen if you will, is loud! It seems so eager to have a conversation with you; at some point, you want to say – Sush! Let me also get a word in, please!

But it has a beautiful personality and it wins you over completely. You don’t mind it being incessantly chatty. Also, if you have a love for rhododendrons, you will find some lovely blooms along the way (of course depending on which season you visit the waterfall.)

But once you are done listening to the waterfall, make sure you go to the Glencar Lough. It isn’t as noisy, or as boisterous as the Glencar Waterfall but it has a voice of its own. It has this undercurrent – of waves systematically coming forth and going back – almost like the cycle of life.

I found it very peaceful to just sit down on its pebbled shore and try and listen to its rhythm. At times mysterious and brooding, at times soothing and calming, the Glencar Lough speaks a language of its own.

On its pebbled, narrow shore, I let my mind off the leash. I think it wandered to a quiet place and felt a little free.

(On this trip to Sligo, we had taken the time to take a break enroute and visit the Belvedere House. It was also a very atmospheric place, and I have written about it in a previous post. You can find the link here.)