I am surely not the first Irish emigrant to have heard these words from their heartbroken mother. Guilt at the impact of my decision to leave Ireland and grief at the loss of my beloved mother are central themes in my poetry collection…

I gaze upon a lonely beach, two figures walking all alone,

Slowly the sun settles in the west, remnants of daylight shone.

From my vantage I see two shadows moving on the beach,

Strolling slowly just within darkness’ reach.

I watch the pair moving slowly along,

And listen carefully, I can hear their song.

A lifetime of love and…

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Have you ever had a place strike at the core of you, even though you've never been there?  It's a sort of remembering....like something calling to you that you don't really understand yet.   Like fog rolling off of hills as the landscape reveals itself, or a walk through a wood so covered in moss and foliage you feel…

Have you ever had a feeling of déjà vu and known it was something you can’t possibly have experienced in your own lifetime? I get this feeling often, a heartfelt pining for a time period I’ve never lived through and a place that I’ve never even visited. Many of these feelings are tied directly to Ireland in the early 20th century and onward. I’ve never been to Ireland and although I’m not about to disclose my age, suffice it to say that while I may not be a spring chicken anymore I certainly…

Sitting quietly alone, gazing out the window at the sight,

Of night’s grasp soon giving way to morning’s light.

The sun slowly rising, erasing the morning gloom

With me sitting quietly alone in that room.

Enjoying the peace and solitude of this place,

A good book in hand, feeling the rising sun in my face.

The smell of eggs, rasher, sausage and toast,

Being prepared by our gracious Irish hosts.

Suddenly out of the corner of my…

A trip to the West of Ireland would be a lifetime dream come true for me.  I have never been to Ireland and have always had a great longing to go.  I live in the western side of San Francisco and have many Irish friends and neighbors.  There is a spirit among these people like no other I have felt before.  My Irish friends are loving, spirited and proud people with a gift of gab.  I love spending time with these lovely people.  I have some Irish roots but have not formally explored my…

From the Wild Westie’s owners a message was conveyed,

Win a free trip back with airfare paid!

You need to tell us why you want to return and have it posted,

On the Wild Irish Geese website where the contest is hosted.

So tell us why in a video, picture, or blog on their site,

And wait for a decision as they pick the one that’s just right.

So here is my entry, a story to tell,

Of a magical journey as I drop my poem…

Endless shades of green everywhere you look

Sounds of water from a babbling brook

Fresh smells the air after a summer shower

As we walk the woods you can feel the power

Of a land whose people love so dear

And with each step taken dwindles our troubles and fears

Soon we gather and board into the Blue Beast

And with steady driver at the helm we head to a pub for a feast

Soon voices, music, and laughter fill the air

And we celebrate…

“Ah, my darlin, surely you've got the map of Ireland on your face.”   He always dropped his “g’s” when speaking. Perhaps it was still a hint of Ireland in his voice.  

As a boy, he along with enough…

On our trip to County Waterford that we won back in 2013, my husband Bill and I  decided to take some extra days and trek northwest while in Ireland, to see the Knock Cathedral in County Mayo. After passing through Waterford we headed up through Tipperary and Offaly before heading into the beautiful Counties of Galway and Mayo, which of course are part of the Wild West of…

'It’s the little things that happened quite spontaneously and unexpectedly that made this trip so special.'

By Marie Evans, Decatur TX

If you enjoy riding on a large bus with a huge group of people you…

Innismurray Island is, perhaps, the gem of the Wild Atlantic Way and is certainly a place where Wild West Irish Tours loves to bring visitors. Steve Hogan was one such visitor this…

Ken and Antonette Kaufman came on a Wild West Irish Tours special "Emigrant Trail Ancestry Tour" to find his family roots. Here is his story:

As long as I can remember, I have had a desire…

One glorious July morning, I was on my way to help John Joe Maher make hay, when I noticed a crowd of strangers in the town square. A film crew, so I strayed from my path and went to see what they were at.…

British filmmaker Ken Loach is turning his practiced muse and penetrating focus once again toward Ireland with a new film exploring the disabilities inflicted on Ireland's working classes, this time in the aftermath of Irish independence.

According to a report this week in…

By James Doherty

A British sailing ship of the "Welp" type.

A deeply unhappy king ordered an inquiry with high-ranking admiralty officials blaming the captain of…

By James Doherty

Photo by James Doherty The cove where the pirates landed. Click on the image for a larger view.

On the 20th of…

By James Doherty

BALTIMORE, COUNTY CORK, Ireland  — On the hillside above the town of Baltimore, faint sounds drifted toward William Harris, sleeping soundly in his bed. It was 2 a.m. when Harris awoke to the noises. The date was June 20th, 1631.…