Wildflowers, Leitrim Lanes & Iron Mountains

...the fields between the lakes are small, separated by thick hedges of whitethorn, ash, blackthorn, alder, sally, rowan, wild cherry, green oak, sycamore, and the lanes that link them under the Iron Mountains are narrow, often with high banks. The hedges are the glory of these small fields, especially when the hawthorn foams into streams of blossom each May and June...      

   

...These hedges are full of mice and insects and small birds, and sparrowhawks can be seen hunting all through the day. In their branches the wild woodbine and dog rose give off a deep fragrance in summer evenings, and on their banks grow the foxglove, the wild strawberry, primrose, fern and vetch among the crawling briars"  From John McGahern's autobiography "Memoir"  (text in italics is copyrighted)

Here are some photos of the very hedges, fields and wildflowers he describes. All were taken in the field and ditches along the edge of  my wild garden on the Iron Mountains, County Leitrim

 

One of our best ever writers was John McGahern. He is the author of six highly acclaimed novels and four collections of short stories, and has been the recipient of many awards and honours, incliuuding the Society of Authors, the American-Irish Award, the Prix Etrangere Ecureuil and the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, "Amongst Women", which won both the GPA and the Irish Times Award, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and made into a four-part BBC television series. His work has appeared in anthologies and has been translated into many languages. He was born and lived in County Leitrim, Ireland.

His autobiography "Memoir" is truly an awesome story that is unputdownable. It was published under a different name in America, (I think it was titled "All Will Be Well) I will find out what is is and add it here.

Comments

[Mary]

Pam, What a wonderful blog you have. I have spent most of my morning reading your posts and have enjoyed them all. Your cottage is beautiful and you are so clever and crafty. I think you are right...we are cut from the same cloth and I do have some of that Irish blood in me! I will be back to enjoy your days with you.
mary