The Isle of Innisfree - (updated)
Innisfree is a real part of Ireland (thanks to Mollybaby's correction) that Yeats uses as the setting for his poem, “The Lake Isle of Innisfree”. Yeats was an Irishman and many of his poems were set in Ireland. This shows that Yeats identifies with his Irish heritage. Not only does he connect with his fellow Irishmen, but he also connects with the land itself.... Enjoy
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UPDATE
Since up-loading this blog I have also found this little piece of information:
The spelling is different
Inishfree (or Inis Fraoigh)is a unique Island of only 640 acres of sandy beaches and breathtaking scenery. There is an air of peaceful tranquillity on this tiny Island that has attracted people to its shores for generations.
Inishfree (or Inis Fraoigh), lying 5km off the coast of Donegal, offers visitors an opportunity to step back to a simpler time, a time without cars, televisions or technology, and to experience the raw natural beauty of a place that for many holds an air of distinctive spirituality.
In Early Christian times Inishfree was controlled by Niall of the Nine Hostages, a local chieftain who became High King of Ireland. In the late medieval period, it was held by his descendants, the clan of Red Hugh O'Donnell, who led the last stand against England's conquest of Ulster.
By the early 20th century Inishfree Island was home to a tightly knit community of 36 Irish speaking families. In the mid 1970s, however, tough economic circumstances saw the sad exodus of the islanders to the mainland. A commune called Atlantis, and known in Ireland as the 'Screamers' due to their use of screaming as a form of therapy, took up residence in 1972 and remained until 1991.
Gradually, since 1991, former islanders, descendants and some mainlanders are moving back to the Island, keen to live closer to nature. The island's new residents are eager to help visitors make the most of their trip and experience the spiritual atmosphere that seems to pervade this unique place. Sea angling, boating, cultural workshops and diving are all available on the Island.
Comments (10)
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Innisfree exists...I've been there
Yeats mainly wrote about the Sligo area, and Innisfree is a small island (isle) on Lough Gill in Co. Sligo.
He was also buried in a tiny graveyard in Co. Sligo,in Drumcliffe, and it is on this tombstone that his famous epitath is written.
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There is the original Irish (Gaelic) spelling for places and these make sense, in that they mean something. For example - Dubh Linn = Black Pool
Then the Vikings came along and pronounced it Dyflinn
Then the English came along and called it Dublin
To make matters even more complicated, the official Irish name for Dublin is Baile Átha Cliath (the town of the ford).
So, the original Irish name means something, but the Anglicised version doesn't, or may not even be related in any way, but they can be called either.
Another example:
Rath Luirc (a town in Co. Cork) means the Ringfort of Luirc
Then the English came along and called it Charleville in the 1600s after Charles II of England.
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but I much prefer the isle of InisOirr
but of course I would
I just love the sound of the harp being played, thank you for that clip, Girl....
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