Page 201 - Guerin Media | The Wild Atlantic Way

Moore was himself a Catholic who became wealthy
through trade with Spain. In 1798, Moore's son had the
distinction of becoming Ireland's first president – he
was declared president of the Republic of Connaught by
General Humbert in what is remembered as “the year
of the French”. This was one of Ireland's early strikes at
revolution.
Mayo boasts some of the finest scenery in Ireland,
far from commercial centers and the trappings of our
modern world here one can enjoy deep peace and a
tranquility that is rare. With it's vast stretches of open
countryside, ancient blanket bogs and unpolluted
beaches, the Erris region is considered one of the
best places to “Go Wild” in Ireland. Travel out to this
fabulous frontier to where some of the first settlers
arrived in Ireland at the Céide Fields over 5,000 years
ago. The stone walls of these early farmers are still visible
today.
Take a dip in the crystal waters that lap on Mayo's shores
or head out on a boat trip to explore some of the ancient
monastic sites to be found on Mayo's many Islands –
these include Inis and Inis Glora where the Children of
Lir are said to have spent 300 years living as swans.
Europe's largest offshore island, Achill Island, is easily
accessible by the Michael Davitt Bridge named after the
founder of Ireland's nineteenth century Land League
which sought to abolish landlordism, demanding “the
land of Ireland for the people of Ireland”. Here you can
experience the highest cliffs in all of Europe which rise a
shocking 2,192 feet above sea level. Belmullet although it
is not widely known as such, also shares a special Island
feeling, it is connected by a narrow bridge with the sea.
Clare Island we have mentioned earlier, was home to
Ireland's “Pirate Queen”. Visiting one of Mayo's Island's
is a great opportunity to experience the thrill and
exhilaration of travel by boat, to ride the salty waves of
Ireland's wild atlantic is to relish life itself.
Mayo will bring you to yourself, it will test you with it's
awe and beauty- it's vast open spaces. Here you can find
a deep peace and enjoy a breath of the freshest of fresh
air. Come and experience the west, at it's wildest!
Seanfhocail (Old Saying)
Is fearr comhairle le ceanach ná comhairle in aisce
Learning from your mistakes is better than free advice
199
The Pipe
In a struggle that has been compared to
that of the mythical Tuatha De Dannan
and the invading Formorians,or indeed
David and Goliath, Erris is the site for
questions of national conscience and
international intrigue. The Characters
associated with this most mystical part
of Ireland weave a compelling story. On
one side the local people who wish to
preserve the health of their environment
for future generations. A multinational oil
and gas company, with the acquiescence
of the Irish government, is a formidable
foe in this tale – choosing to build a gas
processing facility on-land rather than a
customary practice of processing at sea.
Local concerns have fostered solidarity
between the people of this remote region
of Erris, and the resistance of ordinary
people in Australia, in the Niger Delta
and even struggles in the Antarctic – as
local communities seek to raise awareness
of the safety and environmental risks
associated with “the great gas give
away”. An alternative we have seen in the
growing grass-roots Transition Towns
Initiative is to localise energy through
renewable resources. Among those who
can see the vulnerability engendered
by our dependence on fossil fuels, it is
agreed that it is in all of our interests
both to create local and sustainable
solutions for our needs for energy,
ensuring a green future for all. Through
an award winning film “The Pipe”, this
story has come to international attention.