Jean's Journal: Lough Ree's eco-tourism potential

by Jean Farrell

I came across a lovely travel programme on RTE 2, lately. It’s called The First Class Travel Show and is on, at 8pm, on Thursday nights. Josie Gibson, aged 40, full of enthusiasm and fun, presents this show. It’s a BBC production.

I want to tell you about an experience she had on a recent programme. She was visiting Sweden and I laughed out loud at some of her reactions to various spas.

At one point she was taken to an island which is in the very heart of the Stockholm archipelago. She was to stay on the island for a night, by herself, immersed in nature. Brace yourself for the cost of this, dear readers. £9,000 was the amount for one-night’s stay on the deserted island.

Her accommodation consisted of a fancy tent. There was no electricity and only a basic toilet, in an adjoining tent. There was an outdoor shower.

For £9,000 she would have, and I quote, “The chance to find luxury in nature – the chance to encounter genuine hardship – a chance to have an exclusive, eco-friendly, unique experience, with breath taking views – a chance to find nature’s medicine which benefits one’s very soul.”

All I could think about, as I watched her on this island, was the many Athlone lads who had the very same ‘unique exclusive experience’ on the islands of Lough Ree.

As teenagers they set off in one of their father’s rowing boats. They brought with them bread, butter, fishing rods, matches, a frying pan, a tent, sleeping bags and a few cans of beer.

I’ve often listened to them now, as old men, relive their memories of those adventures. They caught fish, and fried it on a fire which they made by themselves. They were free, they were young and they had the best of times ‘immersed in nature.’ And, need I add, it didn’t cost them a penny!

Now, in fairness to the programme, I must mention that 16 people could share the experience on that island, near Stockholm. There were 8 fancy tents on it (referred to as ‘glamping’) with 2 low beds in each. A chef came daily and cooked meals for all to share. If a group of 16 pals went together to it, the cost would be a mere £562 each, for one night.

All this leads me to a great idea for Irish tourism.

There are over 50 islands on Lough Ree, none inhabited anymore. These are rich in flora and fauna, as well as lush woodland and interesting wildlife. I do appreciate that some of the islands are protected to allow the breeding of waterfowl, and rightly so. Not all of them are protected.

Many of the islands are steeped in history. Their very names tell their stories – Saint’s Island, Nun’s Island, Friar’s Island and Quaker’s Island (on which the famous Queen Maeve of Connaught was killed.)

A lot of them contain ancient ruins of monastic settlements from the early Middle Ages. Did you know that Saint Ciaran first built a monastery on Hare Island (close to Coosan Point) before leaving there to set up his very famous monastery in nearby Clonmacnoise? That was in the 6th century.

Such is the interest in early Christianity that nearly 200,000, people from all over the world, visited Clonmacnoise last year.

During that same era many monks built monasteries and chapels on the islands of Lough Ree. The Viking attacked these, in the 800s and 900s. I was interested to read on Google that, ‘In 1802, an exceptional hoard of Viking jewellery was uncovered on Hare Island. Dating to 937, this included a series of richly decorated gold and silver arm rings, anklets and bracelets.’

Back to my idea for Irish tourism. I am not, for one moment, suggesting that gangs of stag parties (armed with metal detectors) descend on the precious islands of Lough Ree. Perish the thought!

What I am suggesting is that eco-tourists, interested in nature and history, might like to visit these islands. Folk who are on a spiritual journey would benefit greatly from staying there, alone, in the silence and solitude, for a few days. What better place to ‘find one’s self!’

There must be an interest in this type of ‘retreat’ considering that, in Sweden, tourist are prepared to pay so much for the experience.

I have been on these islands myself. Cruisers cannot moor beside them because there are no jetties to tie up to. Sometime we drop anchor nearby. I get into our little dingy and row the short distance ashore.

Peace seems to descend upon me as I stand there, alone, conscious that I am cut off and surrounded by water. I wander a little on the island, amongst the trees and wild flowers. And it really is a spiritual, unique experience. What makes it so is the feeling of isolation and remoteness. When I come across the remains of an anicent church I get a sense of reverence and awe, as I feel a real connection to the monks who lived here, more than a thousand years ago.

There has to be a market for this - for those who are seeking some solitude, for those who are on a spiritual journey searching for meaning in their lives.

To escape to an island on Lough Ree, alone, surrounded by ancient history and sheer beauty, would make anyone’s soul sing. I don’t know who owns the islands. I do know that Yellow Island, close to Hodson Bay, was sold recently for €95,000.

Irish tourism – take note!

jeanfarrell@live.ie