Glencar Lake, Ireland

The words “heaven on earth” have oft been used to describe places dear to a writer’s heart. Such a place of enchantment I’ve found in Glencar, County Leitrim, Ireland.

Glencar’s two-mile-long lough is teaming with salmon and sea trout, and swans float effortlessly on its peaceful, silvery waters. Along the lake’s northern shore, the low road snakes past a now-defunct barritus mine, the Glencar waterfall, old thatched cottages and modern homes.

Those willing to traipse up the mountain alongside sheep and goats to the waterfall or walk up to the lake’s edge can do so from this road. At the lake’s eastern tip, the ascent begins to the high road, where roadside overlooks afford stunning views of the lake and waterfall. On a windy day, the water from the falls blows back up the mountain instead of cascading downwards.

Glancing across the lake, you can see trees shaped in the form of a Celtic knot nestled amidst a patchwork of green fields. Here one of Ireland’s beloved poets, W.B. Yeats, was inspired to write “The Stolen Child.”

Reasonably priced B&Bs and self-serve cottages are readily available. For more information on Yeats, Glencar, and the surrounding area, check out the Yeats Country Driving Tour at geovative.com.