"The Lake Isle of Innisfree"

W.B. Yeates is one of the most famous Irish writers. This particular poem "The Lake Isle of Innisfree" was written in 1888 when Yeates was only twenty-three years old. He talks about going to a lake in Innisfree which is a town in county Sligo on the west coast or Ireland. The narrator wants to build a cabin there and grow beans. It sounds so peaceful to live alone in the Irish country side. The narrator appreciates the small things because he does not have them. He is stuck in the city rather than in the country where he would love to reside. From this poem I see the idea of noticing the small things because they may not always be there.

Boadicea

The strength and right of Celtic woman long ago was incredible. In times when in other places women were though of as property and their sole purpose was to serve men, Celtic nations had female leaders like Boadicea. Boadicea was the queen of the Iceni Tribe who lived under Roman rule peacefully until her husbands death. The corrupt ,male, Roman leaders decided to take advantage of the tribe she protested and was beaten and forced to watch her daughters being raped. But, Boadicea would not back down and she staged an uprising against the devilish Romans who had hurt her tribe and family. Unfortunately, the battle ended in her death along with many others in the tribe. I'm sure that they died with honor fighting for what they believed in under a strong leader, their queen Boadicea.

Bealtaine

I read a poem called Bealtaine from Kate Delahunty's Verses from Ireland and wanted to learn more about the holiday in the poem's subject. To understand the word's meaning -taine means "fire" and usually is referred to as the ancient custom of purifying cattle the eve of the holiday by driving them between two bonfires. In old, Druid Ireland this holiday would have been held at the beginning of summer and in the poem they say it is held on the first of May. The poem informs that the holiday included dancing and feasts as many holidays do. This ancient, mystical holiday must have been very exciting for all who participated in it.