The Islands of Ireland: Island of serendipity

SOME islands are synonymous with writers: JM Synge with Inis Meáin; The Great Blasket with Tomás Ó Criomhthain.

High Island in Co Galway can only have one such associate — the poet Richard Murphy. Murphy’s inspiration and passion for the island was expressed in the ultimate fashion. He bought it. He brings not just a poet’s eye to this remote island. He brings a seafarer’s, a historian’s, an environmentalist’s. His High Island imparts an intimate knowledge of the winds and seas and rocks which surround the island.

He was born in Mayo but brought up in Sri Lanka. His father served in the British colonial service. Perhaps living in Sri Lanka he was aware of the former former name of the island and later in life happened upon High Island as a chance discovery. Before Ceylon it was Serendip, hence serendipity. Idle speculation.