Summary

The web content is a poetic retelling of the Celtic legend of the river goddess Sionann, who sought wisdom at Connla's Well and was transformed by the experience.

Abstract

The text is a lyrical poem that weaves the tale of Sionann, a figure from Irish mythology, who sought profound wisdom from Connla's Well. Despite warnings, she approached the well and consumed the Salmon of Wisdom, granting her unparalleled knowledge but leading to a cataclysmic event where the well burst forth, drowning her and sweeping her out to sea. The poem evokes vivid imagery of the natural world, drawing parallels between the cycles of nature and the mythical narrative. It speaks of the interconnectedness of the landscape, the river, and the legendary events that unfolded, suggesting that the essence of Sionann continues to permeate the land and its lore.

Opinions

The poem conveys a reverence for the natural world, equating its beauty and power with the mythical events that shaped the land.
There is an underlying theme of the pursuit of knowledge and its potential consequences, as seen in Sionann's fate.
The author seems to hold the legend of Sionann in high regard, presenting it as a foundational element of the region's cultural heritage.
The imagery used in the poem suggests a deep respect for the mythology and the lessons it imparts about wisdom, nature, and the human

A SPRING

Long stalks of rain

are growing from the skies

down towards ash-black soil

softer than deer hearts

frozen in concentration

at river banks

Everything that is not here

lies beyond these waters — more effusive

than a fisherman’s song

when come evening time

they sail back to theirs rocky homes

settled at Shannon’s ridges

winding like a maggot in a downpour

and greener still

than eyes of women

that bear the same name

Wise men of Cuilcagh –

the orchard’s guardians

they knew the danger

sowing the seeds of forbidden fruits

that she will come — an innocent girl

who’d turn her lips and then flow

like morning dew into the world

of underground streams

And when September fog will fall

her ghost will rise up through the night

and like a sea gull at open sea

hanging in midair once more

she will look

into the depths of Lough Allen[1]

[1] * Poem refers to the Celtic legend of goddess Sionann. According to Irish mythology, the river was named after a woman named Sionann (older spelling: Sínann or Sínand), the grand-daughter of Lir. She went to Connla’s Well to find wisdom, despite being warned not to approach it. In some sources she, like Fionn mac Cumhaill, caught and ate the Salmon of Wisdom who swam there, becoming the wisest being on Earth. However, the well then burst forth, drowning Sionann and carrying her out to sea.