The impression of Lough Derg on Jenny and Bobby

The impression of Lough Derg on Jenny and Bobby

Literature--Twentieth Century--Sean O'Faolain--Lough Derg

Jenny discusses her expectations of the place compared to the reality and hopes that it will not be too commercialized, like Lourdes

Sean O'Faolain, 1900-1991

The Lovers of the Lake', in The Collected Stories of Sean O'Faolain, Vol. 2, pp. 18-43, here pp. 23-24

Constable and Company, London

1981

Citation for the purposes of criticism

Edited edition

English

Collection of short stories

DD_0237

54.606912, -7.860865

“…Confused and hairy-looking clouds combed themselves on the ridges of the hills. The lake was crumpled and grey, except for those yellow worms of foam blown across it in parallel lines. To the south a cold patch of light made it all look far more dreary. [Jenny] stared out towards the island and said:

‘It’s not at all like what I expected.’

‘And what the hell did you expect? Capri?’

‘I thought of an old island, with old grey ruins, and old holly trees and rhododendrons down to the water, a place where old monks would live.’

They saw tall buildings like modern hotels rising by the island’s shore, an octagonal basilica big enough for a city, four or five bare, slated houses, a long shed like a ballroom. There was one tree. Another bus drew up beside them and people peered out through the wiped glass.

‘Oh God!’ she groaned. ‘I hope this isn’t going to be like Lourdes.’

‘And what, pray, is wrong with Lourdes when it’s at home?’

‘Commercialized. I simply can’t believe that this island was the most famous pilgrimage of the Middle Ages. On the rim of the known world. It must have been like going off to Jerusalem or coming home brown from the sun with a cockle in your hat from Galilee.’

He put on a vulgar Yukon voice:

‘Thar’s gold somewhere in them thar hills. It looks to me like a damn good financial proposition for somebody.’"

Short stories