Writing Under Benbulben
– William Butler Yeats, Under Ben Bulben, 1938
I was writing in very good company the other day…
As in the same place the Irish poet, William Butler Yeats, found so much of his inspiration. I was hunkered down in the charming Benbulben Farmhouse B&B near Sligo on the northwest coast of Ireland. The B&B is right beneath beautiful Benbulben mountain, where Yeats drew much of his inspiration.
In fact, I hiked part way up Benbulben one afternoon. Didn’t make it far…but the view was still stunning!
Born in Dublin in 1865, Yeats’ family moved to County Sligo when he was a child. Growing up in that area inspired him to write numerous poems about the natural beauty and peace of the area. Yeats considered the Sligo area to be his spiritual home.
I could see why. I could feel why.
Near the end of his life, Yeats was living in France – but his beloved Benbulben was obviously on his mind because it was in France that he wrote the poem, Under Ben Bulben, in 1938, the year before his death. In the poem, Yeats was writing about himself as already dead. He knew that’s where he was going to be buried.
Not only did he make it clear where he had to be buried, he also made it clear what his epitaph had to be. And sure enough, those are those words carved on his headstone.
To be honest, the meaning of Yeats’ famous three line epitaph wasn’t immediately clear to me. So I did a little research and a common interpretation seems to be that it’s a directive of sorts to the living to gaze unflinchingly and without sentimentality at the realities of human existence – especially death – and move on with our own lives and the business of living.
I’m not sure I entirely agree with that. But it’s certainly made me pause and think.
Yeats was a deeply and intensely spiritual person, though not in a conventional religious sense. He fused poetry, mysticism, magic, symbolism, spirituality and the occult with Irish myth and folklore (and Irish nationalism). The more I learn about William Butler Yeats, the more fascinated I am to learn more…and read more of his work.
I find it interesting that I find myself returning to his old stomping grounds, that was not only a significant source for his spirituality and creativity, it is also a geographical area with a very strong history in Irish folklore. I’m not sure what the pull, for me, to Benbulben is about yet…but if the spirit of Yeats wants me to write, say, a screenplay about him, he’s going to have to wait in line for a year or two until I get caught up on all my other scripts 🙂
It was actually my friend and colleague, Sarah, who first discovered the Benbulben Farmhouse B&B a few years ago when she was traveling in Ireland with her family. Sarah thought it would a perfect place for me to write someday. So in June 2025, I went to check it out for myself. She was right! It was a perfect place for me to write.
I loved the area and the BnB so much, I went back again in May of this year and stayed a little longer…writing to my heart’s content. The hosts at the B&B are absolute gems, the breakfast is scrumptious, the rooms are lovely and the scenery, of course, is breathtaking. If you are planning a trip to Ireland, I highly recommend you stay at few nights at the Benbulben Farmhouse B&B! Be sure to tell the hosts that Maryanne sent you 🙂
Or…if you are a writer and are looking for a lovely place to hunker down and get some writing done, this might be a perfect spot!
As for what I was writing while at Benbulben…
Well, I was putting the finishing touches on the second draft of the manuscript for my next book! It’s entitled Spin, Stumble, Soar; A Little Book of Big Lessons.
I love it! As do my publisher and editor…and I hope you will, too! The book will likely be released in the next 6 to 9 months. There are 180 life lessons in the book – lessons that I have already learned, or am working really hard trying to learn!
#115Who you become matters.
“Set a goal so big that you can’t achieve it until you grow into the person who can.”
– Zig Ziglar
If I had read that quote when I was in my twenties, I suspect the truth of it would have gone right over my head. Now that I’m in my late fifties, I get it. When we set big goals for ourselves, at some point we realize that in order to achieve them, we have no choice but to grow so far outside our comfort zone, we can scarcely recognize the person we once were.
And boy oh boy, am I ever finding this to be true now, perhaps more than ever!
How about you?
What do you think of that quote?
Without further ado, here are some more photos of the Benbulben area:
“Time to put off the world and go somewhere
And find my health again in the sea air.”– William Butler Yeats, Beggar to Beggar Cried, 1914
8 thoughts on “Writing Under Benbulben”
Hey MA, it’s Pamela and Miska here, still perched in Sooke. I loved reading your interpretation of the words of Yeats and learning that’s on his epitaph. I love his poetry. This article inspires me to plan a trip to Ireland….it’s been on my bucket list for quite a while, and the Benbulben B&B looks like a beautiful spot to spend a few days. However, I have decided not to travel as long as Miska is in my care. She’s in her 10th year now. It’s absolutely lovely to picture you on your travels and to read your blogs. Take good care my friend. Hugs from us!
Ma! Congratulations on the new book! I didn’t know you were writing one! I loved the sneak peek. Who are you publishing with? Can’t wait to read it!
xoEsther
I’m glad you love Sligo, I’d recommended a guided tour up Benbulben, it can be dangerous if you aren’t sure of the layout.
I’m enjoying your Twitter posts about your visit.
Hi Val! Good point about the guided tour up Benbulben!! Have you hiked it? I loved walking the Benbulben Forest Loop…that was perfect. Not too steep and the views were stunning.
Glad you are enjoying the Twitter/X posts!
Take care,
Maryanne
Hi Esther! That book came up fast! I got the idea for it after writing the blog last fall (Sept 2025) about the 25 lessons learned over the past 25 years (https://www.pinkgazelle.com/2025/09/28/twenty-five-lessons-learned/).
I ran the idea by my publisher and she loved it! The publisher I work with is Five Arrows Media. They are fantastic and a wonderful fit for many of my upcoming books!!
Take care & talk soon 🙂
Love MA
Hi Pamela!! Wonderful to hear from you! The Benbulben B&B is absolutely lovely! As is the entire area!! I fell in love at first sight 🙂 You will love it when you do go – when the time is right. For now, enjoy your time at home with Miska! I look forward to a long-overdue catch-up visit…perhaps this summer.
Take care & thanks for reading my blogs 🙂
Love MA
Beautiful, as always, land reminds me of The Kootenays, BC Canada!!! Keep on keeping on!!! Thanks for sharing your adventures!
You are very welcome, Lynney!! Hope to see you soon!
Hugs,
MA