Exploring Ireland Through Maggie O'Farrell's New Novel

A Fresh Start Through a Novel

Maggie O'Farrell's new novel, titled Land, opens with an evocative scene of a young boy and his father far from home, on a "peninsula jutting out into the ocean, like a pleading hand." They are engaged in the task of mapping the wilds of Ireland in 1865.

Tomás, a wise geographer, has brought along his 10-year-old son, Liam, as an apprentice. Despite Liam's reluctance in the biting cold of the sea breeze, he follows his father's instructions to find a water source in a forest. However, Liam soon bolts out, screaming, haunted by a strange experience. With growing concern, Tomás has to crawl into the brush to retrieve his son's lost boot, only to emerge the next day, silent but profoundly changed.

Highlights of the Book

The transformation of Tomás is the centerpiece of Land, an emotional and imaginative novel intertwined with Ireland's history and its legends. While the story revolves around the mapping mission, it also weaves in memories of the Great Famine of the 1840s and reflections on movement in and out of the country, taking readers to Italy, Canada, and back to Ireland's unnamed peninsula.

Concepts of Home and Travel

O'Farrell emphasizes the importance of not naming the land. “I wanted to create a sense of being without a map, so readers can feel what people experienced before the land was mapped.” The story explores the characters' relationships with their homeland in a rapidly changing Ireland, with Ireland itself becoming a character in the narrative.

Having traveled extensively in Ireland since childhood, O'Farrell's experiences greatly influenced the book's content. She spent many summers exploring the beauty of the West Coast of Ireland, feeling that she carries within her two images: the place she was born and the place she grew up.

A Research Trip in Ireland

During her research for the book, O'Farrell took a trip with her son three years ago to seek out ancient wells. She noted that some wells were easily accessible, while others required traversing fields. She was thrilled to discover the wells she had longed to explore.

Heritage and Love for the Land

The novel reflects a deep love for Ireland's cultural heritage. O'Farrell explores sacred wells from pre-Christian times, and although Christian monks attempted to convert them into places of worship, local customs and beliefs have endured. There are remarkable stories about how these wells can heal the mind, highlighting the therapeutic potential of what has existed for centuries.

Stories of Migration

Maggie O'Farrell traveled to Canada to visit Grosse Île, an island that served as a processing station for hundreds of thousands of Irish immigrants, and Ellis Island in New York, which evoked strong emotions about her ancestors' journeys. She shares that seeking out stories of migrants and connecting with her family's history is an integral part of her creative process.

Useful Information for Vietnamese Travelers

For those who love to travel to Ireland, it's essential to understand visa requirements. Vietnamese travelers need to apply for a Schengen visa to enter Ireland. The visa fee is approximately 1,800,000 VND, with processing times ranging from 15 to 30 days.

Main flights from Vietnam to Ireland usually depart from Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) or Noi Bai Airport (HAN). Round-trip ticket prices range from 18,000,000 to 22,000,000 VND, depending on the travel season. The best time to visit Ireland is from May to September, when the weather is pleasant and cultural festivals are in full swing.

Article references from: Condé Nast Traveler