I saw this post at our friend Le Drake Noir’s blog and I thought that the image portrayed a kind of content happiness, a lady waiting for a loved one to return. For some reason, it reminded me of a place I once visited in Ireland, which, for me, gives quite the opposite feeling. We were out for a drive, taking in the scenery (a beautiful place, Ireland) and we stopped so I could take this picture, (as we often do), before we reached the bridge. It was a dull and overcast day, having a somewhat melancholic feel to it – perhaps because we were returning hope next day.
The little bridge is located in County Donegal, Ireland. It has a number of names, all of a similar meaning – The Bridge of Sorrows, The Crying Bridge and The Bridge of Tears. There’s a plaque to the right of the bridge giving an overview of the reason for the name. People on the west side of the large ‘Muckish Mountain’ had to walk over this bridge on their trudge to the port of Derry (aka Londonderry) on the Eastern side of Ireland. And it was here they would part company with their loved ones. Loved ones who were to be left behind to face the famine and poverty that the travellers were attempting to escape from. The travellers were seeking a better life, typically in Canada and US. And it was here tears were shed at the knowledge they would never see each other again, possibly never hearing from each other or of each other – back in the 19th and early 20th century communication was almost not existent, trips were invariably one way. No wonder the bridge has the name it has (Thank you, Alexander Bell, Guglielmo Marconi, and others – I wonder if you realised just what you did for us!)
——Stephen—–
Stephen G Hipperson 
Thanks for the story. Without it, my reaction/instinct is to hit the brakes. A powerful image.
Pictures have great power. Words have great power. Bring the two together and they can compliment one another nicely, thank you! 😉
Wonderful post!
That’s kind of you, thank you!
Yes, thanks for the background story. A lovely place despite the history, I think.
I suspect the emotions must have been very mixed. Sorrow certainly, but also relief on both sides, pride perhaps, bravery, heroism, sacrifice.
From a photographic sense, I would really love to have a crack at the bridge from different angles, especially on a misty/foggy day.
A great shot, what a view and a great story around the shot
– loves that kind of stories even them with happy endings, that’s life… 😉
“that’s life” .. absolutely – you have to live it to be in it. (I think… ;))
Nice natur-shot
Thank you!
Your story makes the photo so much better. Thanks for sharing.
‘Words are mightier than the sword.’ ‘ A picture says a thousand words.’ Put the two together….. 😉
What a hauntingly powerful story to go with your beautiful image, sir…
Thank you.
Thanks for this piece of history. I can imagine fitting it in with my museum job where I tell the story of an Irish immigrant in Wisconsin. She left County Longford with husband and infant and later was widowed in the new place with 3 small children. A life of moving through change and goodbyes.
I guess the basic story is true for many people of different nationalities, travelling to new places, leaving loved ones behind and dealing with whatever the new life throws at them. I’m sure many would wonder if it was all worthwhile – but each of us must thank them, otherwise we may not have been here.
so impressive… and interesting story. Thank you, love, nia
The story belongs to them, the landscape too – I just happened to be there to take the picture. 😉
Stephen why do you call it the bridge of tears, is that the name for it or did come up with that yourself. You have some really beautiful shots here
I didn’t come up with the name myself. From my research the bridge has an Irish Gaelic name which has no exact translation but people have suggested Bridge of Sorrows, The Crying Bridge and the Bridge of Tears. I chose the Bridge of Tears version for the title of the picture because tears can be of joy too – I imagined the situation where somebody might return and meet their loved ones again – can you imagine that?…..
Wow that is very interesting, Like the one lonely bridge out in the middle of nowhere, I see it fits now.
yes – I chose to show the hill as a wall – in the original frame there was a bit of sky poking out at the top of the frame, but by cropping it out, the hillside seems impenetrable – something to go round?
Yes it turned out nice