Ballyholme: A Little Corner of Heaven
You can take the girl out of Ireland, but you can’t take Ireland out of the girl.
After Daddy retired, my parents moved to Bangor, Northern Ireland. Their house was a five minute walk from Ballyholme Beach.
I often wonder, of all the beaches in the world, why it felt so special. It became even more important to me after Daddy died. In the mornings, when Mum would lie-in, I set off for an early morning jog along the beach. About 1.3km of sand, peppered with shells and pebbles.
I remember Dad telling me, that on a clear day, you could see Scotland across the Irish Sea. He’d joke, that I might have a long wait. Too often the weather was in default mode, wet and overcast, and shapes were ill-defined. It didn’t stop me looking, and remembering my father’s words. Salty tears mingled with the drizzle.
Strange though, I found solace in the bleakness. There was something magical about the peacefulness, the lone dog walkers with their hoods pulled up, and a dearth of frantic bustle. After London, it really was a little piece of heaven.
They say authors should write about what they know. My latest novel, The Woman in my Home, uses the setting of Ballyholme as the backdrop to much of the action. I’ve also included an eclectic mix of Irish characters, and must own up, that I share many traits with both Flo and Ciara.
Writing the novel has brought back old memories, recall threaded through the book. I used to pop into the café at the top of Bangor High Street for a daily sausage roll, and strong builders’ tea. Often I’d sit by the marina and watch the boats bob up and down. At one end of the beach, I’d walk round the yacht club where grander boats were moored.
And, of course, there were the friendly, warm, and welcoming pubs. Mum and I would talk for hours over wine and whiskey. Wine for me, whiskey and ginger for Mum. Our local was a cosy pub on the Esplanade with views out across the sea. We’d sit for hours and put the world to rights. Patrick, a character in my novel, is the stereotypical Irish landlord. Charming, welcoming, and with a twinkle in his eye.
I miss Ballyholme, but since Mum passed away, I haven’t been back. But it’s up there on my bucket list. Or should I say, Bucket and Spade list!
You can pick up Diana’s brand new book The Woman in my Home here: https://mybook.to/Womaninmyhomesocial