In Fermanagh
We set off from Larne in pouring rain. Stopping for lunch in a cafe in Omagh, we narrowly missed the beginning of this year's Pride march there. Our cafe window looked out on the town's 'cultural hub', where we were delighted to see a large notice over the door: "Supporting Ethnic Minorities, Refugees and Newcomers". Amen to that.
By the time we were crossing Boa Island in Fermanagh, on the way to our hotel, the skies were clearing. So we made a short detour to see these enigmatic figures in the tiny Caldragh cemetery on the island.
We visited the figures together over 25 years ago, on our way back to Larne from a holiday in Galway. Today the cemetery was deserted and peaceful. It's a jumble of leaning or collapsed gravestones, some thought to be those of infants and/or paupers.
There are three figures in all: these two placed back-to-back, as two distinct figures. There's a third, smaller one nearby. There's no certainty about their age or meaning, though there is plenty of speculation, much of it suggesting early Christian origins. Some of the thinking is summarised here:
Boa Island figures
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