The Æ George Russell Society held its first ‘Convention’ in North Donegal. The visiting group comprised Æ enthusiasts from Dublin, parts of Northern Ireland and Britain and even from as far away as Minneapolis, USA, as well as some local people interested in the great man and his connections with Donegal.
The group gathered firstly in Dunfanaghy to walk in the footsteps of Russell who had spent his summers in North Donegal for over 30 years, roughly from 1900 until 1933. Among the places visited were Marble Hill where Russell had stayed with the distinguished Law family and Breaghy where he had stayed with the Stuart family at a place known as ‘Janie-on-the-Hill’. He had produced many of his finest paintings in these locations, and the group included a visit to his former studio in the mystical ‘Fairy-House’ deep in the woods above Marble Hill strand. Over the years, Russell had brought many special visitors to Marble Hill and to the ‘Fairy House’ including the composer, Clifford Bax and Æ’s close friend, Pamela Travers, the author of ‘Mary Poppins’.
There were further group visits to Horn Head, Creeslough and Magheroarty. These locations also inspired much of Russell’s highly regarded poetry.
The group also enjoyed a visit to Glenveagh Castle and National Park once home to Æ’s close friend and Harvard professor, Kingsley Porter and wife Lucy. Kingsley Porter mysteriously disappeared off the island of Inishbofin in 1932 (thought to have drowned) when Russell had been waiting for him at Magheroarty pier. Glenveagh Castle has a number of Russell’s paintings on permanent display.
Overall, the group had a very enjoyable visit to the area and were delighted to see the places associated with Æ and to connect with local people who still appreciate the important links between Russell and their area.
