T - TANNIN

They set off while it was still dark, moving softly as they left the clan still sleeping after last night’s festivities. By the time the first rays were peeking over the low grey hills they were far away and deep into the portach. At full sunrise they stopped to eat some bread on a solid dome of peat before moving deeper and deeper in.  The morning blue began to change as the sky darkened and the míoltóg descended on their hands and faces as they hurried to get through this terrible place.

As the earth disintegrated beneath them they tied together with a flax rope, as their mother did when they were wains, not to prevent them getting lost, though if the fog came this was possible, but for safety should one of them go down. Clodagh, who was in front, raised her hand and they stopped to remove their shoes which they strung around their necks before pressing on.

Cillian was the first to go as his left leg slipped down, pulling him off kilter and almost overturning him, but Clodagh was on solid ground and pulled him out to no harm, apart from a cold soaking. They stood, heads together, panting. They thought that they were prepared for this but still, it was hard and seemingly endless.

After a time the featureless mat of peat gave way in parts to clear water pools and the hopping seemed easier. At the same time the sun came out again and they stood for a moment with upturned faces relishing the warmth.  Killian began to dance in a strange turning movement, his hands outstretched but Clodagh halted him. It was noon, the sun was directly overhead, and they had no idea which direction to go. Clodagh squatted down and drifted her fingers over a pool of water, causing it to spiral and defract, the sky’s reflection shattering. When the water settled, Clodagh began to see a shape beneath, and she urgently called her twin.

Clodagh and Cillian míoltóg - midge