With its famous tiered cliffs and rolling green pastures, its rocky, sheep-dotted hills and long, sparkling strands, the west coast of Ireland has attracted writers and artists for centuries. Not only are many of the country's most famous writers native to the region, making it unequivocal in its poetic appeal, but many still seek its pristine coasts and unspoiled villages as an escape from modern life, or perhaps, for the writer as a place in which to see the modern more clearly. From Dingle to Donegal, Ireland's west coast is famous for its natural beauty, and is an ideal haven for writers. The scenery and wildness of the west alone is enough to inspire lines of prose or verse, and the thriving musical culture and warm hospitality of the communities offer ongoing sustenance for the creative spirit.
With its stark granite boulders and pine-edged, dazzling Atlantic shores, the coast of Maine has and continues to beckon to those of an authorial temperament, and rightly so. From Bar Harbor to Kennebunkport, Maine's seashore is brimming with artists and authors, authentic, oceanfront towns and clean-lined, historical architecture. There is something in the salty air and fog-blanketed mornings, something about the overcast New England climate that appeals to writers and nourishes them. Though the city of Portland offers a thriving cultural scene, much of the coast's charm resides in its lesser-known harbors and villages, reminiscent of one of Elizabeth Bishop's poems. With its crisp, breathtaking landscape, it is no wonder that so many writers choose to make this state's coastline their home.
Famous for its unparalleled arts scene and its rich literary history, the Big Apple is certainly a mecca for writers, and a city where many still choose to make their homes. From Henry James' Washington Square stamping grounds to the streets of Harlem to the White Horse Tavern, one can scarcely turn the corner in New York without running into a writer or a literary landmark. The city itself is a constant source of stimulation and curiosity. If the busy streets themselves become overwhelming, Central Park sits like an oasis in the midst of everything, providing an escape, a place to sketch out notes for a novel or envision the first scene of a play. The urbanite author's paradise, New York continues to earn its legendary literary reputation.
For those writers predisposed to snow, to the intimacy of thick-forested mountains and the white-fenced lawns of small New England towns, the Green Mountain State's wholesome, covered-bridge landscapes hold lasting appeal. From craft fairs to farmer's markets, Vermont's culture, rooted in tradition and in the land itself, is an ideal place for authors to put down roots and re-connect with their creative influences.