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Irish woman in a shawl

"We drove slowly, enjoying the rare and exquisitely varied landscape, until our attention was attracted by a woman standing by the water's brink, whose eyes were looking towards the sea-path where it leads to the broad Atlantic. There was something firm and statue-like in her figure, and her face had an earnest, intense expression, that accorded with her high Spanish features and dark hair; a large shawl enveloped her head and draped her shoulders; her legs and feet were bare. We drove on about half a mile further, and when we returned she was there still on the same spot, with the same fixed and earnest gaze over the waters. This excited our curiosity, and the information we received was a very striking and gratifying illustration of the devotedness of woman's love..."

From Ireland, Its Scenery, Character, &c, by Mr & Mrs S. C. Hall, circa 1850.

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