Writer Finds Healing in Northern Ireland
- A New York writer embarks on a journey to heal in a Northern Irish town.
- In 'The Slow Road North,' Rosie Schaap tells a story of finding solace far from home.
- Escaping grief turns into a healing journey of self-discovery.
In her memoir "The Slow Road North," Rosie Schaap explores the complex relationship between grief and healing as she transitions from her life in New York City to a small town in Northern Ireland. Following the devastating loss of her husband to cancer in 2010 and the subsequent death of her mother, Schaap grapples with her emotions and the societal expectations surrounding grief. This turmoil prompts her to seek a significant change in her life. Schaap, a seasoned journalist and educator, has long been captivated by Ireland's rich literary heritage. In 2019, she decides to immerse herself in this fascination by attending a creative writing program in Belfast. Her journey leads her to Glenarm, a picturesque coastal town, where she faces skepticism from friends and neighbors alike about her decision to leave her established life in Brooklyn. Despite her fears of running away from her problems, Schaap commits to integrating into the local community. As she navigates her new surroundings, Schaap finds comfort in the warmth of Glenarm's residents and the beauty of the Irish landscape. Her memoir intertwines personal anecdotes with elements of Irish poetry and history, illustrating how the region's nuanced approach to grief resonates with her own experiences. Ultimately, Schaap discovers that while moving may not "fix" her, embracing a different way of life in Northern Ireland offers her a path toward healing.