A MEDAL for ALL THE BOY'S IN GREEN

The Republic of Ireland football fans are to receive an award from the mayor of Paris for their "exemplary sportsmanship" during Euro 2016.
Anne Hidalgo said they will be given the Medal of the City of Paris.

She told the French sports newspaper L'Équipe they had distinguished themselves by the "atmosphere" they created at the tournament in France.

The medal - known as the Grand Vermeil - is regarded as Paris's most prestigious honour and has been awarded to a wide variety of cultural and political figures.
Ms Hidalgo has written to Irish President Michael D Higgins to tell him of the award, but it is not yet known when the ceremony to present the medal will take place.

I believe that the awarding of a medal to football fans for quality behaviour and good humour is unique and I am delighted for them. I can only imagine what kind of a party they are going to have after the presentation for the craic will be mighty!

Post Script

Northern Ireland’s fans also made a big impression on the French at Euro 2016 — and now Paris is going to say “merci”.

The city’s mayor Anne Hidalgo said she would be giving supporters from both sides of the border an honorary medal for their fantastic behaviour.

Further adding that “The supporters from Ireland and Northern Ireland distinguished themselves by their exemplary attitude, fair play and good mood”

VIEWS TO SOOTHE

Whenever I see this building to me it looks like a magnet.
It is in fact an old forge near a river.

Looking at this you might think the photographer was drunk, but no the
road is on the slant.

The half door to a delightful home

You could see this on a calendar. It is what we call a preserved cottage.

He was very inquisitive and friendly
until I picked up the camera!

Jo Cox R.I.P.

Ms Cox was elected to the seat of Batley and Spen at the last general election in 2015.

She was a Remain supporter in the referendum and both official campaigns have suspended their operations as a mark of respect following the attack on her.

Jo Cox's husband Brendan: 'Jo believed in a better world and fought for it every day'

Brendan Cox, the MP’s husband, has issued a statement about her death. He says she would have wanted everyone to unite “to fight against the hatred that killed her”.

Today is the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. More difficult, more painful, less joyful, less full of love. I and Jo’s friends and family are going to work every moment of our lives to love and nurture our kids and to fight against the hate that killed Jo.

Jo believed in a better world and she fought for it every day of her life with an energy, and a zest for life that would exhaust most people.

She would have wanted two things above all else to happen now, one that our precious children are bathed in love and two, that we all unite to fight against the hatred that killed her. Hate doesn’t have a creed, race or religion, it is poisonous.

Jo would have no regrets about her life, she lived every day of it to the full.

Jo Cox

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jun/16/labour-mp-jo-cox-shot-in-west-yorkshire

STONE and CROW

Corcomroe Cistercian Abbey was built during the latter part of the twelfth century by Domnal Mór Ua Briain, who was the King of Thomond of the Dál gCais clan (their lands being counties Clare, Limerick and part of Tipperary).  

Donal was the patron of several such religious buildings and I presume that this investment paid off by having the clergy under your control and onside during the Norman invasion which was instigated by the King of Leinster, Diarmait Mac Murchada. It was four hundred years later that the Dál gCais finally came under Anglo - Norman control.

The last Abbot was John O’Dea in 1628, after which it became dissolute.

In the bottom righthand corner you can see a warning notice about not standing on the graves.

Tomb of Conor O'Brien, King of Thomond who died in 1268.

During my recent visit to Corcromroe Abbey I and a local man were rather disappointed with the visitors who, with total lack of awareness, were walking across the gravestones as if they were paving slabs. 

This, despite the numerous notices asking them not to do so. 

They seemed not realise that they were walking on history and graves, a great many years older than the U.S. itself.

My fear is that eventually these old inscribed stones will be so worn away that there will be nothing left to admire. 

The central carving above is believed to be an anchor? 

An arch of hearts?

I talk to the crows and have been doing so for a number of years. 

When I noticed this one perched high up on a gable end I called up and said 

“ Hello Crow, I have come to visit your home place” to which I received a soft 

‘ Caw - awk ’ in return, as she glanced down at me.

You have to mind yourself with Crows and treat them carefully for they can understand what we say; in a similar way the Starlings too can understand me.

Several months back our wonderful black cat, Magic, died and as I was burying him the Starlings were sat in a long line on a wire above the garden noisily chattering away to each other. 

I wanted silence to do what I had to do, so I raised my arms to them and said 

“Be quiet now, show some respect” and they remained silent until all was complete.

If you visit the links below you can read more about the Abbey, in greater detail.

http://www.megalithicireland.com/Corcomroe%20Abbey,%20Clare.html

http://www.monastic.ie/history/corcomroe/

ttp://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/history/autumnal_rambles/corcumroe_abbey.htm

I won't be updating this blog until after the Summer Solstice - 20th June.

Where the Burren Kisses the Sea

Today the summer rain falls intermittently, warm showers that caress the tall grasses of our front garden, as a compassionate watering from the caring and senior goddesses of this land Eriu, Banba and Fódla who still stroll the length,breadth and through this ancient island giving of themselves; By inspiring their children to seek a fulsome life mixing the blends of histories and modernity.

Yesterday we went on excursion close to the now familiar landscape of the Burren. This time it was as a backdrop, for on centre stage was its sea shore and in particular Linnane’s Pub at New Quay which is noted for its Sea Food. We had visited before and had our hungry appetites sated, our visit on this occasion was no different for the crab cakes accompanied by a fresh mixed salad was delicious.

http://linnanesbar.com

At New Quay

THE CRAB BOAT

Aughinish Bay leading to leading eventually to Corranroo Bay at its head which is so

 encumbered by sand banks and shallows that boat skippers are advised not to enter. 

After lunch we took ourselves for a short drive on the narrow road that borders the Flaggy Shore,  one of nine sites of geological interest and importance in Co. Clare. This is where the fringes of the famed Burren limestone kisses the sea and mingles with the erratic rock types of sandstone and granite, deposited about twelve thousand years ago after the last Ice Age.

Typical geology of the Flaggy Shore.

Here also stands Mount Vernon, the former summer home of Lady Augusta Gregory of Coole Park, Co. Galway, patron of the Arts and friend of the Poet W.B Yeats.

http://www.hiddenireland.com/bb_property/mountvernon-house-clare

http://mountvernon.ie/cms/history

The play of gentle waves that create dreams.

20 - 20 VISION

Last week I had an appointment with an optician
one that was new to me. I changed because of the
serious errors that the last one made.

I chose red frames as they are perfect for my temperament and skin tone.
Mrs. H liked them because they made a statement.

These are for reading and very like my old glasses.

***

I love the new red glasses, what do you think?

WEEDS and THINGS

Looking out from the studio door at weeds and things.

Our ritual circle is blessed with daisies.

The mighty Ash it really is this colour and is the tallest tree in our
garden. In the foreground towards the left a small standing stone
which sends energy into the ritual circle.

A Goddess in our garden close by the Ash, in whose lap gather leaves,
fallen blossoms and berries.

A late blooming Rowan facing north her florets look truly full of goodness

A close up of a cluster of Rowan florets.

TOBY our protector.

In Celebration of June

The oldest Rose in my garden it was grown from
a cutting but not by me, for I don't have green fingers.

A compote of blooms at the southern entrance.
I rarely prune unless they obstruct me !

A mass of Hawthorn blossom behind the studio is grounded by Lilac

She is delicate, pink and runs wild. Her fragrance
 though has a much lower note than the old Rose!

Just as the Lilac grounds the Hawthorn above so too does
a sneaky white flower behind ground the Lilac.

I just had to share with you the sky above us this morning.