Our intention this time was to visit several places that Mrs. H has had her beady eye on for the past few weeks so at the weekend we set off on a round trip of two hundred and thirty-three miles. The weather was perfect, the coffee in the flask was strong and the road was ours.
Apart from visiting the places that were on our schedule, my navigation brought us to a small home that I had long heard about but had never seen. Finding it was a surprise and a treat for sore eyes.
Eamon De Valera’s home-place at Bruree in Co. Limerick.
&
The Galtee Mountains
photo taken from Lattin in Co. Tipperary
The highest peak in the Galtee range is Galtymore which rises to 917 m (3,009 ft). Although not the highest mountain in Ireland it is very impressive and can be seen as a great backdrop on the skyline. Some of the best views can be found when approaching Cashel, Co.Tipperary from the north and onwards towards Tipperary Town.
The Galtees are classified as having a High Fall risk for ramblers, with steep and dangerous areas as well as being very wet underfoot so great care must be taken when walking there.
My favourite view of The Galtees
By mentioning The Galtee Mountains and Eamon De Valera it has brought to mind a song about a comrade-in-arms of his which I share with you here:
The song of the Galtee Mountain Boy
We continued along our route, travelling further south until we finally saw the outline of Cnoc Fírinne, Co. Limerick. Known as the Hill of Truth or of truthful prediction, because it serves as a weather glass to the people of the surrounding plains who can predict whether the day will be wet or dry by the appearance of the summit in the morning. It is here by tradition that the Irish God, Donn, has another home.
The Hill of Truth
Cnoc Fírinne
I find it humorous that the male gods are more than likely to be found in the high places and associated with weather, death and truth, whilst their female counterparts are generally found lower in the landscape, in caves, valleys and rivers.
On the drive home we both felt a bit weary and yet satiated from all that we had seen, the happy memories of which will remain with us. Thank you for visiting this blog and I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed sharing it.
Is there such a thing as "Galtee Cheese" - I remember someone telling me that the cyclist Stephen Roche used to advertise it.
ReplyDeleteYes there is and also Galtee Bacon and Puddings too one Black and the other is White all three are delicious Simon. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteInteresting information about deValera, always picture Alan Rickman as deValera after the movie Michael Collins
ReplyDeleteYes Janet. Mrs H feels the same way :-)
DeleteHi Mel - lovely seeing the views - stunning ... and reading a little about them ... I'm loving the music too. Interesting to read about deValera ... and his history from the States, that that saved him ... so he could go on and become such a statesman ... So glad you both had a happy day out ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThank you Hilary, glad that you enjoyed the song. There were a couple of others who escaped execution by being born beyond the shores of these islands, who after serving a prison sentence the British deported... such tragic times.
DeleteLovely photographs Heron. de Valera was a hero of my father's. I remember him well.
ReplyDeleteGoodness me Pat now that is a surprise about you knowing de Valera!
DeleteThank you for the comment.
Mel, I notice in many of your photos that the landscape views are vast. the cell /communication towers are on the high points where the best lookouts would be. rather ironic that they were the spots of power long ago, possibly of castles..... and today hold communication towers which seem to hold power over all of us... the same but different.
ReplyDeleteOh well observed Gwen, although it is not just communication masts on the heights, for some of them also have enormous christian crosses on them too. In fact the cross on Cnoc Fírinne has been planted on the top of a bronze age burial mound - a double whammy you might say :-)
Deleteoh yes...oops, cannot forget the power of the church..
Deleteand that power over here is rapidly waning... these days.
DeleteLovely blog on history and the photos of the mountains impressive, do you have any 'sleeping beauty' silhouettes around you formed on the mountains?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment Thelma, the most notable goddess in the landscape are The Paps of Anu in Co.Kerry please view http://theeverlivingones.blogspot.ie/search?q=the+paps
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