R and R

You may have noticed that I have been absent from the world of blogging for a considerable time and my excuse is that I accompanied Mrs H  who was exhibiting her artwork, for a little over 9 weeks, at The Loughcrew Megalithic Centre near Oldcastle in Co. Meath. It was very successful and we met a lot of interesting people from all over the world, as well as making lots of new friends and reconnecting with old ones.

Physically we both felt weary after the exhibition closed so we decided to treat ourselves to a bit of R and R to recharge our batteries.

We have a favourite place in which to do this, a world away from our habitat, a place that I can best describe as being an area of old wildness that is skirted by the sea, a place that has always revitalised us with it's gentleness.

Please enjoy the photos.

Tell me do you too have a favourite place where you recharge your inner battery ?

A refurbished Norman Towerhouse

A ladies bike with no sign of the owner and just to make sure that she had not

jumped into the sea I did take a look.

Seeing this oarsmen reminded me of a favourite piece of music, The Lonesome Boatman.

Have a listen HERE

This old timer always catches my eye.

I'm not sure whether the yacht on the quay side has recently been removed from the water or if she has been there all summer. 

As for this green hulled boat I assume that it is a workboat of some kind or other.  

One thing is for sure it is the first craft I have ever seen to have exhaust pipes on 

either side of the wheelhouse.

A bird on the loose ?

Long ago, in a former occupation of mine, seagulls were known as being

re-incarnated Fleet Chief Petty Officers, others knew them as shite hawks.

Now here is a really tidy, neat and clean looking sloop to be proud of.

What about this elderly lady, isn't she in good shape for her age ?

I bet her owner is very proud of her !

A PERFECT PADDY'S DAY

I just had to breakout and celebrate and as you can see Hazel over did it ... !

The best of Irish Ale - BlackDonkeybeer.com

With this Lady backing us how could we lose...

THE  GRAND SLAM TROPHY HELD ALOFT

IRELAND 24 - ENGLAND 15

These lads came on as Champions and left as IRISH GODS !

Members of the disappointed English team.

Ireland Is

What does Ireland mean to me ? 

To answer this question I must use an analogy, it is if I was an orphaned child seeking its Mother before I came here.

Prior to my first arrival in the Belfast area, in 1986, and then later that year after travelling down to Cork in July, there occurred what I can only describe as a mystical experience. She, who I call Mother Ireland, stepped silently into my inner core, where she still resides and continues to nurture my very essence for which I am very grateful.

I can tell you that there have been a few times since living here when I have been very ashamed of my birth country England because of its inhumane actions and deeds towards Ireland and the Irish people.

Such have been my experiences that I no longer have any desire to visit England and nor do I have any pride of place towards it. 

For Ireland is my home. I do acknowledge that England is the country of my birth and I was educated there from childhood to be discerning.

So today this migrant looks back at England and the changes that have taken place over the years. That I see a nation skewered by authoritarianism and indignation that knows not how to care for all of its citizens. There appears to be no love or tolerance. These gifts seem to be so rare and generally misunderstood, instead there is a dichotomy of fear and punishment pervading the land of my birth. Perhaps it has always been present and I failed to recognise the fact?

If you are a migrant do you feel truly at home in the country of your choice ?

Affirmation !

Time of 1615 Sunset at Birr, Co. Offaly on 1st Dec 2017 which I was unable to resist

and taken with my iPhone SE

RELAXED at LOUGH ENNELL

When words are no longer required...

OLD TIMERS

'Old Timers' are the many vernacular cottages and often deserted homes scattered across our rural landscape. The photo's that follow are a selection of some of the buildings in three counties.

Beneath the shroud of greenery lies a once handsome cottage with a tiled roof.

It caught my eye twenty odd years ago and I often wondered if anyone would appreciate its very private location and buy it, nobody did so nature has now taken over.

This one too has always attracted me. There were once figures on the porch roof but since the recent clean up they have sadly disappeared. I wonder if a 'For Sale' sign will shortly be seen, for it has a useful level field behind and would make a good wee home for someone with the energy to care for the place.

No hope for this old home I guess as it is only a couple feet from a busy road.

This old timer has seen it's folks move way and the present owner can see no value

in even maintaining it as a useful store. It is very sad to see unwarranted neglect.

A long house where music and yarns would have almost lifted the rafters off whilst the owners jigged the night away.

Once referred to as an Irish cabin, most likely thatched and now sheeted over with corrugated iron, then converted to a shed: the doorway increased in width to accommodate cattle.

All is not lost for this old gatehouse is now occupied and provides a sturdy home

for it's owners.

Yet another gatehouse that we often pass by. 

This was the original gate lodge for Castle Bernard, renamed Kinnitty Castle.

 The present entrance and driveway is now at Beech Lodge.

HERD of a DIFFERENT COLOUR

Yarn Bombers have been busy in the small Co. Laois town of Mountmellick,

it is also rumoured that the men of the town will be suffering 

from cold feet this winter.
Well done to the Women of Mountmellick!

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.