Dawn Rosslare Harbour

I have to travel to England* this week with work and was awoken by the sounds of the harbour activities (light sleeper), but got a few pics of dawn on the harbour and the ferry coming in.

*Even though I will be in England I still got some nice pics on the drive to the ferry that I hope to post during the week if I get internet coverage.

Random shots around Sixmilebridge, East Clare

This Sculpture is in the river in Sixmilebridge

The rest of the shots were taken around the area.The first one stood out because all the trees around this area were bare except this one.

Sunset & Daybreak

Less than 10 hours later

Kilkishen morning mist at the lake, County Clare

I had to wait here this morning to meet people, as the mist was raising of the lake, sweet.

Birds taking flight

Panorama view of one side of the lake just as the mist was rising

After the mist

The Fairy tree that delayed a motorway. Ennis Co Clare

The little fairy tree that moved a motorway!

In 1999 the upgrading of the National route from Limerick to Galway was delayed, rerouted and eventually opened nearly 10 years after it was supposed to have started. The Clare County Council as part of their Contract had protect the fairy tree 'access is not permitted within a minimum 5m radius and a protective fence has been erected around it.'

Eddie Lenihan local folklorist and story teller who was known in Ireland came into the spotlight internationally when he raised an objection, because this tree is the meeting point for the faeries of Munster (southern region of Ireland) when they go into battle with the faeries of Connaught (western region of Ireland). People magazine and others raised the story along with all the local papers and radio stations. The road was moved to accomodate the faeries, but it still means that they have to cross a busy motorway on their way to the meeting place!
In 2002 someone attacked the tree during the night with a chainsaw (maybe it was those  pesky Connaught faeries), but they only took its branches. The tree grew back, though the bad news for the person that cut the tree is that folklore says that if you cut the tree, you will never get a good nights sleep again!

Cloudscapes and sunset Galway

Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams. 
WB Yeats 'He wishes for the Clothes of Heaven'

Longwalk Galway

A shot of sunset on the long walk beside the golfcourse

"I took a stroll on the on the old long walk

and I met a little girl and I stopped to talk on the fine soft day

and I ask you friends whats a fella to do when her hair is black and her eyes are blue"

Lyrics from the Galway Girl (click here to hear)

Best hotel I have stayed in Ireland

This is the best place and best value for money hotel that I have stayed in so far in Ireland. The place is the Viewmount in Longford town and the owner was very friendly and chatty and has done most of the work on the gardens etc he has created himself. Though the harsh winter has taken its toll on the garden he is trying to rebuild them.
Sorry about the quality, it was getting late and I had low light for some of these shots

Herb Garden

The Restaurant

Garden in the front with tunnels to wander through, rockeries over them with little paths and water ponds

The rooms the first Johns (one of the guys working with me),  as you can see he was a little happy with the room

 My Room, not photographed me or the Jacuzzi tub

All the furniture was quality antique mixed with modern and tastefully done and all for the princely sum of 50 Euros Bed and Breakfast, it also has a fantastic restaurant. Prices may vary there were a few of us and it was quiet mid week.
 check it out viewmounthouse.com

Old country Graveyard, Carrick, Co Kildare.

This is the thought to date back to the 13th Century, the Castle beside it is from the Birmenghams of Carbury.

Camouflaged cross is well camouflaged!!

A castle ruin beside the graveyard