A pirate's life for me....

While we were out touring one day we came across an old Norman castle that was once the hangout for the dreaded pirate Gráinne Ní Mháille (c. 1530 – c. 1603) (aka Grace O'Malley).






During her day Grace was notorious for commanding a small fleet of ships that 'taxed' any ships that passed through her seas along the west coast. She knew the small tidal bays along the rocky coast so well that her ships could disappear in a matter of moments, and her pursuers were often left stranded on sand dunes. Her brash style and fearless antics actually endeared her to just about everyone she met. Even Queen Elizabeth I was taken with her. The legendary meeting happened when Grace sailed to London and met with the monarch to discuss the release of captured relatives. Ní Mháille refused to bow before Elizabeth because she did not recognize her as the Queen of Ireland and threw a borrowed lace handkerchief into the fireplace after sneezing into it. The two women chatted in Latin (Ní Mháille spoke no English and Elizabeth spoke no Irish), and it is said that the Queen was fascinated by Grace's tales of adventure. The queen granted Grace's requests, and Grace soon returned to her pirate ways.



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Today's Random Pic... (By Dee)

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More from my parent's visit...

Dad filming...










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More from Achill Island...

Our time on Achill island with my parents was great. We had a month's worth of adventure in a single day. It really seemed like every turn of the road brought us a new and beautiful sight, a mountain to be climbed, or some historic sight that we needed to explore.


Here is just one of the little hidden beaches we went to.

















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Today's Random Pic...

My mother's hand







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Dad - the photographer

Sorry that things have not been updated much this week. We have just been having too much fun... and have had very little internet access. We took my parents to a beautiful spot for a few days of beach walking and hill climbing. Achill Island is Ireland's largest island. It is a dramatic mix of mountains and large white sand beaches. Mom enjoyed the beaches, and dad enjoyed the mountains. It was especially fun... because my dad has a new camera and a new video camera! Here are a few of the pictures he took over last couple of days...


















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Long walks

The last couple of days have been really great. Dee and I have really enjoyed having a few days around the house to talk and catch up with my parents. We have not done a whole lot... but we have spent some time with our friends, and have gone on some nice long walks. Here are a couple of pictures:



In the enchanted wood near our house:






Dad on one of our walks






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Failte!

YEA!!! My parents made it here without any problems! We picked them up at the Dublin airport yesterday and did a few historic things to help them get over the jet lag. It turned out to be a cracker of a day without a cloud in the sky! Here is a quick picture that Dee took of us in the airport. ( I held a sign so that they could recognize me. )







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On their way...

In a few hours my parents are going to be loading up and making their way over here! I am really getting excited now! So much so that I couldn't sleep last night!

Mom & Dad,
If you read this before you leave... have a safe trip... and we will see you in Dublin!




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An Indian Summer?

Indian summer: an informal expression given to a period of sunny, warm weather in autumn in the northern hemisphere, typically in late October or early November, after the leaves have turned but before the first snowfall.

Everyone has been talking about the impending 'Indian Summer' for several weeks now... I have to admit... I didn't believe it. Don't get me wrong... I wanted to... But the fact that we already had our heat on in our house and a fire in the fireplace every night didn't give me much reason to think that summer was going to have a comeback. I was wrong. It looks like we are having an 'Indian Summer'! For the last two days we have had amazing summer-like weather... in fact, I would say that the weather has been better than most summer days in Ireland! buíochas le Dia!! AND ... It is here just in time for my parents' visit! WAHOO!!!

Mom and Dad get here early on Sunday morning... I hope that the weather holds!



I took this pic yesterday... Nothing says "Indian Summer" like a game of hurling on the beach!









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Today's Random Pic... from the archives

I came across this picture the other day while I was looking in my archives... I don't think that I have ever posted it. I actually took this photo two years ago down in county Kerry... I was actually walking this road around the time the sun was setting on this particular evening. It was magical!

I have to say that this is one of my favorite drives in all of Ireland.







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Street piper

I had to run into the city for a few things Saturday, and I was so grateful that I decided to bring my camera. I was walking down a small side street when I first heard the faint sounds of pipes... Oh, how I love that sound. There is just something magical and timeless about the sounds of traditional instruments in the open air.... I followed the sounds until I came across the piper. The uilleann pipes are the Irish bagpipes. Unlike their Scottish cousins are not meant to be played out on mountain tops, but rather to be with a fiddle beside a fireplace. They are softer and more delicate, and their tones are pleasing to the ear... and they instantly cause your foot to pat in time with it... The piper didn't mind a few pictures (after I put some money in his hat), and I stood and enjoyed the music for a few moments.













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The Pub...

Just a few quick pictures taken outside a pub...













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