The Darkest Day...

Monday was a day that I have been looking forward to for some time now... the darkest day of the year.

December 21st is the Winter Solstice. It marks the moment when the Northern Hemisphere is furthest from the Sun. This mid-winter point has been celebrated as long as mankind has been on this earth. I can understand why...... Don't get me wrong - I'm not out dancing around a stone circle on the Solstice, but just knowing that every day is getting longer... and that we are moving back towards spring is reason enough to smile. Ireland is really far north, and wintertime darkness here can often be depressing. Knowing that we have beaten the worst of it is always reason to celebrate.

I got out the other day to watch the sunrise... here are a few of the pics from that cold and crisp morning.
















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Feeling Festive

I love this time of year. The long summer days seem to linger for ever, and all of Ireland seems to be celebrating the nice weather. There are several cool little festivals going on over the next month. Currently there is an arts festival taking place in the city. There are concerts, art exhibitions, comedy shows, and street performances. Tourists are everywhere, and buskers (aka - non official street performers) are having impromptu concerts, magic shows, face painting, etc on every spare portion of the main shopping streets. The whole city seems to be alive lave into the night and the craic (aka fun) really is mighty! Dee and I have gone to a few things (spoiler alert) and I'll be posting a few things over the next few days.



These are a couple of pictures of the main tent that Dee and I took last night around midnight.












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Making hay while the...

Living in Ireland - I quite often see flashes of a former world. It might be something as simple as an old man walking down the street with his cows... or a traditional fishing boat on the ocean... or even the look on someones face.... but the instant you see it you know that this truly is living history.... something that has not changed for generations. These brief windows always happen in a split second and when you are not expecting it...... They can never be planned and are never put on display for the tourists. Seeing them is just part of living here... something that you stumble upon... and when you do see them you instantly know that you have witnessed a treasure.

It happened again this week. I was out for a drive (not too far from where we live), and I noticed some hay stacks in a field. I parked at a pub down the road and hiked back to find them. After standing there taking a few pictures I decided to hike up some of the boreen (little side roads) to see some other hay stacks that were off in the distance (see the picture I got below).



Seeing hay stacks like this is becoming more and more rare these days. These are the real thing. The were not made by a machine, but rather have been dried and stacked by backbreaking labor... just as they have always been made. The farmers put a small plastic bag on top of them and then weigh it down attaching rocks with string on each corner of the bag. The result is a beautiful pile that is stable and won't blow away.


After walking down the boreen and back I decided that the lighting and sky were too nice to pass up. I had to keep walking and taking pictures. Boy... am I glad that I did! I walked up a large hill in hopes of getting some panoramic shots. Once I came to the crest of the hill I discovered that I was overlooking a field where a family was making hay. Seeing the several generations (at least three) working together just as they have for generations was a beautiful sight. It does not take a hopeless romantic like me to know that I was seeing something that may someday fade way. I really do love Ireland... and I love that even though it is a changing and modern country it has not lost its history... that it is alive in the fields...













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Hookers everywhere...

yep... Hookers, a traditional fishing boat, have really been out a lot over the past few weeks. I love these small three sailed boats. Their black hulls and red or black sails create dark silhouettes out on the ocean that are beautiful and ominous at the same time. Scenes like the one below have not changed in hundreds of years.






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My spot

I think that I might have a new one... a new favorite spot in Ireland that is. It is not my only favorite spot in Ireland (after all how could I pick just one) - but it is definitely added to the list of my list of favorite spots in Ireland.

Already on the list:
- St. Stephen's Green in Dublin
- a special little lake in the mountains of Connemara
- a certain spot on the Dingle peninsula in Co. Kerry

My new spot is a little cove where the cliffs plunge directly into the sea and the waves always seem to be exploding upon the rocks in a spectacular display of mist and rain. I have been to this little cove on a number of occasions (even just a couple of weeks ago with some friends), but this week was the first time that I have actually climbed over the wall... walked past the warning signs (not to swim)... and walked down to the shore. I don't know how long we stayed there watching the fireworks like display... but I know that I could have stayed all day.

I think that my love for the sea comes from my childhood... When I was young going to the sea was what we did for a holiday vacation... the very sound of waves crashing takes me back to my childhood and those white sand beaches in Florida.
















My cute Dee




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Fields of fluff-balls

We have been having some amazing (summer-like) weather over the last two weeks. It was so nice on Saturday that I just HAD to get out and take some pictures... I know that is not a surprise to anyone. I called up a friend and the two of us headed out to the mountains for a few hours of driving, hiking, hanging out, and taking pictures. The lighting was perfect for most of the day... but it was at the very end of the day - after the sun had gone down - that we saw the most interesting sight. In fact, I would say that it was one of the coolest things I have seen in Ireland yet.

There was a smallish sized field that was just full of lambs. I have never seen SO many together in one small field before. I don't know just how many were in there, but there were only a few (maybe 12) adult sheep who hardly seemed to notice the overcrowded preschool they were standing in. Most of the adults stood in a daze as a crowd of adolescent youngsters raced from one side of the field to the other. It was as if one of them had organized a game and everyone was invited to play. Time after time they raced from one side to the other... finally, as if on a caffeine high the lambs spontaneously started hopping... then hopping and kicking... then hopping and twisting in mid-air. It was as if they were showing off for the camera.

I could have stayed there and watched them all night. I don't know how long we were there... but my arms were tired from holding up my camera and my trigger finger was sore from pressing the camera button. Needless to say... The evening was a dream come true for a photo freak like me!

Capturing this amazing scene was much harder than normal. The sun had already set, and there was just a strange orange glow over the hilltop. All of the lambs were playing in a massive shadow and the sky was way too bright for photos. So... all that to say - That is why the pictures are in monochrome (black and white). I did not, however alter the pictures or photoshop any of the sheep. Here are just a few of the pics that I got. Let me know which one you like best!























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a study in flowers (pt 1)

Last evening was such an amazing time. I had tons of work that needed to be done around the house, but I ended up spending most of the evening in the front garden. I really don't think that there is anything better than a beautiful summer's evening spent enjoying the front garden. The sun seems to hang in the sky in a prolonged hour-long sunset... the wind is fresh and cool... there is already the smell of peat fires on the breeze... the only sounds are of birds, children playing, and church bells in the distance... neighbors stop by for a chat... and the soil begs to be worked and cultivated. After I did some yard work I took a little time to document the flowers growing in the front garden. It is early in the season, but the lighting was perfect and I could not resist taking a few pics for my mom.

Here is the first... more are to come over the next couple of days...







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Today's Random Pic...

Have I ever told you that I love it when people paint buildings such brilliant colors here? It isn't uncommon to see building after building painted a different bright color... and I still can't help but sit back.... look at the yellows, oranges, reds, blues, and purples and smile. I don't know when they started doing this.... but it sure makes the place look so cheerful.


"Painting the wall in Ireland"





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Evolution of a sunset...

This week is looking like it is going to be a bit on the hectic side... so... I thought that I would do a short series of photos that I took from the same location within just a couple of hours of each other. I have often said that I never really noticed the sky until I moved to Ireland... now I can't help but watch it all day. I am constantly in awe at just how dramatic it is... and how quickly it changes. This was never truer than yesterday evening. Dee and I went down to the beach and watched the sunset. Amazing! Here is the first of the series:







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Today's Random Pic...

a rainstorm off the coast of Ireland last night...







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Yesterday's Rainbow...

We took some students out on a quick tour to our favorite castle yesterday afternoon. The day was beautiful and a real welcomed break to all of the rain we have been having. It only rained for about five minutes... long enough for a beautiful double rainbow to appear over part of the castle.






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The Tin Whistle

Ireland really can be a magical place. The way a modern place mixes with ancient traditions and way of life really amazes me. Here is an example: As I write this I am sitting outside with my MacBook and wireless internet. I am also instant messaging with a co-worker and at the same time I can hear the faint tune of a tin whistle on the air. Only in Ireland.... wow... I love that!

The tin whistle is probably the most abundant instrument in Ireland (I would think). Here, most kids learn it first and then graduate to a harder instrument. The simple little whistle can be played with such complexity and speed that it astounds me. The airy tune can be carried on the wind across fields and water for what seems kilometers. I often will hear the magical music on the air and have no idea where or what direction it is coming from.

Just a little off the top...

I was able to sneak out for a couple of hours this weekend and go to the annual sheep sheering competition. This is the third time that I have gone to one of these... and finally it wasn't a miserable day. Usually the rain buckets down and the wind lashes everyone who is there. This year the sun was beating down and everyone was complaining about the heat. I loved it! It always amazes me that these type of things still go on. No doubt that competitions like this have gone on here for generations.

Fathers and sons competed... lads from the next village battled against lads from Co. Kerry. The announcer spoke with the speed of an auctioneer and with the passion of the most excited sportscaster. The sheep seemed to go into a trance as their thick coats were sheered off of them at a record pace... The crowd cheered and laughed... men in white coats stood and judged the competitors... winners gave speeches... And there was even a 'queen of the wool' contest and winner.

This, beyond any doubt, is one of the many things that I love about Ireland.





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Only during the summer in Ireland... (pt.1)

do you go to the beach to play hurling...

Spring pt 2.

Ok... I am the first to admit it... I am a sucker.

I ask you... who out there would not instantly let out an 'awe' at the first sight of those cute little pink ears? or have their heart melt at the sight of their little tails wagging? yep.... it is that awesome time of year... lamb season! Go ahead and call me a city boy... or call me a sucker... but I just have to keep taking pictures of them!

Dee discovered these little twins on a walk around our town the other night. I made a beeline over there last night to take some pics. They are just too cute... and all too tasty to resist!

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Hope you enjoy...

While I am sick...

Here are a few more pics from the parade. I have to admit that although the parade is nice... it is not what I really enjoy. I love to see the massive crowds of people celebrating their irishness. I love seeing the smiling faces... the laughter... and the cheer. I did take pictures of the parade... but my favorite pictures are those of the people watching. Here are a few... hope you enjoy.

Happy St. Paddy's Day!!!!

Dee and I getting ready to head out to the parade! Every year this is day is a miserably wet and cold day. It is currently sunny and no sign of rain!!!! We will be taking pictures and posting soon! In the meantime here is a short video about St. Patrick. I don't know if you have ever seen it... but it is well worth a watch!

Things I love about Ireland...

There has been a bit of excitement in our neighborhood this week. The cow in the field across the street give birth to a little calf on Sunday. You might remember that she had twins last year and triplets the year before that... This year she had a little brown calf that the neighborhood kids have named "Brownie". I know it is a goofy thing... but I love this part of life in Ireland!



Brownie and mom




The twins keeping watch