I'm starting to look for signs of Spring. Bluer blues, brighter whites, dazzling yellows. Soon the Spring stars of the show will have the limelight all to themselves in the dormant landscape. It's the 100th Anniversary of our Easter Rising, the Rebellion of 1916 that led to the setting up of the Irish Republic. Because many of the . . .
Flying free
We organised the first International Women's Day Celebration, in 1986. My baby, just a few weeks old, came with me that night. His Dad looked after him in a room downstairs while I facilitated the meeting of about 150 women. If needed he could be brought up to me for a feed.......such are women's lives, the personal is always . . .
A mile from home
Nature is not a place to visit. It is home. Gary Snyder There comes a point in every journey when you turn for home. For me it's the last twisty turn of a boreen, onto our meandering lane. This first bend of the lane is also the top of a hill and just before I set off on the last mile, I can take in the sweep of the lake, the valley and the . . .
Underneath the surface
Some towns were barely touched by the "boomiest" boom Ireland never had. Today a small dog, waiting for his master to return from the match, is alone amongst empty shops, messy paint jobs and abandoned petrol pumps. Some buildings change hands every few months; go from being a sweet shop to being a cafe, and back again. But other shop . . .
Up all night at the Martello Tower : 20.8.15
“The sea, the snotgreen sea, the scrotumtightening sea.” ― James Joyce, Ulysses We spent one night only, camping near the Martello Tower in Sandycove, Dublin. It features in the opening chapter of James Joyce's Ulysses, so they say. All night long they came and went, up and down the walkway from Sandycove to the 40 Foot (famous . . .
Open heart, cold sea
I checked the sea temperature today. Not much more than 13/14 degrees centigrade anywhere in Ireland. This year the cold sea water was harder to bear. By the time we arrive in Kerry our friends are already a couple of weeks into the rhythm of twice daily swims. They glow from endorphins, icy water and warm wine. . . .
Pride
Maybe some day, some one will be able to articulate what it meant to be part of a YES Equality canvass team in the Marriage Equality referendum? Some have said it was the best experience of their lives, that it lifted them out of hopelessness about political change, that it gave them back a sense of pride in their true . . .
YES!
I could go on and on, but I really have only one word and it's YES! See more couples in the Pairs Gallery . . .
A black cat, another road trip and a resounding YES!
Farmyard black cat in the ditch is a sign of luck Around here these border collies are all known as Shep The Cat Shepherd's apprentice says hello Time to fly away for the Chaffinch too One of these days we will be leaving this sleepy patch for a bit of a . . .
Things that go bump in the night.
Lovely old window in the Farncroft Mill The restoration of the mill wheel and the buildings took 10 years In Memory Antiques in Birr The 6 acre garden designed and built from a green field by Angela Jupe at Farncroft Mill Angela . . .
