On this first Sunday morning of the New Year I decided to visit the small seaside village of Union Hall in West Cork. It lies just 15 minutes drive from where we live and though it had frozen during the night, the sun was pouring over the land warming and beautifying everything.  I drove past Rineen Forest which is located on an inlet of the North Atlantic Ocean, on the eastern side of the townland of Castlehaven.  I’ve often walked in this forest together with my grandchildren and family.  It is a great stretch of interesting trees and contains the remains of a lime kiln.  The birds too are forever singing and there is a wealth of wild plants, a lovely place. But I was on my way down to Union Hall a further five minutes’ drive along a steep and winding road. 

Union Hall, is a small fishing village, it is very scenic and peaceful there. I love walking along the seashore, especially to see the activity of the seabirds and the many lichen on the stone walls.  The road leads out of the village and onto the pier where there is a colourful variety of fishing nets, lobster pods and fishing boats.  I chose the place for a silent walk as I wanted to start the year with a clear head.  Locals did greet me and I did exchange a few words with other walkers and their dogs.  An occasional cry from the seagulls and other seabirds resounded over the water.  My breathing deepened from the sheer tranquillity and the refreshing sea air.  A calm descended over me like only a connection with nature can do.

Over Christmas I obtained a little book on lichens, mainly about lichens of the National Forest in Glengarriff, but visiting that forest is for another time.  Reading through it did heighten my already interest in the lichen of the area here and I naturally took some photos of those I found while on my walk.  Lichens are fascinating, they are neither plants nor animals, they are living things that live in symbiosis with fungi. They are often very beautiful and intriguing.  I’ll learn more about them this coming year I think. 

In the photo above are the mussel shells, the remains from meals of seabirds, mainly seagulls who drop those on the sea walls to break open feast on the contents.

Interesting looking old stone building, some sort of store no doubt. Much more to discover about this little place!