Life

INTERESTING SURROUNDINGS

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On a bit of a ramble in our immediate area I enjoyed some spectacular sights and afterwards I researched some interesting little bits of history and knowledge of the area here.

I thought that I would take a drive as far as Traguma (Tráigh Omna), this beach is backed by marsh land and a small lake called Lough Abisdeally, this small lake (in the photo), is a real beauty it is very sought after by birdwatchers. This was a rather pleasurable attempt to get to know more about my immediate surroundings.  Tragumna is supposed to get its name from the stumps of oak trees dug up out of this strand. (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0298, Page 061). Sounds rather interesting!

On the way there I took a wrong turn and kept driving along narrow lanes and got totally lost. Long ago there was a time when I wondered about all these myriads of little roads crossing the country side until I learnt about the famine roads. The Irish peasantry were made to build roads in order to get food under the strictures of the poor law during the famine. These included random and unneeded roads. That is what I am told. Anyway my journey became a little longer than expected. It was raining lightly and I took some photos out of the car window.

These are some views of the landscape that I passed, it was wonderful of course.

  • Toe Head Signal Tower in the distance
The tower in the distance is the ruin of Toe Head signal tower (Ceann Tuaitheat). These signal towers (dating back to 1805) were situated around the coast of Ireland and their duty was to spot an incoming fleet of invaders (they were afraid of French invaders at that time) and through signals warn the government in Dublin.
  • Photo from Google Earth
I worked this out (the identity of the tower in the distance) by using Google Earth interactive maps, I was able to fly over the hill and saw that there was no other possibly than that the tower (in my photo) was the signal tower at Toe Head. It was important to me to know the identity of this tower. Thank you Google earth.
Then the open ocean, here to see some caves and rocky shores. And rain streaming down!
  • This is my favourite view!
The road still leading to I know not where at this stage so I just kept driving, the views were very scenic.
  • At this stage I found it exciting and a little lonely too.
Finally to arrive at Tragumna beach after all, in a bit of round about way. Spectacular skies! About 100 metres from the beach lies the little island called Drishane Island. People swim here normally, now totally deserted of course though I did see one or two cars.
  • Local wildlife information
  • An early spring seaside plant
  • A variety of seaweed looking very healthy

And that was it, what was going to be a within 5km (just about) drive to help with my cabin fever turned into a tour of the little roads around the countryside. I felt so good after it, ready for another week back into the cabin (which of course I do love very much too). Mental health is so important and it is our responsibility to take care of it 🙂

WINDSTILL

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There is a strange quietness about tonight

It is the quietness of the absence of wind

And in this land so close to the wild Atlantic Ocean ~ that is rather unusual

We know of the stillness before a storm

Or the quietness we experience on some rare days when not a blade of grass is stirring

Or the stillness after a thunderstorm when only the blackbird sings

and nothing moves

But tonight it is a quietness all of its own

it woke me up

EXCITING TIMES

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Saturday the 31st of August saw Ian and myself tying the knot, we were surrounded by our children and grandchildren, sisters and brothers, and a few close friends. It was a very beautiful ceremony led by Helen Grubert who is an interfaith celebrant here in West Cork. It is a day to remember fondly for a long time to come.
  • My brother Patrick and his wife Sarah who provided us with beautiful renaissance music during the ceremony.
  • My daughter and I

Slowly life returns to normal routine. I do have lots of material, other than our wedding to write about and lots of photos too, and soon I will be back into my blogging mood. Until then I wish everyone of my dear friends and fellow bloggers a great start to a good autumn (or spring as the season might be).

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND FOOD FAIRS

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This past week has been very busy for the people and businesses of Skibbereen. The yearly food fare has been in full swing. The Taste of West Cork festival, which is a week during which Artisan foods produced in West Cork are highlighted. Today’s event was a street market, closing off the main street of the town, lots of food stalls, among which locals and tourists were alike were enjoying the ambience, the more so as the sun was shining over us all. Some of the stalls would be quite familiar to those attending the local market on Saturday mornings at the Fair Green, but there were other stalls too and one could get quite a good oversight of what is available food wise locally, and what West Cork in particular is known for. It was lovely to see so many children and adults enjoying themselves. We were listening to the music and enjoying the dancing provided by the local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, an organisation which promotes Irish music and culture. We enjoyed some excellent songs and among others, a brush dance by a young lad which I found very entertaining.

This morning over our usual breakfast conversations, my partner and I were, once again, discussing rural development, it is a subject close to my heart. We do live rural, on the outskirts of a town with a population of about 2000. In recent years many people, especially young people have had to emigrate due to lack of work. Many businesses have closed, but the town is still surviving and with the recent addition of a larger Art Centre, there is a lot going on in this town. Cultural events, different courses being run, societies and organisations, theatre groups, concerts, festivals, local colleges, library activities, a splendid voluntary Tidy Towns group, sport clubs, a fantastic river, a community garden, and much more.  Despite all this  I can still see room for improvements in and around the town. I can see pedestrian areas, better parking so as to clear the cluttered streets and make the town more people friendly. I could go on. It is up to us all to do something about our towns and areas, and develop our communities.
Small towns in rural Ireland are very healthy places to live in and around, rather than see them go down. Many of us are now not even bothering to go to the larger cities to do our Christmas or other shopping as we like to support our local shops.
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Looking towards the new Art Centre, and area that would be very suited to pedestrian walk way.  A little tributary of the Illen river, it’s called the Caol Stream.

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Irish dancing by the members of the local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann.  And a Garlic food stall.

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More music by members of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann.  And something for the children to enjoy too.

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Artisan cheeses produced in several places in West Cork, and very tasty too.