Old Franciscan Friary, Ennis, Co. Clare

The Friary is thought to have been built in the late 1470s but documentary evidence is a bit scarce. It was financially supported by the local McMahon family until the early 20th Century although the last monks died out in the 1600s. In Victorian times the Nave was reused as a parish Church for the Church of Ireland congregation whilst they were building their own place of worship.

It seems a bit of a mishmash for such a place, so I'm not sure I have all that correct!!

Harebells

The harebells this year are prolofic, giving a blue sheen to the laneways. They prefer light sandy or poor soil so tend to grow on banks and amongst the moss and daisies on stone walls.

I clearly recall the firset time I noticed them; it was as a child, struggling crossly up the lane from the beach with arms full of beach gear and sisters! We never wanted to go home at the end of the day and our poor mother had to almost horse-whip us from strand to car! Along the sandy banks of the lane, in amongst the marram grass and smelling of hot salty greenery were these small papery blue flowers swinging on the most delicate stems.

To this day the first sight of harebells takes me back to childhood.

Harebells are difficult to photograph as they seem to prefer hiding behind grasses and stones, but the warm green summery scent of them is still lovely. I had a grand time climbing around the laneway trying to get some good photos!

Long time no...

...camera...

It gave up the ghost, probably overworked and underpaid, y'all know how THAT is!

I'm using the camera phone on the day to day blog but there's not much point pretending its up to scenery shots- mean to say, I don't want to put yez all OFF visiting due to blah photos?

So, when I have a REAL camera again (nudge nudge??) I'll post decent photies!

Until then- abysinnia!

Irish Diamonds

The thing about sayings or myths is that I'm never entirely sure which are local, and I mean like 'Townland' local, and which are general to many regions. Our Townlands vary in size, with many rural ones comprising just a few homes, but a large area. I'm not sure how far ours stretches, for instance, but there's only eight houses in it (we counted!).

Anyhow it is said that dew drops or rain drops caught in a leaf are the diamonds of the Little People. We mayn't be rich in monetary terms, but we're sheer rollin' in diamonds!!

Flora and a Fauna!

Creeping Thistle, I think, although it's not a bit thistley except for the appearance of the flower.

Ladies Bedstraw with raindrops. There are a lot of superstitions associated with this plant.

Coltsfoot seedhead, much fluffier than dandelions. My girls used to call them 'Wind Fairies' when the breeze caught them.

Meadowsweet, which I think is so pretty. Great clouds of it grow along our laneway.

...and a snail- boy! I had trouble running to photograph him before he zoomed off!!!

Anyone wishing to view this biodiversity is welcome to visit my garden anytime they like!!

I call it biodiversity...the Hub calls them weeds. It all depends on your view point!

Flower Festival

On our August Bank Holiday Weekend, the Methodist Church in Sligo Town had their Flower Festival. The theme is a hymn, and this year it was 'All Things Bright and Beautiful' written by CF Alexander, wife of the then Bishop of Derry. She wrote it whilst staying at Markree Castle in Sligo, about the scenery here, so we all sing this hymn with particular fervour! The arrangements began outside the Church, and each arrangement embodied line of the hymn- over 30 arrangements in total, and so very beautiful.

Back o' the Bogs, Co Leitrim

A fortnight ago, in the space of about half an hour I watched as the evening sunshine was blurred by mist drifting up the valley from the lake below us, then cleared away to leave a clear view. Kind of eerie, the sort of evening when you really believe in The Wee Folk, and are tempted to cross the doors with iron, just to be on the safe side...

But beautiful too...

The Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin

The old Turnstile at the Entrance to the Gardens, don't you love the wording on Victorian objects?

A Palm House!! My FAVOURITE places in all the world!!!

So much glass, lovely lines, the promise of steamy jungley plants...

The Rose Garden- spent ages reading all the labels and inspecting every type of rose here!

Did I make a note of the names of the roses I photographed? Did I heck! But it's very pretty...

Love Pelargoniums too, I'd have dozens given the chance, especially the tropical scented ones.

Arbutus trunk- don't know how old this specimin is, but it is quite amazing.

Yup! Steamy Jungle!

So Kew Gardens has a rival for my affections now...

More Dublin...

The corner f College Green opposite Trinity Front Gate.

Dublin busses!!

Trinity Library at dusk: as you can see I haven't got night time photography sorted!

Bank of Ireland, College Green, Dublin

This Bank of Ireland, on College Green, opposite Front Gate of  Trinity College, is a beautiful building. From 1739 until 1801 it served as Ireland's Parliament.