Memorable Day at St. Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny, in 2007.

 A look back at the past.

(A left-click on the image will show an enlarged copy)

Saturday, May 22nd, 2021:

 A visit to Mountain Grove amenity area, off the Piltown to Templeorum road, showed most of the flora in bad shape after much recent rain and wind.  However, a few images resulted, but nothing great. We were a week or more late to see the place at it's best:

Following a heavy fall on slippery foliage, I was lucky to have my close friend, John R. with me, who assisted me to a sitting down position, seeking assistance from a more-than-helpful group nearby, two of whom accompanied me back to the entrance, where we had a restful time with the usual tea and sandwiches. Feeling it was time to call it a day, we headed uphill to Templeorum first, where we spent quite some time scrutinising headstone inscriptions in the local cemetery, photographing the church interior and stained glass.  Before departure, we had a lengthy conversation with an old friend from Carrick Camera Club who came by chance on the scene.

Many thanks to those young men who came to my assistance!

Fern from Templeorum. 

- oooOooo-

The Mountain Grove amenity area is the ideal place for some pleasant walking  and has a map of the area, showing paths, elevation, etc. at the main entrance. There are two more entrances further up the road. The footpaths are quite mucky just now, following so much rain. 

Two Days Ago At Stradbally, Co. Waterford.

After torrential rain on leaving home, a trip along the Copper Coast, from Knockmahon to Stradbally,  paid off, with very many photos from the former and a small few from the latter.

A seldom-seen sight was meeting chef, Sammy, a native of Hong Kong,

picking watercress on a roadside stream in Stradbally village.

I said - 'That's a lot for salads', to which he replied,

"I'll store it in the fridge!"

Some interesting conversation ensued re the relationship between Hong Kong and mainland China. 

Beautiful, extensive roadside landscaping by the proprietor of of Woodhouse Estate, now maturing and replacing old woodland trees. The dark area, left of centre, is to house a water feature before long.

The profusion of bird-song, from the minute I arrived there, was quite amazing.  Of special interest was seeing a Blackbird-type bird, with a white collar. Am accustomed to seeing Collared Doves in own garden, but this bird was something new. This development will surely be to Stradbally's benefit in future Tidy Towns Competitions.

 Meeting Tadhg, a young local resident, earlier, resulted in learning much about the area, the Woodhouse Estate, farming, drifting, rearing fowl, making bird-houses, growing vegetables, and much more; an extremely intelligent young man, with an obvious entrepeneurial spirit.                                    He has a great future. 

PRAY FOR PALESTINIANS

 

BEECH TREE FOLIAGE

 

The Bogside Hunger Strikers' Memorial

        In memory today of the late Bobby Sands M.P., who died on hunger strike on May 5th forty years ago.

 in the H Blocks prison, Northern Ireland. 

Not achieving the prisoners' demands for treatment as prisoners of war instead of criminal status, resulted in the escalation of the hunger strike, ending in 1981 in the deaths of ten prisoners between May 5th and August 20th.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh síad go léir!

THE 2011 30th ANNIVERSARY OF HUNGER STRIKE COMMEMORATION, PORTLAW.

Assembling in Malcomson Square. 

                                                                                                                                                                 The march to the cemetery at St. Patrick's Church.

                                                                                                                                                              Assembling at cemetery to lay wreath on republican grave.

                                                                                                                                                                  The return march to the square.

                                                                                                                                                                  The final tribute to the deceased hunger strikers.

Some of the early flowers

All from own garden.

The texture on the three palm tree branches seem to add to the scene!

                                                                                                                                                                   Botanical name unknown.

Shrub is currently over 20 feet tall!

In flower for many weeks, but it's an annual.

Will be watching it's seeds!

(grows as far south as Patagonia)

Last of the April Evenings