Nigel's Photo Blog

  Tonight, I am reporting on the 1726 ft (526m) high, Ben Bulben, part of the Dartry Mountains in County Sligo, Ireland.(Here are links to the town of Sligo and a tour of Western Ireland incorporating Ben Bulben.) The mountain's distinctive shape was formed during the last ice age which ended about 12,000 years ago. In common with the Dartry mountains, Ben Bulben is comprised of limestones on top of mudstones which date back up to 345 million years ago.Fossils can be found in the various layers. Access can be obtained from dedicated walking and climbing routes. A variety of plants can be found on the mountain including arctic-alpine species. The fringed sandwort has been present since the last ice age.Other notable flora include Alpine saxifrage, Arabidopsis, arctic meadow-rue, bluebells, Meconopsis, Poa alpina, Polystichum lonchitis and snowbed willow. Fauna include badger, hare and fox. There is also an avian population of red-billed chough.

T his evening, I am focusing on the fine city of Dublin, capital of the Republic of Ireland .Salient sites are covered below. O’Connell Street with its fine architecture, memorials to famous citizens and the Monument of Light. Perhaps the most important building is the General Post Office built 1818 but became a symbol of the 1916 Irish Uprising against British rule. General Post Office Trinity College which dates from 1592 and is perhaps best known for the Book of Kells which is the most richly decorated of Ireland’s medieval manuscripts. This famous work is believed to have been the product of Iona based monks who fled to Kells, Ireland to escape Viking raids. The Book of Kells is contains four gospels written in Latin with Celtic script text. At time of a our visit the College was buzzing with students and visitors. Molly Malone’s statue. Molly Malone Nassau Street. The National Gallery in Merrion Square. Leinster House, which houses the Dail and Seanad, the two chamb...

  Jaunty Car Ride at Muckross House, Ireland This evening, I am reprising a tour of Muckross House and gardens in the Republic of Ireland. This is an heritage property situated close to the popular town of Killarney in S.W. Ireland, about 300km/3.5 hours from Dublin. Weather was favourable and guests availed of a 1 hour tour of the site in a Jaunty Car ( horse and buggy). This property was designed by Scottish architect, William Burn for Henry Arthur Herbert and his wife, Mary Balfour Herbert. Construction was completed in 1843. Queen Victoria visited in 1861. Muckross House in context of landscape Muckross House,m Killarney, Ireland today. As will be evident from the images herein, the location benefits from a mild, wet climate which facilitates the lush and well maintained gardens for which Muckross is renowned. Other attractions at Muckross include: Farms. Arboretum. Lake Leane. Restaurant Craft Shop Tours of the interior which remains set in the Victorian period. ...

  Dan Murphy’s Bar, Sneem , Ring of Kerry This evening, I am focusing on one of Ireland’s top scenic drives, the Ring of Kerry which covers a route encircling the Iveragh Peninsula in S.W. Ireland. The start point of Killarney is some 300 km/200 miles S.W. of Dublin. I have always covered the route in a clockwise direction as follows: Killarney with Lakes of Killarney and views of MacGillicuddy’s Reeks (mountains). Muckross Hous e and gardens. Here visitors can avail of a horse-drawn, Jaunty Car ride . Ladies View : Viewpoint offering stunning views of Killarney Lakes, with name attributed to Queen Victoria’s ladies-in-waiting during visit in 1861. Torc Waterfall, close to Muckross House.   Torc Waterfall Moll’s Gap: Stunning views over bogland and mountains. Sneem: Very colourful and popular village through which runs the River Sneem. Good spot for a refreshment stop. Staigue Fort: An Iron-Age, dry-stone fort (about 2000 years old) set on a hill. Derrynane House, th...

 Tonight, I am reporting on the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland .   This feature lies at the foot of basalt cliffs along the sea cost on the edge of the Antrim plateau. It is comprised of about 40,000 massive black basalt columns which protrude into the sea. The landscape was caused by volcanic activity during the Tertiary period of around 50-60 million years ago.More detailed information can be found here . This is a World Heritage site owned by the National Trust, a heritage organisation. Check website for access details. Location is about 60 miles north of Belfast, near Bushmills.   Here is a video clip.

Tonight, I am reporting on the Bogside district which lies outside the city walls of Derry in Northern Ireland. The large gable-wall murals by the Bogside Artists, Free Derry Corner and the Gasyard Feile (an annual music and arts festival held in a former gasyard) are popular tourist attractions. The Bogside is a majority Catholic/Irish Republican area which shares a border with the Protestant/Ulster loyalist enclave of the Fountain. Thew area became a catalyst for a long period of discontent known as the Troubles.For a period between 1969 and 1972 the Bogside became a no-go area for the British Army and local police.This culminated in Bloody Sunday on January 30th 1972 when 26 unarmed civilians engaged on a protest march were shot dead by British soldiers.. A peace agreement was signed in Belfast on April 10th 1998 which resulted in a largely peaceful conclusion to the long-running tensions in Northern Ireland.  Peace Bridge, Londonderry Wall Mural Wall Mural Bloody Sunday Memoria...

  Ennis Street Scene Tonight, I am reporting on the town of Ennis (pop 25,000 ) which is located in County Clare in the west of Ireland, between Galway and  Limerick . Here are things for the visitor to consider: Franciscan Friary dating from 1242, Clare Museum with its emphasis on local history. Interesting residential and commercial architecture. Courthouse and cathedral. Shopping: Many boutiques plus eateries, bars and restaurants. Live traditional music in local pubs. Glor Theatre for entertainment including concerts. Refer this link for information on Daniel O'Connell, a 19th century campaigner for catholic emancipation who was MP for Clare. Visitors can chose from a wide range of accommodation providers.  

  Proleek Portal Tomb This evening I am reporting on two prehistoric sites which are located in close proximity close to a golf course at Ballymascanlon House Hotel near Carlingford on Ireland’s east coast. This site is 110km north of Dublin. The magnificent Proleek Portal Tomb (immediately above and below) dates from the Neolithic period, about 3500 BC. This period was the New Stone Age when settlers from Scotland introduced a settled lifestyle based on agriculture. Proleek is characteristic of portal tombs elsewhere with two tall stones at the front (portal stones) and a smaller stone at the back supporting a large capstone. This structure is sometimes called a dolmen meaning stone table. The example shown is some three metres high. Proleek Portal Tomb Close to Proleek is a Bronze Age (2000 BC) Wedge Tomb, shown below.This proves the site had special relevance in prehistoric times, perhaps over a period of 2000 years. Wedge Tomb Wedge Tomb For more information on tou...

  St Mary’s Church Tonight, I am reporting on the thriving country town of Carrick-on-Shannon which is situated 164km N.W. of Dublin in the N.W. of the Republic of Ireland. Population is about 4000 persons. The town is steeped in history. Important buildings include: The Costello Chapel, possibly the smallest chapel in Europe. 19th century former Courthouse. This building has been transformed into a centre for the arts known as The Dock.This houses a 100+ seat performance space, three art galleries, artists studios, an arts education room and the Leitrim Design House. Carrick-on-Shannon's marina is an attractive focal point. A popular regatta is held every July.   Additionally, on every June bank holiday is held the Carrick Carnival, a 10 day festival combining street entertainment, live music, kids fun days, traditional amusements and evening events. The town also offers a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, hotels and night time entertainment including lively traditional mus...

  Jerpoint Abbey, Kilkenny This evening, I am focusing on Jerpoint Abbey , an outstanding 12th century Cistercian Abbey located close to the town of Kilkenny in the south of the Republic of Ireland. Here is a video clip of the Abbey   The Abbey follows the conventional Cistercian layout featuring a cruciform church nave, chancel and transepts. A crossing tower was added in the 15th century. The cloister lies to the south of the church adjacent to which there were domestic buildings on three sides. A principal feature of the Abbey is the high quality tomb scuplture and carvings: 13th-16th century tomb sculpture can be found in the transept chapels one of which is a panel of saints called “weepers”. Unique carvings in the sculptured cloister arcade ranging from human figures (bishop, knight, etc.) to grotesque and unexpected diminutive figures in corners or on bases. There is a visitor centre which houses an interesting exhibition. This site is deserving of a visit wh...

Tonight, I am reporting on visitor sites close to the town of Kildare, some 50 km west of Dublin . Kildare has a population of about 8600.   Here is the nearby Irish National Stud allied with which are Japanese Gardens, Saint Fiachra’s Garden and the Horse Museum. The Irish National Stud Company was formed in 1945 to promote the interests of the Irish bloodstock industry which continues today. It is possible to join a guided tour of the equine site which included the Sun Chariot Yard, Foaling Unit, Stallion Boxes, Mating Area and a few thoroughbred stallions. The Japanese Garden dates back over 100 years and represents the Life of Man including birth, learning, engagement, marriage, old age, etc. Resident stallion being brought into stables for the night. Stallion: Dragon Pulse Japanese Garden To end the day it is possible to drive on down to Waterford in the S.E.of Ireland. This puts the visitor in a good position to visit Waterford Crystal and other sites the fo...

    Street scene Limerick is a major city in the west of the Republic of Ireland with a population of 94,000.Location is 200km SW of Dublin near Shannon. The city is known for its compact old town, the medieval-era St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. John’s square, which is lined with Georgian townhouses. Standing along the River Shannon, the 13th-century King John’s Castle is one of the city’s most recognisable sites. The recorded history of Limerick dates to the 9th century but in terms of human occupation the site is likely to go back much further. Here can be found art, music and theatre venues which are augmented by a Writers Centre. The city can be accessed by air (nearby Shannon), rail and bus.  Street scene Limerick is perhaps best known for the limerick which is a type of humorous verse of five lines with an AABBA rhyme scheme. However, the poem's connection with the city is obscure.Here is an example of a Limerick: "A wonderful bird is the pelican, His bill will hold ...