18 Saturday May 2013
Posted in food
The last couple of days have been all about cakes 
Lucy made the one above for her friend’s birthday. It’s a really clever idea for a cake….I hope she makes me one when it’s my birthday!
Today was a really awful day and as Lucy has taken her cake to her friends I decided to make a jam and cream sponge….I haven’t tried it yet though so I hope it tastes OK.
18 Saturday May 2013
Tags
dog, dogs, forest, hazelwood, ireland, jack russell, rocket dog, sligo
Back to Hazelwood this morning. I was hoping to get some more bluebell pics but things didn’t go as planned and we had a little companion on our walk.
At first this was fine and Rocket-dog was quite happy with this other little fella tagging along.
Then he tried to get a bit ‘friendly’!! Rocket-dog wasn’t at all impressed. Taking photos when all this is going on doesn’t go well together at all so the bluebells will have to wait for another day.
16 Thursday May 2013
Isn’t it amazing what you see in Sligo? Today I was walking along by the river and saw this wonderful garment!! I’m bemused as to who would wear these but whatever floats your boat. I posted this on Facebook and got a lot of comments including one friend telling me I could make a top out of them!
http://bitsandpieces1.blogspot.ie/2006/10/halter-made-from-pair-of-mens-briefs.html
15 Wednesday May 2013
Tags
architecture, collooney, ireland, Irish, markree, markree castle, photography, photos, sligo
I had a visit to Markree Castle for their tour today. They run these tours on a regular basis and it was very interesting to find out more about the history of the castle and it’s owners.
The weather, as usual was lousy, although I did get the photos above in the few minutes that it stopped raining!
As you go in the door you are greeted by this magnificent staircase.
The ceiling is also something special. In fact the whole building is. Francis Johnston was the architect who designed Markree Castle. He also designed the General Post Office in O’Connell Street in Dublin and Charleville Castle, Offaly amongst others.
There is this wonderful window in the Castle, it has the names of all the Coopers included in it.
A lot of the research I was doing today was for the Hidden Histories project I am volunteering in. I can tell you though that the hymn ‘All things bright and beautiful’ was written by Cecil Alexander when she stayed at Markree.
I can also tell you that Johnny Cash stayed in the castle and had a Halloween party there.
There’s also a least one ghost, who you might bump into in the lady’s toilet (which used to be the butler’s pantry). She’s thought to be a servant and several people have seen her.
If you want to know anymore you’ll have to buy the Hidden Histories book when it comes out 
13 Monday May 2013
Posted in sligo
Tags
art, cat and the moon, creative textiles, exhibition, launch, sligo, St. Angela's college, students
The students of the Diploma in Creative Textiles in St Angela’s College are having an exhibition of their Textile Art in the Cat and the Moon in 4 Castle Street, Sligo. This exploration in Textiles and Fine Art runs from the 17th May to the 27th May. The exhibition will be offically opened by Mary McAuliffe (Programme Director for the Creative State’s 4 CNW Programme). You can find out more on their Facebook page.
12 Sunday May 2013
Posted in Uncategorized
A few weeks ago I went to the famine graveyard in Sligo. I couldn't get in as the gate was locked. I phoned Sligo County Council to see if they knew anything about why the gate was locked and was put through to the parks department. They had no idea why it was locked and no idea who I should contact.
12 Sunday May 2013
Tags
boyle, Boyle farmers market, CelticMoon Craft, dog, forest, ireland, Irish, lough key, Lough Key Forest Park, photography, photos, rocket dog, Roscommon
Firstly Happy Mother’s Day to anyone celebrating it today. We had ours in March although I may bake a cake later….just because The photo above is fitting for the day that’s in it. I was up bright and early to take Jono to the railway station yesterday as he was going to Dublin so Rocket-dog and myself headed to Boyle for an explore.
On the way we stopped off at the Lough Arrow viewing area. The photos aren’t great because the weather was lousy but it’s a chance to go back another day.
Lough Key Forest Park was lovely to walk around (even with the showers). We saw a rabbit but it moved to quick to get a photo.
After the forest park we headed to the Farmer’s Market in Boyle.
I felt very sorry for the stall holders as it was such a cold, miserable day. I was delighted to meet June though who is a regular visitor to my blog and makes these wonderful plaques.
My photos don’t do them justice. June has much better pics on her site. She also does commissions so if you are looking for a special gift for someone this would be just the job.
Rocket-dog was very impressed with the market, especially as two people recognised him! He also liked the look of King House. The rest of the photos from our morning in Boyle are here.
12 Sunday May 2013
I had the pleasure of photography these gorgeous kittens during the week. They are up for adoption from Sligo Animal Rescue and will be ready in three weeks. If you can give them a home please contact the rescue.
Update: All kittens are now booked
11 Saturday May 2013
Posted in Uncategorized
Tags
boyle, Boyle Model Railway, exhibition, ireland, Irish, model railway, railway, Roscommon, trains
The town of Boyle is launching a model railway. I think this is a brilliant idea, we are big fans of trains in this house. They need help though, especially in the areas of making the scenery, assembling buildings, bridges, general art & craft work.
This is a great opportunity to get involved with a fantastic new venture in Boyle. If you can get on board with this project and help them make tracks you can get in touch with them on Facebook or twitter.
The Launch of Boyle Model Railway will take place on Saturday May 25th at 2.30pm at TrojanIT on Elphin Street. With Joe Duffy (RTE) as part of the Local Heroes programme to be aired on June 12th. All welcome!
10 Friday May 2013
Tags
ireland, photography, photos, sligo, Union woods, walk, walking
Last week Rocket-dog and I went for a walk around Union Wood.
It was a nice walk but the bluebells were only just thinking about blooming so we’ll probably go back again another day.
We went off the beaten track and into the woods where we followed bike tracks. We got a bit of a fright when we saw this below!
