This blog is just my rantings and ramblings…I waffle on about everything and anything 
Lately it seems to be turning into a tourist blog. So if you are interested in reading about things to do in Sligo and surrounding areas you’ve come to the right place.
A bit about me:
I’m Val, happily married to Andy for 22 years, we have two lovely teenagers, Jono and Lucy. We have a lovely Jack Russell dog, who was a rescue dog. We live in Ireland, although I was born in the UK. We’ve been here for 21 years. I love the scenery, we have the best of all worlds in Sligo: beaches, mountains, forests….it’s a stunning place.
Jono has Asperger’s syndrome, sometimes I write about it, other times I don’t. He’s a lovely boy and I wouldn’t have him any other way. We had a bit of a battle to get him spinal surgery that he needed, he had the surgery and it’s made a huge difference to him.
I love taking photos, its an obsession really. It’s my biggest hobby. I’m hooked on flickr and pixie. I’m also on twitter.
I love listening to music and going to concerts. My dream job would be a concert photographer or something to do with tourism.
Thanks for reading my blog…if you like it leave a message (I’ll post the cheque to you soon), if you don’t then just keep quiet 
If you want to send me an email you’ll get me at: magnumlady.eircom.net
Hi Val, I bumped into your blog after reading posts on boards.ie. I like your photos and the way you write. Maybe we can collaborate.
i have put a link to your site on my site, please feel free to link to mine. my site is basically a photo blog, take a look
Thanks so much, your site is lovely…I will add yours as well.
Dear Val,
I have looked at almost all your pictures on Accuweather. They are so beautiful. I am taking the time to write to you and let you know I believe you should be in the top ten. I will have to write people I know to vote for you.
Keep the great work going. You have a gift.
You left a very kind comment on my blog which I have only just seen
I am so sorry for your loss and please use me as a listening ear for your memories or to rage or whatever. You now have my email. Take very good care of yourself in this difficult period. I have to say I love your Dad’s face. Hope you see it reflected in your children
Hello Val.
What a delightful and sensitive blog you write and so far, I haven’t seen any ramblings at all. Thank you for visiting my blog and posting a kind comment. Like you I’m new to this and it can get very emotional and I now firmly believe that it can be a good cathartic exercise.
Your photographs are wonderfully composed and full of lovely colour. By sheer coincidence I am reading a superb novel set mainly in Sligo and is the narrative tale of a lady in an asylum and her psychiatrist who is caring for her, it’s called The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry – recommended.
May I wish you luck with your blog and good luck for the future.
Steve
Hello Steve,
Thanks for your kind comment. I agree with the blog being cathartic.
I have heard of The Secret Scripture….I really should read it.
Take care,
Val
Hi Val, thanks for dropping by my site, thanks for the comment,
Are you in http://www.sligocameraclub.org if not you should join up.
regards
colin
Hi Colin, thanks for your message. I do belong to the camera club, it’s very good.
Hey there,
I came accross your Food Glorious food set on Flicker, yummy! Fab photos. I love your writings on your blog too. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Nicole, very kind of you
Thanks for commenting on my blog! Can’t wait to have a look around yours, but I’ve enjoyed what I’ve seen so far!
Take care,
Kim
Thanks Kim
Thank you for visiting my page! I absolutely love your photos
Hey there, I like your blog
Nice to see locals on the interwebs
Thanks
Hi Val – it was lovely to chat to you on twitter – and I just love your pictures. The colours and the titles that you give them. I just wish I was good at photography – maybe one day!!!! Have voted for you on facebook – looking good. Good luck.
Lovely ‘talking’ to you too, nice to meet someone who understands.
Thanks for the vote
Hi,
I Like your photos,but, I’m intrigued by your association with the Jersey Bar!
My grandfather owned it and My Mother used to live upstairs in it!! I have relations in sligo and coolaney,If you know anymore about the pub could you let me know!!!
Hey Val,
Just wanted to say that I really love your blog, and your flickr is brilliant
I was just wondering if you could drop me an email? Just wanted to pass something by you
Thanks!
Hi Val, just said I’d write a few lines to say hello! And thanks for the comment on my blog (re: giveaway) It is great to meet other bloggers here in Ireland, and I’m looking forward to a “good ‘aul read” of your posts!!
Hope you are well, and keeping warm! Emily X
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Hello! I just happened to search Sligo in google and your blog came across!
I wanted to tell you that your blog is very nice, keep on the good work!
Greetings from Mexico
Thank you Andrea
Do you sell your photos? I love dandilion clocks and adore the one on your home page. I’ll add you to my blogroll. :0)
What a lovely comment. I’m delighted
No I’ve never sold any of them, it’s just a hobby. One that I love though.
The ‘Crying Dandelion’ is absolutely stunning
Thank you
Hello there! I LOVE your photos, you have a fabulous eye for what will look good through the lens of a camera. I have a page on Facebook; my main aim being to promote Ireland as a tourist destination and I am always looking for beautiful photos of Ireland for that purpose. I used one of yours recently (found it on Google Images, apologies if I used it without permission, it said nothing about copyright). It was of an empty bench, in Autumn, beside what looks like a lake, taken in October 2007 (I think the same day you took a photo of your son running through Autumn leaves). A follower has asked me what the place is called and where it is … can you help me on this? Also, would it be OK with you if I use your beautiful photos in the future. They are certainly a perfect incentive for prospective visitors to Ireland. I look forward to hearing from you.
Hello, thanks for your message. Google has a bad habit of putting up my images without me knowing it. I had one end up in a National paper recently without my permission. I’m so glad you like the photos. I’d be grateful if you could let me know your Facebook page, I always hope that tourists might look at my photos and be inspired to come to Ireland. I’m pretty sure the photo is in Hazelwood Forest, Sligo but I won’t know for sure until I see it.
Hi Val
When I have time, I will have a read of your blog. Love the two photos at the top here. I keep a blog too if you want to check it out: http://jetblackliving.wordpress.com/.
Jet
I came across your blog when I check weather conditions, maps and photos in Accuweather regularly. Your photos are very nice and usually colourful. Thanks so much for sharing them with the world. Now I know a bit more about daily life (food, pets, family) in Ireland. Someone told me to start one, since I do some writing I am a mature person and even the internet is a new deal for me, but I seem to be able to surf and learn new things all the time. Bye, from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Thanks so much for your kind comment John. I can recommend doing a blog. I really enjoy doing mine.
Dear MagnumLady / Val ,
I was startled to learn of someone else — your son Jono — who has both Aspergers Syndrome and advanced kyphosis. Do you know of any professional literature which addresses this comorbidity? I’ve not been able to find any, but I have long thought it could be more than coincidence that these two pathologies would overlap in any one person. Thanks for any insight you can give, and may your son thrive and prosper.
(I don’t know that it has any bearing, but I have Irish ancestry.)
Respectfully yours,
Dean
Dear Dean,
Thanks for your message. I have never heard of anyone with Asperger’s and Kyphosis so I really don’t know if it’s connected or not. We didn’t really get an answer about what caused Jono’s kyphosis, although his sister has mild scoliosis (Jono also has scoliosis). So I’m guessing it’s hereditary.
I hope you are doing well. Jono is doing very well at the moment. He was really pleased to get his surgery as he was in severe pain before it. He still suffers with pain but at least he can breath OK now.
Kind regards,
Val
I am send Christmas and New Year’s Greetings to you and your family in Sligo from out in Alberta, Canada. It been so warm lately, will be plus 8 on Christmas Day, so there is NO snow this year. Usually, its -20 or worse by now. Haven’t seen any good weather photos from you in Accuweather, but since Ireland is ususally gray and misty this time of year, I can understand. Rocket is so nice and that photo of the man by the bridge (John) with the dog and rabbit really touched me. Thanks for that posting. Talk later in 2012.
Thanks so much for your kind message, it’s very mild here too
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Hi Val,
I had to wish you and your family a jolly, happy St Patricks Day!
The grass is still brown, but at least it not snowing today, but lots of folks wearing green, including myself. Office and bank workers did it yesterday already. Yes, they do have “green” beer and green shakes at McDonalds.
John Berry
Hi John, thanks very much
We had a lovely day.
Hi Val just saying hello..think I have come across your blog a few times before when I was not a blogger. Fine blog you have too!
Thanks so much
Yes have to agree a lot to do in Sligo and area’s enjoy get photo ops. Keep it up
Thanks Clive
Hi Val, I am FilbertSheep from IG and found your blog while looking up information on Sligo. Your photos are terrific and I am enjoying your “waffling.” I am moving from Oregon to Ireland in March & am searching for a place to settle. All the best, Marianne
Oh I’m so sorry your comment ended up in my spam folder
I hope you find a place, how exciting! Best of luck with the move, Val
Hello
I have looked at the picture of the village store you took in Dunmoran as detailed below
This photo was taken on January 16, 2009 using a Panasonic DMC-FZ30.
I am researching my ancestry, and was so pleased to find this picture. My mothers dad’s father William Breheney was born in Yorkshire, but his father Patrick BREHENEY either lived there, or his brother did, or both at one point. Patrick obvioulsy left to live in Yorkshire, and his brother stayed behind to run the shop. Records show two fishing boats still registered in the BREHENEY name in the area up until 2007.
I don’t suppose you know any history on the shop, or the Breheneys.
Also I would like to ask whether you do any paid work, as you seem to like to take pictures of derelict building.
On my mothers maternal side, the GAVAN’s in Sligo, there is a derelict family home I can only see from a rough track on google street view, and want to get a proper picture of the derelict house. If you do, I could email you the map for its exact loacation, but would need an email address
Your thoughts
Mark
Hi Mark,
Funny enough I took another photo of Breheny’s shop a few weeks ago. It’s on my Facebook page: http://magnumlady.com/2013/01/18/pilates-and-snow/ aparently there are still Breheny’s in Skreen. If you leave a comment under the photo hopefully someone will be able to help.
If you want to send me an address of the house you were looking for I’ll see if I can find it. My email address is: magnumlady@eircom.net
Hi Val, I think I’m going to enjoy this blog
I’m right with you on the car insurance thing!! Happy St Patrick’s Day to you and yours.
Thanks
Its St Patricks Day, again–tomorrow. Are you and the family doing anything special? I have noticed so many recipes for soda bread, cabbage, corned beef and, of course, green beer. Thats about the only thing green out here–with temeratures around -12 Celsius for a high. Have a great day in Sligo, and good luck. JB
Thanks JB. I’m going to the Sligo parade, that’s about it. No one in Ireland actually eats corned beef and cabbage, it’s bacon and cabbage here. I’m not a fan though so we’ll have something else
Hope you have a good day, Val
Hi Val, I’ve added you in a link-up for a Liebster blog award nomination. Accept it or not, as you will, but I believe others should enjoy your posts & wanted to direct them your way. Have a wonderful weekend, -j
http://humantriumphant.wordpress.com/2013/03/23/well-tickle-me-pink-blue-ive-been-presented-a-liebster-award-or-two/
Thank you
I shall get around to it soon 