Rain and Mass

20 Monday May 2013

Posted by magnumlady in Ireland, photos, sligo, weather

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ireland, Irish, mass, mid west radio, photography, photos, pray, praying, rain, sligo, weather

Yes it’s still raining. There doesn’t seem to be much of let up. I read on Facebook that Mid West Radio are holding a mass on Wednesday to pray for an improvement in the weather (I’m saying nothing):

Midwest Radio has today confirmed that a special mass will be broadcast on the station this Wednesday morning May 22nd to pray for an improvement in weather conditions.
Over the past number of months farmers have been facing a fodder crisis and with poor growing conditions continuing the immediate prospects for the agricultural sector remain bleak.
Today Midwest Radio confirmed that the mass will be celebrated at Saint Patricks Church, Ballyhaunis at 12 noon on Wednesday and the celebrant will be Father Stephen Farragher, the parish priest of Ballyhaunis.
In a statement released this evening Midwest Radio said that farming is at the heart and soul of everyday life in the region and that they were responding to numerous calls from listeners to be proactive in doing what they could to help farmers in their current plight.
Station Manager Tommy Marren said that they had no difficulty in broadcasting a special mass in the hope that it might lead to an improvement in weather conditions in the weeks ahead and he appealed to as many people as possible to attend it.
The mass will be broadcast live on Midwest Radio at 12 noon this Wednesday

Ten minutes in Hazelwood

18 Saturday May 2013

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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.

That’s just pants!!

16 Thursday May 2013

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abandoned, ireland, Irish, pants, sligo, underpants, y fronts

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

Meandering around Markree

15 Wednesday May 2013

Posted by magnumlady in Ireland, photos, sligo

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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

Saturday in Boyle

12 Sunday May 2013

Posted by magnumlady in Days out, Ireland, photos, weather

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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.

Cute kittens

12 Sunday May 2013

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animals, cats, cute, kittens, pets, rehoming, sligo, Sligo Animal rescue

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

A Wander around Union Woods

10 Friday May 2013

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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!

Hazelwood in the rain

09 Thursday May 2013

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flowers, forest, Half moon bay, hazelwood, ireland, Irish, lake, lough gill, photography, photos, sligo, woods

I had about twenty minutes to kill today and even though it was pouring with rain I headed to Hazelwood. I’m delighted I did because the bluebells are finally out.

The lake was very misty but had a magical feeling about it.

I know the feathers above are from the swans but I always think white feathers are a sign of angels

On the tv :)

08 Wednesday May 2013

Posted by magnumlady in Ireland, photos, sligo, weather

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ireland, Irish, Leitrim, photo competition, rte, sligo, television, tv, weather

I got an email today from RTE to say the photo above was a finalist in the Spring RTE weather photo competition. It will be shown on RTE 1 and 2 on Sunday May 12th at the weather bulletins. The photo was taken on March 20th, 2013 on the Sligo/Leitrim border.