Nativeguide

24/06/2024

🇮🇪 An unusual map of Ireland published 23 June 1888 by cartoonist "Tom Merry".

Entitled "Geography Bewitched, The false Ireland and the true. Erin strangling the hag of Hawarden [William Gladstone]". Learn more in our online catalogue: http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000181959.

24/06/2024

This week's features a beautiful map of Belfast Harbour. Created by Lawson, Duff and Henecy and published in 1789, the map is dedicated to the Earl of Donegall. It features an inset map of Belfast city, details of Carrickfergus and the sea approaches to Belfast Port and Harbour.

This map appears courtesy of the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee

24/06/2024

24/06/2024

The walled medieval city of Athenry, County Galway, is home to a 13th-century Dominican Abbey. These ruins are of the Priory Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.

Initially founded in 1241, Athenry Priory was burned in 1423, rebuilt then burned again in the 1570s. It was reborn as an institution of higher learning in 1644 then shut down by Cromwellian forces in 1652.

Friars last occupied these ornate ruins between 1685 and 1698. In the 18th century, it was used as a military barracks.

A monk's life certainly wasn't boring in Medieval Ireland!

24/06/2024

24/06/2024

Three-peat Paddy 🏆🏆🏆
Padraig Harrington claims his third win in a row at En-Joie GC at the DICK'S Open!

24/06/2024

This copy of a paper, read at the Royal Dublin Society in 1878, has recently been cleaned and catalogued by our team. The paper is made up of a list of cloudy patches of stars and what we would later call galaxies, made by our friends down at Birr Castle.

The handwritten note is by our fourth Director, Dr John Louis Emil Dreyer and says Quorum Pars Magna Fui, or "In which I played a great part". It makes sense as he had been the assistant astronomer at Birr and had performed many of the observations in the paper!

23/06/2024

23/06/2024

Summer Solstice Sunrise hike. 2018.
An unforgettable experience on Errigal Mt with Iggy and my brother Damian who had travelled over from London for the climb.
Myself and Herself had 5yrs of social media behind us at this stage, but it was this photo that really pushed Iggy into the limelight. It won a competition resulting in a serious upgrade to a Huawei P20 Pro phone with the best in the world camera back then and it caught the eye of some very eminent folk in the US, namely the Marilyn Monroe photographer, Elliott Erwitt and former Magnum Photos picture historian, Samuel Holmes. Both introduced to my work by Fiona Molloy Lepperd (musician) who herself has performed for world leaders and top brass Irish in the US.
6yrs later and Iggy (yes, and Frida!) has built up a huge following worldwide with her photos reaching half a million devices each month. With Iggy's and Frida's help, Facebook awarded us with the prestigious "Rising Creator" title which is like a Michelin Star going to the top 5% creators amongst the almost *3 Billion* monthly users.
Here's to another Summer Solstice with Iggy. ❤️

The Rusty Mackerel
Sligo Southern Hotel
Silkie Irish Whiskey

Donegal County Council
Go Visit Donegal
Visit Donegal
Discover Ireland
Tourism Ireland
Wild Atlantic Way

23/06/2024

23/06/2024

23/06/2024

Making history.

History maker 🙌

Teenager Alex Dunne becomes the first Irish driver to stand on a Formula 3 podium after finishing second in the sprint race at the Spanish Grand Prix 🏁

More 👉 bbc.co.uk/sport/motorsport/articles/c1dd4prmjd5o

23/06/2024

QUOTE OF THE DAY from the RESEARCH BOOK OF THE DAY: From The Wine Trade in Medieval Europe.

On 'red wine' and low alcohol wine.

" Black grapes were a necessity for this but even so these wines varied from those hardly coloured at all sometimes called 'gris' or 'grey' to the intensely dark black wine. The basic difference from the making of white wine was that fermentation could take much longer and that the tint could be varied by controlling the amount of contact between the must and the skins of the grapes. Removing the stalks from the grapes before pressing them was another way of controlling the type of wine finally produced; without the stalks the wine had less tannin and less acidity and was ready to drink more quickly. The picked grapes if the weather was very warm at the time of the harvest, could begin to ferment even before they were tipped in the vats. The rapid fermentation in the vats meant that it was very important for the vats not to be filled to the brim; otherwise they would overflow. It was also necessary to ensure that the men treading the grapes in the vats always had their heads well above the rim of the vat otherwise they could be overcome by the carbon dioxide produced by the fermented grapes. This did on occasion lead to the death of the men employed.
Once fermentation was well under way usually after a matter of hours the vats were covered over with planks. On the top of the fermenting must there collected what French wine makers called 'le Chapeau', all the skins, pips and other debris. The number of times this was pushed down into the must controlled the final colour of the wine; also important was the length of time the must was allowed to ferment in the vats. This could be varied by the vigneron and fermentation would also cease if the vats became too hot. The longer the period of fermentation the more heavily coloured the wine. What was known as 'vin clairet,' produced in the Bordelais largely for English customers, was like a modern rose wine. To make this, fermentation in the vats lasted usually no more than one or at the most 4 days. The wine was then drawn off into barrels. There is some evidence that the second stage of the process of the use of a wine press, was not commonly undertaken in the Bordelais until 1590. In other wine growing districts tinted wines drawn off like this straight from the vats were known as 'vin de goute'. Once this had been done, the crushed grapes and other matter remaining in the vats - the marc were lifted out by forks and taken to the wine press. Hear the marc could be pressed as many as 3 times with the resulting wine becoming more bitter with each pressing. Sometimes this second quality wine was mixed with the vin de goute; sometimes it was sold off more cheaply; sometimes it was used by the vigneron himself for the refreshment of his workers.
This was not, however the end of the process. The mess of crushed grapes and debris, by this time more or less devoid of any juice, could then be mixed with water in a container and left for 2 or three days. The result was a low alcohol 2 to 3 per cent barely coloured drink called by different names in different regions, piquette, boisson, retrovinum, bouvande, for example; it was drunk by workers or the poor or if the only alternative was water. Even this was not the final use made of the residues from the winemaking. The last remnants were used as mulch for the fields or mixed with straw and the like could be used as winter fodder for animals.

23/06/2024

Research picture of the day: Pembroke Castle, South Wales with William Marshal's great drum tower on the left. My photo collection.

23/06/2024

Summer solstice evening from Rathgall stone fort ☀️

23/06/2024

23/06/2024

Tomorrow night June 23rd is Bonefire Night. This image by Jack Yeats, so nothing much has changed since his time, or long, long before it.

23/06/2024

Watching The Sun Go Down
Loughcrew
Oldcastle
County Meath
Image By Willie Forde Photography

23/06/2024

Friday night’s Strawberry Moon rising over Ballycotton Lighthouse, East Cork

23/06/2024

Pilgrimage has long held a special place in the hearts of Irish people. 'Journeys of Faith' combines historical sources & archaeological evidence to explore the stories of medieval Irish pilgrims. Dr Louise Nugent also runs a popular blog.

Available here: https://columbabooks.com/shop/bestsellers/journeys-of-faith/

23/06/2024

Congratulations to our May Photo of the Month Winner : Gilbert Smyth for this wonderful photo of a fox and one of her cubs.

Huge thank you to everyone who entered and who took part in the voting!

To enter our June 2024 edition: please send your photo to [email protected].

⚠️⚠️ Please put "June Photo of the Month" in the subject line of the email. If you don't do this, there is the chance your entry will be missed.

Please add the date (dd/mm/yyyy) and the location (e.g. Co. Kilkenny) where the picture was taken. And if you have a social media page, please share it with us.

You can still of course share your amazing photos on our page; however to be considered for the Photo of the Month shortlist you must send it by email.

We are immensely grateful to every photographers that shares their images with us. It's always a joy to witness each unique moment of connection with Ireland's wildlife!

Good Luck Everyone

23/06/2024

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Ag maíomh a uaisle agus a fholaíochta - boasting of his nobility and descent

"Uasal" transcends the mere title of nobility, reaching into the essence of what it means to conduct oneself with honor. It is used to denote individuals who exemplify the qualities of a true gentleman or gentlewoman—those who carry themselves with an inherent grace, who treat others with a profound respect, and whose actions reflect a deep-rooted decency. "Is é an duine uasal é," one might say, recognizing someone as a real gentleman, not through birthright but through behavior.

Beyond personal conduct, "uasal" also describes things of noble nature—precious stones, noble metals, and fine clothes—implying a quality of exceptional worth and refinement. It extends even to expressions of thought and action: a "meon uasal" refers to a noble mind, while a "gníomh uasal" signifies a noble deed, highlighting the intrinsic value and elevated nature of these qualities.

In literature and speech, "uasal" is employed in a style that is elevated, enriching the language with a dignified eloquence that resonates with the cultural appreciation for eloquence and the art of discourse. This usage underlines how deeply intertwined the concept of nobility is with the cultural and linguistic expressions of the Irish people.

The word also carries mystical connotations, describing places that are sacred, hallowed, or even enchanted—spaces where the past lingers and where fairies are said to dwell. This aspect of "uasal" connects it with Ireland’s deep-seated spiritual and mythical heritage, imbuing certain landscapes with a transcendent, almost sacred significance.

As we reflect on "uasal," let us consider how we might embody its values in our daily lives. How can we strive to conduct ourselves with the nobility of mind and deed that "uasal" inspires?

23/06/2024

23/06/2024

23/06/2024

*** Medieval tally stick ***

12th century, Württembergische Landesbibliothek, Inventar-Nr. Cod. poet. fol. 33

That's where arithmetics began (and ended) for most people back in the age. Tally sticks were used in accounting and recording of numbers for various purposes.

23/06/2024

A jig composed by Joanie Madden, recorded Live at Bucknell University. Featuring Joanie Madden ~ WhistleMary Coogan ~ GuitarGrainne Murphy ~ FiddleMirella M...

23/06/2024

📚 Exciting news for families with children starting school this September!

The My Little Library initiative is back! If your child is starting school this year, here's what you need to know:
✅ Visit your local library
✅ Pick up a FREE My Little Library Book Bag (book is available in Irish or English)
✅ Join the library if you're not already members (the whole family can join too!)
This fantastic program helps build strong connections between children, families, and libraries. Book bags are available all summer, so don't miss out!
See you at the library! 📖💙

For more information visit https://www.librariesireland.ie/my

23/06/2024

💚💛Tramore Beach near Dunfanaghy, County Donegal. 💚💛
Also known locally as the 'secret beach' a beautiful location!
It is the ideal place to go for some peaceful thinking against the backdrop of spectacular scenery. No easy way to get there, no cars allowed, you have to hike across two kilometres of sand dunes to explore and enjoy this beach!

To reach Tramore head towards Horn Head, and once you cross the long low bridge near St. Michaels GAAA look out for the sign for the nearest Car Park on the left. From the car park walk through the gates and along the tree-lined pathway. Then follow the path for about 30 minutes walking. This will bring you to the beautiful 2 mile long Tramore Beach, a a peaceful and idyllic beach.

Nearby you have beautiful beaches in Kilahoey & Marble Hill in Dunfanaghy and you also have in the other direction Back Strand Falcarragh & Magheraorty Beaches.

📸 Gareth Wray Photography
🍀 http://book.discoverdonegal.ie/books/mwmu/ =2

**Fantastic news! Lonely Planet Travel Guide names Donegal #4 in the Top 10 Regions to Visit in 2024. We're officially one of the top destinations in the world!

23/06/2024

Posts about Lough Abisdealy written by Robert